Introduction of the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduced the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act. This bill is necessary to prohibit the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) from exercising authority over non-federal property in the District of Columbia.

Under presidential executive orders (EOs) and federal law, the CFA has review authority for D.C.-owned parks and buildings, as well as certain private land in D.C. Under the relevant EOs, CFA has review authority for the design of D.C.-owned parks and buildings. Under the Shipstead-Luce Act, CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in the District ``adjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance,'' such as Rock Creek Park and the Potomac riverfront. Under the Old Georgetown Act, the CFA has review authority for the design of private buildings in the part of Georgetown referred to as ``Old Georgetown'' in the act. The members of the CFA are appointed by the President.

The federal government, including the CFA, has no business in local land-use policies and decisions. Not only is the federal government's authority over D.C. buildings and private property anti-democratic, it also delays and increases the cost of public and private development in the District.

This is an important step to increase home rule for the District, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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