Issa Elevates District Matters to Full Committee Level

DC politicians are praising Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, for his decision to move District of Columbia matters to the full committee. The move is seen as a signal that Issa will continue to take an active role in advocating for DC budget autonomy and other rights.

"I’m glad that someone who has proven to be a trustworthy partner in respecting our autonomy will be leading congressional handling of affairs that affect our city, and I look forward to working with him on the Height Act, budget autonomy and other efforts during the 113^th Congress," Mayor Vincent Gray said in a press release.

In the past several Congresses, a subcommittee considered issues or bills pertinent to the District of Columbia, which then might be moved out of subcommittee to the full committee for consideration.

The move came partly because the former subcommitee chair, Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), who had also supported the District on several issues, was moving to another commitee assignment. Issa brought the District under his control to provide "continuity," according to Roll Call. 

"The direct involvement of a chairman who wants to strengthen the city and its presence in the Congress cannot be overemphasized. Chairman Issa has his own DC budget autonomy bill, which mirrors my own, and he was immensely helpful this Congress not only in getting DC legislation through his committee, but also on matters concerning the District in the Congress," Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton said in a statement.

Both Norton and Gray thanked Gowdy for taking such an active role on the subcommittee.