Hill Heat

The Committee on Rules will meet Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET in H-313, The Capitol on the following measures:

• H.R. 8029 – Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act, to make FY26 DHS appropriations
• H. Res. 1128 – Expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security (“expresses gratitude to Department of Homeland Security employees, including law enforcement officers, agents, and civilian personnel for their unwavering commitment to protect the United States from those who seek to cause harm”)
• H.R. 7084 – Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026, “provides the President the authority to limit the entry of vessels into the United States who have called at ports, harbors, or marine terminals that were controlled by a United States person and have been nationalized or expropriated by an agency or official of the government of a Western Hemisphere trading partner” such as Mexico
• H.R. 5103 – Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act of 2026

Report from the Committee on Natural Resources to accompany H.R. 5103

H.R. 5103 is part of House Republicans’ broad and sweeping attack on Washington, D.C., home rule and self-governance. The bill is about advancing the crackdown and takeover of the District, not helping the National Park Service manage and maintain parks, memorials, and other federal properties in the city. Congress passed the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act (often called the Home Rule Act) on December 19, 1973. It was signed into law by President Richard Nixon five days later. This Act established a limited governing authority granted to an elected Mayor and the Council of the District of Columbia. Despite this progress, Washington, D.C.’s approximately 702,250 residents remain subject to federal authority and do not have voting representation in either the House or the Senate.

Washington, D.C.’s limited self-government has been under attack by President Trump and House Republicans. In the 118th Congress, the House has passed at least nine bills that undermine home rule and the sovereignty of the D.C. government, and Congress even inappropriately delayed access to more than $1 billion of D.C.’s own budget. President Trump then used concerns about crime to justify a federal takeover and crackdown, including the deployment of National Guard troops and broad immigration enforcement.

H.R. 5103 would double down on this overreach by codifying a Trump-created commission that lacks any representation from the District of Columbia government, allowing only federal representatives to discuss a range of policy issues, with a strong emphasis on boosting concealed carry and increasingly lawless immigration enforcement. When H.R. 5103 was included in a package of 13 measures related to Washington, D.C., marked up by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in September 2025, all of the elected members of the D.C. Council wrote that, ‘‘These bills represent an unprecedented attack on the autonomy and home rule of our local government’’ and ‘‘would result in an erosion of accountability and public safety for the District of Columbia.’’

It is outrageous to claim that promoting more guns and concealed carry permits will help lower crime rates. Crime is already going down thanks to local efforts. In 2024, violent crime in the District of Columbia dropped by 35%, to the lowest level in over 30 years. The Department of Justice noted a 32% reduction in homicides, a 39% reduction in robberies, and a 53% reduction in armed carjacking. Putting more guns on the street is not the answer. Concerning immigration, the Commission’s functions include developing and encouraging policies to maximize enforcement of federal immigration law within D.C., including policies to redirect available resources toward apprehending and deporting illegal aliens. It is also specifically charged with monitoring the District of Columbia’s sanctuary-city status and compliance with federal immigration law enforcement. This is a blatant attempt to advance a divisive immigration crackdown, not a serious attempt to ‘‘beautify’’ the capital city or support parks and memorials.

Staffing throughout the National Park Service also remains a significant concern. The agency has lost approximately 25% of its overall workforce since the beginning of last year, and more cuts are planned. This massive reduction affects the National Park System, including the National Capital Region, and H.R. 5103 does nothing to address the ongoing staffing shortfall. To make matters worse, the Trump administration recently announced a wage cut for certain park employees. The wage cut is also coupled with a new cap on performance ratings, intended to limit the number of employees receiving high ratings. Reports indicate that this will likely be used to help justify future reductions in force or terminations. Park staff and union representation have called both of these ‘‘legally dubious’’ and ‘‘a morale bomb.’’

When President Trump initiated the MAGA takeover of Washington, D.C., he told reporters that he intended to raise $2 billion to support his effort to ‘‘beautify’’ the District. Details about this plan, or any real money to back it up, have not materialized. At the committee markup of this bill, I filed an amendment to take the President at his word by authorizing robust funding for mental health services, food assistance, homeless support programs, and other essential community services. The amendment also included funding to bolster staffing at the National Park Service in the region. Unfortunately, this amendment was rejected by Committee Republicans, laying bare the bill’s true intentions. H.R. 5103 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing—not a genuine effort to support the citizens of Washington, D.C., or our beloved national parks.

JARED HUFFMAN,
Ranking Member.

Report from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to accompany H.R. 5103

The Minority strongly opposes the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act, which is another attempt to limit the District of Columbia’s (D.C.) home rule. This bill establishes a federal commission with sweeping authority over local matters that should be decided by D.C. residents and their elected representatives. As my colleagues know from their home districts, public safety priorities belong in local hands, not dictated by an Administration that won’t put our community’s unique needs first.

This legislation explicitly directs the commission to push D.C. to adopt the administration’s mass deportation agenda, which has caused chaos throughout our country and will force D.C. to abandon proven strategies. These policies undermine public safety. When hard-working immigrants fear deportation, they are less likely to report crimes—everyone becomes less safe as a result. This bill could lead to the destruction of trust that is needed to make communities safer.

The legislation recommends a surge of federal law enforcement presence without any consideration of its benefits and costs to communities. Republicans, who used to be the party of respecting state and local authority, are now advocating for a long-term plan to militarize D.C.’s streets.

According to a recent poll, 80 percent of D.C. residents oppose President Trump’s control of D.C. police and the surge of federal troops patrolling the streets.

Prior to President Trump’s order that micromanages D.C., most D.C. residents had a favorable outlook of the neighborhoods they live in. Congress should support partnerships that respect the local needs and the democratic principles of the local officials who make our communities safer and more secure.

ROBERT GARCIA,
Ranking Member.