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1 1 (April 20, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govelio0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional ____ S£ Research Service Congressional Disapproval of District of Columbia Acts: Overview of Selected Resolutions Updated April 20, 2023 The U.S. Constitution provides Congress with plenary legislative authority over the District of Columbia (DC) as the federal capital. With the passage of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-198, hereinafter the Home Rule Act), Congress granted limited home rule authority to DC, and it empowered DC residents to elect a mayor and city council. Pursuant to Section 601 of the Home Rule Act, Congress reserves the right, at any time, to exercise its constitutional authority as legislature for the District. The act also established a process by which Congress may review and disapprove of most laws enacted by DC before they take effect. On March 20, 2023, President Biden signed into law, H.J.Res. 26, Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022, which nullified DC Act A24- 0789. On February 9, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted H.J.Res. 24, which would have nullified DC Act A24-0640. H.J.Res. 24 did not receive floor consideration in the Senate. On April 19, 2023, the House adopted H.J.Res. 42, which would nullify A24-0781. Disapproval Process Most forms of local DC law are transmitted to Congress for a specified review or layover period. The length of the layover period differs based on the type of law the District has enacted (60 days for criminal legislation and 30 days for other acts). The layover period excludes Saturdays, Sundays, federal holidays, and days on which neither the House nor the Senate is in session because of an adjournment sine die or pursuant to an adjournment resolution. In practice, the start and end date of the review period is subject to the interpretation of the House or Senate Parliamentarian. Under the Home Rule Act, any Member of the House or Senate may introduce a qualifying joint resolution disapproving a DC law at any time after the law has been submitted to Congress and before the expiration of the layover periods described above. There is no limit on the number of resolutions that may be introduced. The act in question will take effect upon the expiration of the layover period, unless it is Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN12122 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress

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