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H.R. 5974House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act

To prohibit the use of Federal funds to install new permanent fencing around the United States Capitol, any of the Capitol Buildings, or any portion of the Capitol Grounds.

Sponsored by Eleanor Holmes NortonRep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)
Introduced October 17, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 12:19 PM UTC

The No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act bans the use of federal money to put up new permanent fences around the Capitol building, its other Capitol structures, and the Capitol grounds. It aims to prevent new permanent barriers from being funded with taxpayer dollars, affecting any federal agency that would otherwise spend such funds on fencing. Existing fences may still be repaired or replaced, but no new permanent fences can be built with federal funds.

Key Provisions

  • Prohibits any federal funding for the installation of new permanent fencing around the Capitol buildings or the Capitol grounds.
  • Allows repair or replacement of fencing that already existed when the law takes effect, but does not permit new permanent fencing.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee

October 27, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 17, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E983)

October 17, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

October 25, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee

October 27, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 25, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 5974

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 17, 2023

Ms. Norton introduced the following bill

October 25, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To prohibit the use of Federal funds to install new permanent fencing around the United States Capitol, any of the Capitol Buildings, or any portion of the Capitol Grounds.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act.

2.

Prohibiting use of funds for new permanent fencing around United States Capitol

(a)

In general

No Federal funds may be used to install new permanent fencing around—

(1)

the perimeter of any of the Capitol Buildings described in section 5101 of title 40, United States Code; or

(2)

the perimeter of the United States Capitol Grounds, or any portion thereof, described in section 5102 of such title.

(b)

Repair and replacement of existing fencing

Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to prohibit the repair or replacement of fencing that was in existence on the date of enactment of this Act around an area described in subsection (a).