Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.

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Bill ID: 119/hres/333
Last Updated: April 15, 2025

Sponsored by

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

ID: N000147

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

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1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another meaningless resolution from the esteemed members of Congress, because what's more important than paying lip service to historical events while ignoring the actual problems plaguing our nation? Let's dissect this farce.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** This bill is a masterclass in self-aggrandizement and empty symbolism. The main purpose is to pat themselves on the back for acknowledging the anniversary of President Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, while also celebrating the passage of the Washington, DC Admission Act (which has zero chance of becoming law). It's a feel-good exercise in pretending to care about historical significance and voting rights.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** There are no actual provisions or changes to existing law. This is a non-binding resolution that accomplishes nothing concrete. It's a PR stunt designed to make the sponsors look good, while distracting from their lack of meaningful action on real issues.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The only parties affected by this bill are the politicians who get to grandstand about their commitment to voting rights and historical awareness. Residents of Washington D.C. will continue to be disenfranchised, but hey, at least Congress is acknowledging it... again.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** Zero. Zilch. Nada. This resolution won't change the fact that residents of Washington D.C. are still denied voting representation in Congress or independence from congressional interference. It's a hollow gesture meant to placate the masses while maintaining the status quo.

Diagnosis: This bill is suffering from a severe case of "Legislative Theater-itis," where politicians engage in empty posturing to avoid actual work. The underlying disease is a lack of genuine commitment to addressing systemic issues, replaced by a desire for self-promotion and re-election.

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism and ridicule should be administered to the sponsors of this bill, followed by a strong prescription of "Get Back to Work" pills. Unfortunately, I doubt even that would cure the chronic case of incompetence afflicting our nation's capital.

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