Eleanor Holmes Norton: “Just as lawyers have disagreed about whether or not the District could proceed with budget autonomy, lawyers have…”

“Just as lawyers have disagreed about whether or not the District could proceed with budget autonomy, lawyers have disagreed from the beginning of our Nation on what the Constitution says. I would take at his word what James Madison said in speaking of the District of Columbia: ``A municipal legislature for local purposes, derived from their own suffrages, will of course be allowed to them.'' That is what, according to Madison, the Constitution said. Now, my friends have cited all manner of lawyers and their own views on whether this matter is legal or constitutional. They have even cited the interpretation of staff who helped draft the Home Rule Act. Well, we stand this afternoon on the only authoritative opinion, the opinion of the Superior Court and its court order. And I leave with you that order. Ordered that all members of the Council of the District of Columbia, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey S. DeWitt, their successors in office, and all officers, agents, servants, employees, and all persons in active concert or participation with the Government of the District of Columbia shall forthwith enforce all provisions of the Local Budget Autonomy Act of 2012. That is the law. Respect the rule of law. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.”