H.R. 5183 · Where this bill is now
Waiting for a House vote
Approved by committee Jan 27, 2026; no House vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExtends congressional review of DC laws
The District of Columbia has special rules where Congress can review and reject DC's laws and executive actions. Right now, most DC laws get 30 days of congressional review, but criminal laws get 60 days. This bill would make all DC laws (except emergency ones) go through the same 60-day review period. It also gives Congress the ability to reject emergency law extensions and specific parts of laws, and it sets up a similar 60-day review process for DC's executive orders and regulations.
How it affects you
This mostly affects people and businesses in Washington, D.C., since they're the ones governed by DC laws. Under this bill, they'd experience longer waits for new DC laws to take effect while Congress completes its review. It also means Congress would have more power to block or change DC's laws and regulations compared to before.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 8, 2025)
District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act
This bill establishes a uniform 60-day period of congressional review for all nonemergency legislation enacted by the District of Columbia (DC). It also authorizes congressional disapproval of DC regulations and other executive actions, specific provisions in legislation, and extensions of emergency legislation.
Currently, DC legislation is generally subject to a 30-day period of congressional review during which time Congress may enact a joint resolution of disapproval to nullify the legislation. Legislation involving criminal law is subject to a 60-day period of congressional review. Emergency legislation is not subject to congressional review.
The bill applies a 60-day period of congressional review to all DC legislation other than emergency legislation. It also authorizes Congress to nullify (1) extensions of emergency DC legislation, and (2) one or more discrete provisions in DC legislation. The bill prohibits the DC Council from withdrawing legislation that it has transmitted to Congress for review or enacting legislation that is substantially the same as legislation that Congress disapproved.
The bill also establishes a 60-day period of congressional review for DC executive orders and regulations according to procedures comparable to those for legislation.
The bill additionally specifies the procedures for expedited consideration of joint resolutions of disapproval for DC legislation in each chamber, particularly the Senate.
Finally, the bill requires the DC Mayor and the chair of the DC Council to present a report on DC to specified congressional committees at least once every calendar year.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5183
A BILL
District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ-9) · Introduced Sep 8, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jan 27, 2026: “Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 396.”