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119-hr-5093119th Congress

District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act

Sponsored By: Representative Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Introduced

Summary

Mayor control of the D.C. National Guard. This bill would transfer command, officer appointments, activation authority, and courts-martial jurisdiction from the President to the Mayor, aligning the District with how states run their National Guards.

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  • District government: The Mayor would gain the core powers that governors have. That includes naming and commissioning officers, appointing the Adjutant General, managing procurement and fiscal officers, and deciding local call-ups.
  • D.C. National Guard members: Local leaders would handle promotions, retirements, training approvals, and courts-martial procedures. Deployment approvals and active-duty consents would include or require the Mayor.
  • Federal law and relations: The bill would amend Title 10 and Title 32 to treat the District like a state for Guard matters. It replaces references to the D.C. commanding general with the Mayor in processes such as Chief of the National Guard Bureau appointments, unit relocations, and counter-drug roles.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

DC can seek extra Guard help

If enacted, DC would count as a state for a federal National Guard “additional assistance” rule. The Mayor and DC government would be able to request that help, like states do. This could support DC Guard readiness and emergency response, which could help residents if aid is provided. The change would take effect upon enactment.

Mayor to control DC National Guard

If enacted, the Mayor would take command of the DC National Guard, like a governor does in a state. The Mayor would handle officer appointments, commissions, some retirements, and could call the Guard to duty. The Mayor would also need to consent to certain active-duty orders, unit moves, and training actions, and could convene general courts-martial. The Mayor would oversee supplies, some finances, and program operations for the DC Guard. These changes would take effect upon enactment and mainly affect Guard members and DC officials.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

DC • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 9/2/2025

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/15/2025

  • Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 10/10/2025

  • Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/3/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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