Make DC Square Again

Summary#

This bill would repeal the 1846 Act that returned part of the federal capital back to a state. It says the land that now makes up Arlington County and the independent City of Alexandria would be restored to the federal capital. On the date the law takes effect, the federal capital's laws would apply there and the state's laws would stop applying, with two exceptions: existing property rights would remain the same, and civil or criminal cases already pending in state courts could finish in those courts. The bill sets the law to take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year after enactment. The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

What it means for you#

• If you live in the affected area (Arlington County or the City of Alexandria), the bill would make those areas part of the federal capital again.
• Laws and rules from the federal capital would apply there after the bill takes effect.
• State laws would stop applying there except that current property ownership would not change.
• Ongoing civil or criminal cases in state courts tied to that area could be finished in those state courts.
• The law would not take effect immediately; it becomes effective the first day of the first fiscal year after it is enacted.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

Supporters say the Constitution limits the federal capital to a ten-mile square and does not allow returning parts of it to states. The bill's findings state that the 1846 retrocession violated the Constitution's intent and cite past efforts in Congress to repeal that retrocession.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.