Bill would double Congress's review window for DC laws to 60 days
Placed on the calendarH.R. 5183Latest action
Sponsor: Paul A. Gosar · Representative · AZ
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Government & democracy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The bill would extend congressional review of D.C. laws to 60 days and let Congress block mayoral orders too.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill would extend Congress's review period for most D.C. laws from 30 to 60 days, remove a shorter review track for certain criminal-law changes, and close a loophole allowing the Council to bypass review by repeatedly declaring laws "emergencies." It would also let Congress block part of a law instead of the whole thing, and newly allow Congress to review and block the Mayor's executive orders and regulations. It bars the Council from withdrawing laws from review or re-passing blocked laws without permission, and requires annual "state of the District" testimony from the Council Chair and Mayor.
Who does it affect?
D.C. residents and their local government would be affected, as would members of Congress on relevant House and Senate committees.
Why does it matter?
The changes would expand federal oversight of D.C.'s locally passed laws, executive actions, and regulations, giving Congress more control and additional review responsibilities.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedSep 8, 2025
- House committee
- House voteYou are here · Jan 27, 2026
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 396.