Congressman Paul A. Gosar (AZ-09) has introduced H.R. 5183, the District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act, a bill aimed at increasing Congressional oversight over the D.C. Council and its legislative actions. The legislation was advanced through committee markup on September 10, 2025.
Gosar stated, “Under the Constitution’s District Clause, Congress retains ultimate responsibility for the governance of the District of Columbia. Yet in recent years, the D.C. Council has advanced a series of dangerous soft-on-crime measures, including efforts to slash criminal penalties, weaken law enforcement, and defy previous Congressional disapprovals.”
He continued, “H.R. 5183 restores much-needed balance by extending the congressional review period for all D.C. Council legislation from 30 to 60 legislative days before it can take effect. Public safety comes first. Too often, the D.C. Council rushes through radical measures that disregard safety and defy common sense.”
The bill also aims to prohibit the D.C. Council from reintroducing or passing bills similar to those previously disapproved by Congress. “If Congress rejects a bad idea, the Council should not get another chance to sneak it through,” Gosar said.
Additionally, Gosar’s proposal seeks to prevent what he describes as abuse of emergency waivers by restricting their extension when used to bypass Congressional oversight: “Washington, D.C. deserves a transparent government, not one that hides controversial measures behind so-called ’emergency waivers.’ My bill also prevents the Council from extending emergency waivers that have been abused to sidestep Congressional oversight and adopt policies that have nothing to do with genuine emergencies.”
Another provision would require an annual report and hearing from the D.C. Council before Congress: “This commonsense step will ensure that the federal district is governed in a manner that reflects its residents and its unique role as our nation’s capital,” according to Gosar.
“The D.C. Council has shown time and again that it cannot be trusted to put public safety first,” he added.” My bill makes it clear: Congress has a constitutional obligation to ensure our nation’s capital is safe, stable, and governed responsibly.”
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee considered H.R. 5813 during its September session along with other proposals focused on improving public safety in Washington, D.C., addressing juvenile crime rates and expanding educational opportunities for local children.
Paul Gosar was reelected in both 2022 and 2024 general elections with significant majorities against his opponents Richard Grayson (97.8% vs 1.8%) and Quacy Smith (65.3% vs 34.7%).
