D.C. Home Rule

By: Miriam Edelman

D.C. residents have limited self-governance called home rule for just over 50 years, although the District of Columbia is treated as a state in over 500 ways. 

Congress (led by Democrats) and President (Republican) created this arrangement that took effect in 1974.

Home rule can be modified or even eliminated. Recently, Members of Congress introduced legislation that would end D.C. home rule.

Only D.C. is subject to this type of governance in the U.S.

Municipal government of D.C. includes an elected Mayor, an elected 13-member Council (up to two of the four non-Chair at-large members can be nominated by the same political party), and elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners.

Every state National Guard is controlled by its state Governor, but the President, not the D.C. Mayor, is in charge of the D.C. National Guard.

Riders, provisions in federal appropriations bills for D.C. that Congress uses to impose its views on the nation’s capital, have been utilized since D.C. gained home rule. Riders relate to abortion funding, money in politics, and more.

Unlike state judges who are chosen by a state action (i.e. – appointment by Governor, appointment by state legislature, elections), D.C. judges are appointed by the President.

Legislature of the U.S. (Congress) reviews almost all D.C.-government-passed bills before they can become law. D.C.’s emergency bills and D.C.’s resolutions do not go through Congressional review.

Equality will not be achieved for D.C. residents until D.C. becomes a state.

Washington, D.C., should be a state. Unequal treatment must end.