Washington, D.C., celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Home Rule Act, a pivotal law signed by President Richard M. Nixon on Christmas Eve, which granted the district authority over local governance and established the office of the Mayor. The act ended a century-long period during which D.C. had been governed by unelected leaders appointed by the president, a system preferred by an alliance of White Washingtonians and Southern conservatives in Congress for a city with a growing Black population. Despite the progress, the Home Rule Act's limitations are evident as D.C. still lacks full control over local matters. On this anniversary, Mayor Bowser reflected on the achievements made under the Home Rule, while the OversightDems reiterated their support for D.C. statehood to further the district's autonomy.
“Before the home rule law, D.C. had been governed by unelected leaders appointed by the president, a system preferred by an alliance of White Washingtonians and Southern conservatives in Congress for a city with a growing Black population.” https://t.co/NA5fmwnyBp
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the D.C. #HomeRuleAct, the legislation that gave D.C. authority over local matters and established the office of the Mayor! In honor of the anniversary, @OversightDems proudly reaffirm our commitment to championing #DCstatehood.
On Christmas Eve a half-century ago, President Richard M. Nixon, losing his grip on power by the day, signed a law giving Washingtonians power over their own government for the first time in 100 years. But it wasn’t a total win for local control. https://t.co/y7cBUKbB1U
50 years ago today, the DC Home Rule Act created a local government for Washington, DC. And in the past 50 years, even though our Home Rule has been limited, we have been able to achieve so much. https://t.co/UaG1MivcW2
D.C. finally won home rule 50 years ago — but its limits remain. @ffrommer https://t.co/KJxgESbMxx