SJRES 68119th CongressIn Committee

A joint resolution disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Open Meetings Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.

Introduced: Jul 23, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] (R-Utah)

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This joint resolution (S. J. Res. 68) would disapprove the District of Columbia Council’s action to enact the Open Meetings Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 (DC Act 26-86). The DC act, approved by the Council on June 26, 2025 and transmitted to Congress on July 7, 2025, is described in the resolution as the District’s Open Meetings Clarification Temporary Amendment. Under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, Congress has the authority to review and disapprove local laws; if Congress passes this joint resolution, the DC act would not take effect. The measure was introduced in the Senate by Senator Mike Lee and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Key Points

1Purpose: The bill seeks to disapprove the District of Columbia Council’s Open Meetings Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 (DC Act 26-86).
2Mechanism: It invokes Congress’s authority under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to review and block local legislative actions through a joint resolution of disapproval.
3Content of the DC act: The Open Meetings Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 is described as clarifying open meetings requirements for the District (specific provisions are not detailed in the provided text).
4Timing and transmission: The DC act was enacted June 26, 2025 and transmitted to Congress on July 7, 2025.
5Status and sponsorship: Introduced in the Senate by Mr. Lee (Senator Mike Lee) and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; no further action noted in the provided text.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Residents and stakeholders in the District of Columbia, and DC agencies and boards subject to open meetings rules, who would be affected by whether the open meetings rules are clarified or maintained as enacted by the DC Council.Secondary group/area affected: The federal-government oversight role over DC home rule and the dynamics between Congress and the District’s local government; potential implications for transparency and public participation practices in DC.Additional impacts: Politically, this disapproval action reinforces Congress’s oversight over DC legislation; it could affect governance timelines, the implementation of any temporary provisions in the DC act, and potential litigation or policy debates around open meetings and public access.

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