DC’s laws strongly protect women — but Congress is reasserting control

Washington, DC can pass its own laws, but Congress has the power to block or overturn them. This structural reality shapes nearly every area of women’s rights in the District. Over the past decade, DC has enacted strong local protections for women—including safeguards for reproductive healthcare, workplace nondiscrimination, and voting access—but those laws remain subject to congressional review, budget restrictions, and shifting federal priorities, often without input from DC residents themselves. In recent years, federal lawmakers have shown renewed interest in exercising that authority.

Why It Matters

For women living in DC, local protections can be shaped by federal decisions made by lawmakers they cannot fully vote for or against. DC does not have voting representation in Congress, despite Congress retaining authority over local laws. As a result, shifts in congressional priorities can directly affect rights in the District without input from the people most impacted—helping explain why protections in DC can feel strong locally, yet remain uniquely exposed to federal political change.

Background

Under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, DC has an elected mayor and council that can pass local laws. However, those laws are subject to congressional review. Congress can block them outright, overturn them after passage, or restrict their implementation through federal legislation or budget provisions.

Historically, Congress has exercised this authority selectively. But recent actions suggest a shift toward more assertive federal involvement. In 2025, members of Congress advanced legislation aimed at increasing federal oversight of DC governance, arguing that local leaders lack sufficient authority to manage public safety and other core functions. Lawmakers have also publicly questioned whether DC should retain control over key decisions, including law enforcement and emergency response.

These efforts follow a broader pattern: Congress has previously intervened in DC policy on reproductive healthcare funding, criminal justice reform, and voting rules—areas that directly affect women’s health, safety, and civic participation. While not every proposal advances, the frequency and framing of recent interventions signal a growing willingness to treat DC as a federal problem rather than a self-governing jurisdiction.

Resources

House Oversight Committee - Comer Announces Full Committee Markup of Legislation to Ensure a Safe and Prosperous District of Columbia
New York Times - Who’s in Charge of D.C.? Here’s What the Law Says. (paid subscription)