By Robert Oliver (Guest Contributor)

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton hosted a community meeting at Lamond-Riggs Library on September 24, 2019. This meeting was one of her many engagements during the congresswoman’s “Norton in Your Neighborhood” tour in which she engaged residents about recent Congressional activity. A diverse crowd of 30 or more attended.

Congresswoman Norton arrived at 7:30 pm and discussed the latest breaking news–the impeachment inquiry against President Trump. She explained that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi authorized the inquiry after Democratic House members in swing districts overwhelmingly chose to support an impeachment inquiry. The conduct at issue is President Trump’s attempt to involve the government of Ukraine in a U.S. presidential election. Congresswoman Norton said the president initially withheld Ukrainian military funding and only released these funds after a whistleblower’s complaint emerged. She added a “quid pro quo” does not need to be stated. She added further that the president attempted to withhold the whistleblower’s complaint from Congress.

Congresswoman Norton provided the following responses to inquiries from the audience:

• No bipartisan support is needed to launch the impeachment inquiry.  Republican support is welcome but the Democrats control the House of Representatives.
• The impeachment inquiry is done first since it is the beginning step of the impeachment process.
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi authorized six investigative committees in order to review the evidence quickly.  Also, some Mueller report material is still outstanding.
• Congresswoman Norton has regained the power to vote in the Committee of the Whole but still cannot vote on the final passage of a bill.
• The House will pass the Washington, DC Admission Act, Bill H.R. 51, in this session. H.R. 51 allows for the admission of Washington, Douglas Commonwealth as a state of the United States of America.

Congresswoman Norton then addressed the status of DC Statehood. She said 218 House members support DC Statehood. She added that over 100 organizations will assist DC in lobbying the Senate, but, most Americans do not support DC Statehood according to a recent Gallup Poll. The Congresswoman is pursuing giving DC greater control over its National Guard, local prosecutors, and climate policy. Also, she is removing riders that conflict with DC interests on abortion and marijuana.

On issues closer to home, Fort Circle Park was mentioned twice. First, the residents of North Michigan Park and beyond have requested a safe, paved pedestrian path that links Gallatin and Galloway Streets and leads to the Fort Totten Metro Station. Congresswoman Norton acknowledged her awareness of the project. Second, an audience member suggested using the newly available cooperative management agreements (CMAs) between DC and NPS to fund recreational amenities for Fort Circle Park. Also, the Congresswoman noted that the safety of DCTAG, a DC student tuition assistance program, is a major priority.  

Lastly, the issue of gentrification was raised along with complaints about city services, over which the Congresswoman has no jurisdiction. She will forward these issues to Mayor Bowser and Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie as appropriate.

The meeting proved to be very informative, and we hope that Congresswoman Norton visits more often.