Mark Meadows: “I would like to thank the gentleman from Utah, Chairman Chaffetz, for his strong statement in support of H.R. 5233, the…”

“I would like to thank the gentleman from Utah, Chairman Chaffetz, for his strong statement in support of H.R. 5233, the Clarifying Congressional Intent in Providing for DC Home Rule Act of 2016. As we begin debate on this important bill, I would like to first take the opportunity to reiterate that I firmly believe that the Local Budget Autonomy Act is, indeed, unlawful and null and void. The Home Rule Act clearly provides that the District's budget shall pass through the Federal appropriations process, preserving Congress' role in the passage of that budget. However, because of the precedent that allowing the District to usurp the congressional authority may set, and the potential negative consequences that the District government employees may face for enforcing the Local Budget Autonomy Act, I have introduced H.R. 5233. I would further say that my good friend, the Delegate from the District of Columbia, Ms. Eleanor Holmes Norton, indeed is a friend, and I appreciate her passionate way that she always represents her constituency. While we disagree on the debate and the merits of that debate, I can't help but acknowledge my friendship with her and, truly, her passion for the people who she serves. H.R. 5233 will repeal the Local Budget Autonomy Act and reinforce Congress' intended role in the budgetary process. As many of you know, Congress was granted that exclusive legislative authority over the District in Article 1, section 8, clause 17.…”