To amend title 23, United States Code, to withhold certain apportionment funds from the District of Columbia unless the Mayor of the District of Columbia removes the phrase Black Lives Matter from the street symbolically designated as Black Lives Matter Plaza, redesignates such street as Liberty Plaza, and removes such phrase from each website, document, and other material under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia.

Bill Number

H.R. 1774

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2025-06-18T20:12:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill (H.R. 1774) aims to pressure the District of Columbia (DC) government to remove the phrase "Black Lives Matter" from a specific street designation and all official DC materials by tying federal transportation funding to compliance. It seeks to replace the current symbolic name "Black Lives Matter Plaza" with "Liberty Plaza."

Key Provisions

• Funding Withholding: The U.S. Secretary of Transportation must withhold 50% of the federal funds apportioned to DC under section 104(b) of title 23, United States Code (which covers highway and transportation programs), starting from the first day of each fiscal year after enactment if the DC Mayor does not comply.
• Compliance Requirements: Within 60 days of the bill's enactment, the DC Mayor must:
• Remove the phrase "Black Lives Matter" from:
• The street segment of 16th Street, N.W., between H Street, N.W., and K Street, N.W. (currently symbolically designated as "Black Lives Matter Plaza" under DC law from 2020).
• All websites, documents, and other materials controlled by the DC government.
• Redesignate this street segment as "Liberty Plaza."
• Legislative Changes: Adds a new section 180 to chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, and updates the chapter's table of contents to reflect this addition.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new federal condition on DC's transportation funding, which was not previously tied to symbolic street names or phrases in official materials.
• Overrides or conflicts with DC's local 2020 law designating the plaza, by mandating federal enforcement through funding penalties.
• Expands federal oversight into DC's local symbolic designations and administrative materials, amending the federal highway code (title 23) for the first time in this specific context.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The DC government could lose half of its annual federal transportation apportionments (potentially millions of dollars for road and infrastructure projects), straining local budgets and delaying projects. The U.S. Department of Transportation would handle enforcement and withholding.
• On Citizens: DC residents may face indirect effects from reduced transportation funding, such as poorer road maintenance or transit improvements. The change symbolically alters a public space in the nation's capital, which could affect community pride, tourism, or local identity tied to the original designation.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. and DC affairs.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• DC Government Officials: Primarily the Mayor, who is directly responsible for compliance, along with DC agencies managing streets, websites, and documents.
• DC Residents and Community Groups: Those who value the current plaza designation (e.g., civil rights advocates) or support the proposed change; broader impacts on local taxpayers via funding cuts.
• Federal Government: U.S. Department of Transportation for implementation; Congress for oversight of DC funding.
• Advocacy Organizations: Groups associated with the Black Lives Matter movement or free speech issues, potentially involved in legal challenges.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Could face challenges under the First Amendment (freedom of speech), as it compels the removal of a symbolic phrase from public spaces and materials, potentially viewed as government suppression of expression. Enforcement relies on DC's compliance with federal funding conditions, which might lead to lawsuits over federal overreach into local affairs.
• Constitutional: Raises questions about Congress's authority over DC under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution (which grants Congress exclusive legislation over the District), versus DC's limited home rule autonomy established by the 1973 DC Home Rule Act. This could test the balance between federal control and local self-governance.
• Political: The bill is introduced in a partisan context (by a Republican representative) and targets a high-profile, politically charged symbol from 2020 protests, potentially fueling debates on racial justice, federalism, and symbolic public policy without broader national application.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To amend title 23, United States Code, to withhold certain apportionment funds from the District of Columbia unless the Mayor of the District of Columbia removes the phrase Black Lives Matter from the street symbolically designated as Black Lives Matter Plaza, redesignates such street as Liberty Plaza, and removes such phrase from each website, document, and other material under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia. — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (3 pages)