Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Local Authority Over D.C. National Guard

Statement

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) yesterday introduced a bill to give the District of Columbia home-rule authority over the D.C. National Guard and strengthen the Guard itself. The bill, the District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act, would give the mayor of the District authority that governors have in their states over their Guards. However, in the case of the District, the mayor would be able to deploy the D.C. National Guard during local emergencies, including natural disasters and civil disturbances unrelated to national or homeland security, after consultation with the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard. The President of the United States would retain final authority over federal matters. Currently, only the President and the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard have the authority to deploy the D.C. National Guard for national and local purposes, respectively.

"The Mayor of the District of Columbia, the head of a jurisdiction with a population larger than several states, should have the authority to deploy the D.C. National Guard for local natural disaster and civil disturbances, particularly considering that the Mayor knows this city better than any federal official," Norton said. "Allowing the Mayor this authority would improve the city's ability to react quickly to emergencies, while still involving the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard in the decision-making process. The bill is a compromise that respects the federal government's authority while enhancing the District's ability to protect its citizens."

Norton earlier succeeded in getting authority for the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard, rather than only the President, to deploy the Guard in order to avoid the federal bureaucracy necessary to call up the D.C. National Guard.

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