Norton Secures Several Victories for D.C. in Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill Passed by House Appropriations Committee

Press Release

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that she secured several victories for the District of Columbia in the fiscal year 2023 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill passed by the House Appropriations Committee.

The report accompanying the bill:

Includes an annual Norton provision allowing sledding at the Capitol complex.
Directs the Capitol Police to enforce the prohibition on engines idling for more than three minutes, which Norton has requested.
While Norton requested a prohibition on the use of funds to install permanent, above-ground fencing at the Capitol Complex, which was not included, she is pleased the report accompanying the bill at least states: "In making security decisions about public access to the Capitol Grounds, the Committee reminds the Capitol Police Board that the Capitol Grounds are intended to be open to the public and are located in a residential neighborhood in the District of Columbia, and used by D.C. residents and visitors for recreation, leisure and transportation."

Norton introduced the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act, which would prohibit the use of federal funds to install permanent fencing at the Capitol complex. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the companion bill. Norton also hosted an expert roundtable on fencing at the Capitol complex.

In addition, Norton is pleased the report accompanying the bill directs the Architect of the Capitol to coordinate with the D.C. Department of Transportation on the Louisiana Bike Lane project.

"I am pleased with the victories for D.C. in this bill," Norton said. "However, I am disappointed that the report accompanying the bill continues to support the existing ban on electric scooters at the Capitol complex. Electric scooters are an affordable, environmentally friendly, and efficient mode of transportation. The positive benefits and promise of electric scooters warrant treating them like motorized bicycles, mopeds, and the other low-speed vehicles that are already permitted at the Capitol complex."

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