HR 1173119th CongressIn Committee

Equal Federal Funding for the District of Columbia Act

Introduced: Feb 10, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill would change how federal funds are allocated by treating the District of Columbia as if it were a state, and as if its government is a political subdivision of a state or a unit of local government, for purposes of determining eligibility for federal funding. In practical terms, DC could qualify for federal funds under programs that require applicants to be a state or a local government, and DC could be subject to the same funding rules and formulas that apply to states. The change is limited to federal funding eligibility and does not otherwise alter DC’s political status or representation. The amendment takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Key Points

1Adds a new Sec. 9 to Chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, establishing how DC is treated for federal funding eligibility.
2For purposes of determining eligibility for federal funds or the use of federal funds, DC shall be treated as a State and as any political subdivision of a State or unit of local government, unless otherwise provided.
3Clerical change: updates the table of sections to include the new Sec. 9.
4Effective date: the changes become applicable on October 1, 2026.
5Scope is limited to federal funding eligibility; it does not, by itself, change DC’s constitutional status or its representation in Congress.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: District of Columbia residents and the DC government, which could gain access to federal funds under state-like eligibility rules.Secondary group/area affected: Federal grant programs, states, and units of local government that administer funds or eligibility; may see shifts in which entities are eligible for certain programs.Additional impacts: Potential changes to budgeting and program administration, including alignment of DC funding with state funding formulas, and possible considerations in programs with matching requirements or formula-based allocations. The bill does not specify new appropriations, so any fiscal impact would depend on how federal programs apply the new eligibility rule.

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