Norton Introduces Bill to Make D.C. Eligible for Two Transportation Programs

Statement

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced the District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act, which would make D.C. eligible for two federal transportation programs in the same manner that states are currently eligible. The bill would treat D.C. as a state in the High-Density States Formula for certain grants from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund and for the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program. D.C. is not eligible for the former and is treated as a territory for the latter.

Norton, chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, included this bill this year in the House's surface transportation reauthorization act, the INVEST in America Act, but the version of the surface transportation reauthorization act that was enacted into law, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the Senate wrote, did not include it.

In addition to introducing her bill to grant D.C. statehood, Norton has introduced bills to reduce the federal government's control over local D.C. matters and to expand D.C. equality. This bill is the 19th Norton has introduced this Congress in her Free and Equal D.C. Series.

Norton's introductory statement follows.

I rise to introduce the District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act. This bill would make the District of Columbia eligible for two federal programs that support the development and revitalization of public transportation systems in the same manner that states are currently eligible for these programs. D.C. residents pay the same federal taxes as residents of the states, and D.C. should be treated as a state in federal programs.

First, the bill would treat D.C. as a state in the High-Density States Formula for certain grants from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund. Currently, only states are eligible for these grants. Second, the bill would treat D.C. as a state under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities program. Currently, each state is authorized to receive $1.75 million annually and each of D.C. and the territories are authorized to receive $500,000 annually.

The programs in the bill fund the modernization of bus and rail fleets, the purchase of zero-emission transit vehicles, the improvement of station accessibility for all users and the extension of transit service to new communities. They especially benefit communities of color, since these households are twice as likely to use public transportation.

The House-passed surface transportation reauthorization act, the INVEST in America Act, would have made D.C. eligible for these two programs in the same manner as states. Unfortunately, the enacted surface transportation reauthorization act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the Senate wrote, did not.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill to provide funding for effective, efficient and sustainable transportation options for D.C. in same manner as states.

Free and Equal D.C. Series:

The District of Columbia Government Accountability Act (H.R. 6090) would repeal the Government Accountability Office's authority over D.C.
The District of Columbia Bridges Home Rule Act (H.R. 5979) would repeal a law that makes it a crime for a person in D.C. to block a bridge connecting D.C. and Virginia.
The District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment Home Rule Act (H.R. 5825) would give D.C. the authority to appoint all members of the Board, except when the Board is performing functions regarding an application by a foreign mission with respect to a chancery.
The Flood Prevention Act (H.R. 5784) would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to include D.C. in the definition of a coastal state and make the District eligible for funding and oversight for federally issued permits, facilities and actions to respond to floods and mitigate flood risk.
The Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act (H.R. 5570) would remove the Commission's authority over D.C. property and private property in D.C.
The National Capital Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act (H.R. 5144) would remove the Commission's authority over D.C. property.
The District of Columbia Zoning Commission Home Rule Act (H.R. 5002) would give D.C. the authority to appoint all members of the Commission.
A bill to permit the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of the Mayor of the District (H.R. 4368).
The District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act (H.R. 4206) would give the District exclusive authority to grant clemency to offenders convicted under its local laws.
The District of Columbia Non-Discrimination Home Rule Act of 2021 (H.R. 4023) would eliminate the applicability of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to the District.
The District of Columbia Federal Officials Residency Equality Act of 2021 (H.R. 3786) would require certain federal officials who serve the District to live in the District.
The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act District of Columbia Equality Act of 2021 (H.R. 2452) would amend both laws to make D.C. eligible for the same federal funding as states under both laws.
The District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer Salary Home Rule Act (H.R. 1204) would give D.C. the authority to set the maximum salary for the D.C. CFO.
The District of Columbia Parole and Supervised Release Act (H.R. 658) would give D.C. the authority to make parole and supervised release determinations for D.C. Code offenders.
The District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act (H.R. 657) would give the D.C. Mayor the authority to deploy the D.C. National Guard.
The District of Columbia Police Home Rule Act (H.R. 656) would eliminate the president's authority to federalize the D.C. police department.
The District of Columbia Legislative Autonomy Act (H.R. 411) would eliminate the congressional review period for D.C. bills.
The District of Columbia Prosecutor Home Rule Act of 2021 (H.R. 281) would give D.C. the authority to prosecute all crimes committed under its local laws.

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