H. Griffith (R-VA)
Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Washington, D.C. Residents Voting Act," provides for the retrocession of the District of Columbia to the State of Maryland. The territory is ceded to Maryland provided that the State enacts legislation to accept the retrocession. However, a specific Federal District will remain under the exclusive legislative authority and control of Congress to serve as the permanent seat of the Government. The bill outlines changes to the National Guard, federal court renaming, and the transition of legal successors. It also addresses the continuation of benefits for various employees and the treatment of federal property.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Would students be better off under this?
The bill ensures the continued application of certain scholarship and college access acts for specific individuals.
- Scored +5
Would retired people be better off under this?
The bill provides for the continuation of federal retirement benefit payments for certain employees.
- Scored +5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill facilitates the retrocession of land from the Federal District back to the State of Maryland.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Voting Rights for Residents: The bill permits individuals residing in the Federal District to vote in Federal elections in the State of their most recent domicile (Section 221).
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Political Representation for Maryland: The current Delegate to the House of Representatives from the District of Columbia will serve as a member of the House of Representatives from the State of Maryland, providing the state with one additional Representative temporarily (Section 222).
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Protection of Retirement and Civil Service Benefits: The bill ensures that federal benefit payments under certain retirement programs and federal civil service benefits for specific employees continue (Sections 301 and 302).
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Continued Benefits for Legal Professionals: Employees of the Public Defender Service, the United States Parole Commission, and various court systems will continue to receive federal benefits (Sections 304, 305, and 306).
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Continuity of Educational Programs: The application of the College Access Act and the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act will continue for certain individuals (Sections 312 and 313).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Presidential Election Participation: The bill includes a provision that repeals the law providing for the participation of the seat of government in the election of the President and Vice-President (Section 223).
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Changes to Local Government Status: The legal status of the seat of Government as a municipal corporation will be terminated (Section 114).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill provides for the continuation of federal retirement benefit payments for certain employees. Would students be better off under this? — The bill ensures the continued application of certain scholarship and college access acts for specific individuals.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill facilitates the retrocession of land from the Federal District back to the State of Maryland.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill allows residents of the Federal District to vote in federal elections in their state of most recent domicile.
- 6/10/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House