Government Accountability Office District of Columbia Home Rule Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5754

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-10-14: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Last Updated

2025-12-02T21:52:07Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, titled the "Government Accountability Office District of Columbia Home Rule Act," aims to eliminate the oversight powers of the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—an independent federal agency that audits and evaluates government operations—over the District of Columbia (D.C.) government. This would treat D.C. more like a local jurisdiction by removing federal audit and reporting requirements, promoting greater local self-governance under D.C.'s home rule framework.

Key Provisions

• Repeal of GAO Authorities in Federal Law (Title 31, U.S. Code):
• Amends Section 701 to exclude D.C. government from the definition of a "federal agency" for GAO purposes.
• Strikes Section 715 entirely, which previously required the GAO to conduct annual audits of D.C.'s financial statements and accounts.
• Modifies Section 717 to remove GAO's authority to evaluate D.C. programs and activities upon congressional request.
• Updates Sections 719 and 720 to eliminate requirements for D.C. government responses to GAO reports and inclusion of D.C. in GAO's congressional reporting.

• Conforming Amendments to D.C. Home Rule Act:
• Removes references to the GAO Comptroller General (head of GAO) from D.C. Mayor's annual budget submissions, performance accountability plans, and financial reports.
• Eliminates GAO's role in evaluating D.C.'s performance and financial accountability reports submitted to Congress.
• Repeals provisions for GAO audits of D.C.'s debt service payments, simplifying related laws by removing subsections.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• From Federal Oversight Perspective: Ends mandatory annual GAO audits of D.C. finances (previously required since the 1970s under home rule laws), shifting D.C. away from being treated as a federal entity for accountability purposes.
• From D.C. Reporting Perspective: D.C. officials no longer need to address GAO findings in budgets, plans, or reports to Congress, reducing federal involvement in local performance evaluations.
• These changes repeal or strike specific language in multiple sections of Title 31 and the D.C. Home Rule Act (Public Law 93-198), streamlining D.C.'s obligations while preserving congressional oversight through appropriations committees.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The GAO would lose jurisdiction over D.C., potentially freeing up resources for federal audits but reducing its role in monitoring local D.C. spending. D.C. government agencies could operate with less federal scrutiny, possibly leading to faster decision-making but increased reliance on internal or independent audits.
• On Citizens: D.C. residents might experience more localized accountability, as the D.C. Council and Mayor gain autonomy in financial and program management. However, this could raise concerns about transparency if federal checks are removed, affecting public trust in D.C. governance.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic federal-local relations within the U.S.
• Overall, it could enhance D.C.'s operational efficiency but might prompt Congress to introduce alternative oversight mechanisms.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• D.C. Government Officials: Mayor, Council, and agencies benefit from reduced federal reporting burdens and greater control over budgets and programs.
• Government Accountability Office (GAO): Loses authority and resources tied to D.C. oversight, affecting its workload and scope.
• U.S. Congress: Oversight and Government Reform Committee (where the bill was referred) and Appropriations Committees see changes in how they receive D.C.-related information; this could influence federal funding decisions for D.C.
• D.C. Residents and Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through potential shifts in local governance transparency and fiscal management.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Alters the balance of federal supervision established in the D.C. Home Rule Act of 1973, which granted limited self-government while retaining congressional authority. By repealing GAO provisions, it clarifies D.C.'s status as non-federal for audit purposes without challenging core home rule structures.
• Constitutional Implications: Touches on D.C.'s unique status under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution (which gives Congress exclusive legislative power over the District). This bill advances home rule by reducing executive-branch oversight via GAO, but Congress retains ultimate control, potentially avoiding constitutional conflicts.
• Political Implications: Represents a push for D.C. autonomy, often a partisan issue in Congress (e.g., debates over D.C. statehood or voting rights). It could set a precedent for further devolution of powers but might face opposition from those favoring federal checks to prevent mismanagement of federal funds allocated to D.C.

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

Sponsor

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

Recent Actions

• 2025-10-14: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• 2025-10-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-10-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Government Accountability Office District of Columbia Home Rule Act — issued 2025-10-14 — PDF (4 pages)