Bills · HR 5179
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5179Presidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsDistrict of Columbia
District of Columbia Attorney General Appointment Reform Act of 2025
INTRO SEP 8· LAST ACTION SEP 30
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters to voters because it directly impacts the level of self-governance for the District of Columbia. If it becomes law, it would take away D.C. residents' ability to choose their own chief legal officer through elections, a right they gained through the D.C. Home Rule Act. Instead, the city's top lawyer would be a presidential appointee, serving at the President's discretion and whose term would align with the President's.
This change could significantly alter the priorities and independence of the D.C. Attorney General's office, potentially shifting its focus from local D.C. issues as determined by the city's voters, to broader federal priorities or the agenda of the appointing President. Voters who support D.C. self-determination would see this as a step backward, while those who advocate for greater federal oversight of the nation's capital might view it as beneficial.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The Attorney General for the District of Columbia would be appointed by the President of the United States.
This provision fundamentally changes who selects the top legal official for the District of Columbia, transferring power from local voters to the President.
PROVISION 02
The D.C. Attorney General would serve "at the pleasure" of the President, meaning the President could remove them at any time, and Senate approval would not be required for their appointment.
This significantly impacts the D.C. Attorney General's job security and political independence, making them directly accountable to the President rather than D.C. voters.
PROVISION 03
The term of office for the D.C. Attorney General would coincide with the term of office of the President.
This aligns the leadership of the D.C. Attorney General's office with the federal administration, potentially leading to more frequent changes in leadership with each presidential election.
PROVISION 04
The term of service for the individual currently serving as the Attorney General for the District of Columbia would end on the date the bill becomes law.
This ensures an immediate transition from the current elected official to a Presidentially appointed one upon enactment of the bill.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
22
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
6 EVENTSSEP 30
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-316.
SEP 30
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 270.
SEP 10
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
SEP 10
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 20.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 5179
Congress119th
StatusReported
IntroducedSep 8, 2025
Last actionSep 30, 2025
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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 8, 2025
House BillHR 5179Presidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsDistrict of Columbia
District of Columbia Attorney General Appointment Reform Act of 2025
INTRODUCED SEP 8, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 30, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
