HR 4670119th CongressIn Committee

To subject emergency legislation enacted by the District of Columbia Council to expedited congressional disapproval procedures.

Introduced: Jul 23, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large] (R-Wyoming)

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill would subject emergency legislation enacted by the District of Columbia Council to expedited congressional disapproval. Specifically, it amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to (1) require that emergency laws take effect only if Congress does not disapprove them within a 90-day window via a joint resolution, and (2) reorganize the process for emergency acts so that any act the Council says should take effect immediately due to an emergency would take effect immediately upon enactment, but the act’s sponsor (the Chairman of the Council) must promptly transmit that act to the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate within three session days. In short, the bill tightens and speeds up how Congress can review and potentially disapprove DC emergency legislation.

Key Points

1Expedited congressional disapproval window: Emergency DC Council legislation would take effect after 90 days unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval under section 604 before that period ends.
2Emergency acts with immediate effect: The bill creates a framework where an emergency act transmitted by the Council Chairman that should take effect immediately would do so upon enactment, rather than after a waiting period.
3Prompt congressional transmission requirement: For such immediate-effect emergency acts, the Council Chairman must transmit the enacted Act to the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate within 3 session days of enactment.
4Revisions to the Home Rule Act sections: Changes are made to sections 412(a) and 602(c) to implement these procedures, including redesignating and adding new subsections to accommodate the emergency-disapproval framework.
5Procedural focus over substance: The bill does not create new DC emergency powers; it changes the process by which Congress can review and potentially block or limit emergency DC laws.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: District of Columbia residents and local government (DC Council, including the Chairman who transmits acts to Congress). The change directly affects how quickly emergency local laws become effective and how Congress can react.Secondary group/area affected: United States Congress (House and Senate), particularly leadership (Speaker and President pro tempore) and committees with jurisdiction over DC affairs. It introduces a fast-track disapproval mechanism for DC emergency legislation.Additional impacts: Local businesses and residents may experience changes in how swiftly emergency measures can take effect and be subject to federal review. The overall balance between DC home rule and federal oversight would be shifted toward greater federal procedural control over emergency actions, potentially affecting DC's ability to respond rapidly to local crises. Constitutional and jurisdictional considerations could arise given the ongoing federal role in DC governance.

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