Rep. Norton seeks to give DC mayor control over National Guard for local emergencies

U.S. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) proposed legislation to give the District of Columbia home-rule authority over the D.C. National Guard.

This bill — filed as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020 — would give the D.C. mayor the same authority that the chief executives of territories and states have long had.

The House Rules Committee will consider the amendment this week.

“The District of Columbia mayor is the chief executive for our jurisdiction and has the best knowledge and most reliable expertise for deciding when to deploy our National Guard for local emergencies,” Norton said. “This amendment simply recognizes that reality and gives the District’s chief executive the same authority afforded to governors of states and the territories over their Guards. Because the District has experienced severe flooding in the past, we cannot afford to take chances given authoritative reports on climate change in the National Capital Region.”

Norton added that the mayor is in the best position to deploy the National Guard for local emergencies and situations, given her knowledge of the district. Currently, the President controls the D.C. National Guard for both federal and local purposes. Under Norton’s proposal, the President would retain authority over federal matters, such as terrorist incidents.

This is one of the bills that Norton has proposed as part of her “Free and Equal D.C.” push in Congress. The goal is to give D.C. expanded home rule and equality while simultaneously pursuing statehood.