Make DC Square Again Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8455
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-22: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04T22:12:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Make DC Square Again Act" (H.R. 8455) aims to repeal a 1846 law that returned the county of Alexandria (now Arlington County and the City of Alexandria in Virginia) from the District of Columbia (DC) back to Virginia. It seeks to restore this territory to DC, citing constitutional concerns about the original retrocession, to align with the U.S. Constitution's vision of a 10-mile square federal district.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Declares that the Constitution's Enclave Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 17) grants Congress exclusive control over the federal district but does not authorize returning portions to states. It notes the 1790 cession of land from Maryland and Virginia for DC and calls the 1846 retrocession unconstitutional.
- Repeal: Fully repeals the Act of July 9, 1846 (9 Stat. 35), which retroceded the Alexandria area to Virginia.
- Restoration: Returns the territory—now Arlington County and the independent City of Alexandria—to DC.
- Governing Law Transition:
- DC laws apply to the restored territory starting on the effective date.
- Virginia laws stop applying, but:
- Property rights remain unchanged.
- Ongoing civil or criminal cases in Virginia courts can continue there.
- Effective Date: Takes effect on the first day of the first fiscal year after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Overturns the 1846 retrocession, reversing 178 years of Virginia jurisdiction over the affected area.
- Shifts legal authority from Virginia state law to DC laws, expanding DC's boundaries and federal oversight.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: DC government gains control over a large populated area (over 500,000 residents), increasing its size, tax base, and services. Virginia loses territory, revenue, and infrastructure responsibilities. Federal agencies may need to adjust operations in the expanded DC.
- Citizens: Residents of Arlington County and Alexandria lose Virginia state citizenship, voting rights, and services (e.g., state taxes, schools), gaining DC residency (no voting representation in Congress). Property owners retain ownership.
- International Relations: None directly mentioned or implied.
- Broader Effects: Could strain local governments during transition; major logistical challenges for services like policing, schools, and utilities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Residents of Arlington County and City of Alexandria: Direct loss of state benefits and change in governance.
- Virginia State Government: Loss of land, population, and revenue.
- DC Government: Gains territory but faces integration challenges.
- U.S. Congress and Federal Government: Expanded federal district under exclusive congressional control.
- Property Owners and Businesses: Protected rights but potential regulatory shifts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Challenges the validity of the 1846 Act under the Enclave Clause, potentially sparking lawsuits over federal power to alter ceded territory retroactively.
- Legal: Property protections and case continuations minimize immediate disruptions, but long-term disputes over taxes, contracts, or citizenship likely.
- Political: Revives debates on DC's boundaries and representation; echoes historical efforts (e.g., 1866 Senate bill) and could influence discussions on DC statehood or federal control. Highly controversial due to population and economic scale involved.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-22: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-22: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-22: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-22: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Make DC Square Again Act — issued 2026-04-22 — PDF (4 pages)