H.R.1173 - Equal Federal Funding for the District of Columbia Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1173, the "Equal Federal Funding for the District of Columbia Act," seeks to amend Title 1 of the United States Code. The amendment would treat the District of Columbia as a state and any political subdivision of a state for the purpose of determining eligibility for and use of federal funds. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 10, 2025, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would likely increase the amount of federal funding allocated to the District of Columbia. This could lead to increased funding for various programs and services within the District, potentially improving infrastructure, education, and public services. The change would take effect on October 1, 2026.
Potential Benefits
- Increased federal funding for the District of Columbia.
- Potential improvements to infrastructure and public services in D.C.
- Enhanced educational opportunities for D.C. residents.
- Greater financial autonomy for the District.
- More equitable treatment of D.C. compared to other states in terms of federal funding.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential strain on the federal budget due to increased funding allocations.
- Possible objections from other states concerned about their own federal funding allocations.
- Concerns about the long-term financial implications of treating D.C. as a state for funding purposes.
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and administrative overhead.
- Possible legal challenges regarding the constitutionality of treating D.C. as a state without full statehood.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is complex. Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 grants Congress the power to exercise exclusive legislation over the District of Columbia. The bill does not explicitly violate this clause, but it does raise questions about the extent to which Congress can treat D.C. as a state without granting it full statehood. The equal protection principles may support the bill's intent to provide equitable funding, but the specific mechanism could be subject to legal challenges.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).