DC Vote condemns the “BOWSER Act” as a direct attack on DC Home Rule
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 6th, 2025
PRESS CONTACT:
Daniel Solomon
DC Vote, Co-Founder
202-365-5400
[email protected]
Washington, DC – Today, DC Vote today forcefully denounced the introduction of the “Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident (BOWSER) Act,” introduced by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN). If passed, this legislation would effectively repeal the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, stripping away the rights of nearly 700,000 residents to govern themselves.
“This bill flies in the face of basic democratic principles by revoking DC’s limited local autonomy,” said Daniel Solomon, Co-Founder of DC Vote. “The District’s residents have fought too hard and too long for self-governance to see it dismantled by Members of Congress who do not answer to the people of DC.”
Under the Home Rule Act of 1973, DC residents gained the ability to elect a mayor and city council—a milestone that ended more than a century of direct congressional control. The proposed BOWSER Act would roll back these critical gains, allowing Congress to regain full oversight and micromanage local governance.
“Make no mistake: This bill is a thinly veiled attempt to punish DC for political differences under the guise of public safety,” Solomon added. “We all agree that public safety is paramount, but dismantling home rule will do nothing to make our communities safer. Instead, it will silence the voices of DC residents and threaten the progress we’ve made on criminal justice reforms, economic growth, and local accountability.”
DC Vote rejects the notion that repealing home rule will solve the District’s challenges. Local leaders, not distant politicians in the Capitol, are best positioned to address community needs and to work with residents on practical solutions that ensure security and prosperity for all. Moreover, no other American community faces the same threat of having its local autonomy revoked at a moment’s notice.
“The District is not a colony, and DC residents are not second-class citizens,” said Daniel. “We deserve the same rights and freedoms that every American expects, including the right to self-government and a vote in our federal legislature.”
DC Vote calls on all Members of Congress to recognize the fundamental importance of self-determination and to reject the BOWSER Act. Our organization remains committed to advocating for full voting rights, local control, and, ultimately, statehood for the District of Columbia.
About DC Vote
DC Vote is a national, nonpartisan organization dedicated to securing full voting representation in Congress for residents of the District of Columbia, along with complete control over local affairs. For more information, visit www.dcvote.org.
CONTACT
Daniel Solomon
DC Vote, Co-Founder
202-365-5400
[email protected]
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