Legis Daily

Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act

USA119th CongressHR-3877| House 
| Updated: 6/10/2025
H. Morgan Griffith

H. Morgan Griffith

Republican Representative

Virginia

Judiciary Committee, Armed Services Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act," proposes the retrocession of most of the District of Columbia's territory to the State of Maryland. This retrocession is contingent upon Maryland enacting legislation to accept the territory, followed by a presidential proclamation. A smaller, specifically defined "Federal District" will remain under the exclusive legislative authority and control of Congress, serving as the permanent seat of the United States Government. The new Federal District will encompass key federal landmarks such as the White House, Capitol Building, Supreme Court, and adjacent federal office buildings, with its precise boundaries detailed in the bill. Upon retrocession, the legal status of the former District of Columbia as a municipal corporation will terminate, and the State of Maryland will become the legal successor for all matters in the ceded territory. Maryland's criminal and vehicular traffic laws will apply within the Federal District, functioning as federal laws for that area. The legislation mandates the transfer of the District of Columbia National Guard's personnel and assets to the Maryland National Guard, and makes numerous conforming amendments to federal law regarding the National Guard. It also renames federal courts, such as the "United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia" to the "United States Court of Appeals for the Federal District," and adjusts residency requirements for certain federal officials. Existing federal property will remain under U.S. title, while former District property will transfer to Maryland. A significant provision allows individuals residing in the new Federal District to vote in federal elections by absentee ballot in their most recent state of domicile. The bill repeals the Office of the District of Columbia Delegate, with the current Delegate temporarily serving as an additional Representative for Maryland until the next reapportionment. Furthermore, it repeals the law enabling the seat of government to participate in presidential and vice-presidential elections, addressing the implications of the 23rd Amendment. The bill ensures the continuation of federal benefit payments for certain District of Columbia retirement programs and federal civil service benefits for eligible employees. It also maintains benefits for employees of the Public Defender Service, the U.S. Parole Commission, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, and the D.C. courts, often with the federal government assuming employer contribution responsibilities. Additionally, programs like the D.C. College Access Act and Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act will continue for current beneficiaries. Federal planning commissions, including the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, will have their scope and composition adjusted to reflect the new Federal District and the ceded territory. The Army Corps of Engineers will continue its role in water supply for both the Federal District and the retroceded areas. The bill also clarifies that existing legal requirements for entities to be located in the "District of Columbia" will be satisfied by their location in the new Federal District or the territory ceded to Maryland.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-980
Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act
Jun 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Jun 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-980
    Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act


  • June 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • June 10, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Government Operations and Politics

Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act

USA119th CongressHR-3877| House 
| Updated: 6/10/2025
This bill, titled the "Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act," proposes the retrocession of most of the District of Columbia's territory to the State of Maryland. This retrocession is contingent upon Maryland enacting legislation to accept the territory, followed by a presidential proclamation. A smaller, specifically defined "Federal District" will remain under the exclusive legislative authority and control of Congress, serving as the permanent seat of the United States Government. The new Federal District will encompass key federal landmarks such as the White House, Capitol Building, Supreme Court, and adjacent federal office buildings, with its precise boundaries detailed in the bill. Upon retrocession, the legal status of the former District of Columbia as a municipal corporation will terminate, and the State of Maryland will become the legal successor for all matters in the ceded territory. Maryland's criminal and vehicular traffic laws will apply within the Federal District, functioning as federal laws for that area. The legislation mandates the transfer of the District of Columbia National Guard's personnel and assets to the Maryland National Guard, and makes numerous conforming amendments to federal law regarding the National Guard. It also renames federal courts, such as the "United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia" to the "United States Court of Appeals for the Federal District," and adjusts residency requirements for certain federal officials. Existing federal property will remain under U.S. title, while former District property will transfer to Maryland. A significant provision allows individuals residing in the new Federal District to vote in federal elections by absentee ballot in their most recent state of domicile. The bill repeals the Office of the District of Columbia Delegate, with the current Delegate temporarily serving as an additional Representative for Maryland until the next reapportionment. Furthermore, it repeals the law enabling the seat of government to participate in presidential and vice-presidential elections, addressing the implications of the 23rd Amendment. The bill ensures the continuation of federal benefit payments for certain District of Columbia retirement programs and federal civil service benefits for eligible employees. It also maintains benefits for employees of the Public Defender Service, the U.S. Parole Commission, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, and the D.C. courts, often with the federal government assuming employer contribution responsibilities. Additionally, programs like the D.C. College Access Act and Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act will continue for current beneficiaries. Federal planning commissions, including the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts, will have their scope and composition adjusted to reflect the new Federal District and the ceded territory. The Army Corps of Engineers will continue its role in water supply for both the Federal District and the retroceded areas. The bill also clarifies that existing legal requirements for entities to be located in the "District of Columbia" will be satisfied by their location in the new Federal District or the territory ceded to Maryland.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-980
Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act
Jun 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Jun 10, 2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-980
    Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act


  • June 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • June 10, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
H. Morgan Griffith

H. Morgan Griffith

Republican Representative

Virginia

Judiciary Committee, Armed Services Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted