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H.R. 980: Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act


We don’t have a summary available yet.

The summary below was written by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan division of the Library of Congress, and was published on Mar 24, 2023.


Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act This bill cedes certain portions of the District of Columbia (DC) to Maryland while retaining other portions as the Federal District, which falls under the exclusive legislative authority and control of Congress and serves as the permanent seat of the federal government. Maryland must accept this retrocession for it to take effect.

The Federal District shall consist of a designated geographic area and specified properties including, the principal federal monuments; the White House; the U.S. Capitol; the U.S. Supreme Court Building; the federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the U.S. Capitol; and the Frances Perkins Building, including any portion of it north of D Street NW. The bill also maintains the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property.

In addition, the bill (1) applies current Maryland criminal laws and laws that regulate Maryland vehicular traffic to the Federal District, (2) continues pending judicial proceedings, and (3) repeals requirements providing for participation of the seat of the federal government in elections of the President and Vice President.

The bill also temporarily continues certain federal authorities and responsibilities that pertain to DC, including regarding employee benefits, agencies, courts, and college tuition assistance.