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H.R. 8539 116th Congress House

District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act

Official title: To reduce the size of the seat of the Government of the United States to the area comprised of the principal Federal monuments, the White House, the United Sta… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To reduce the size of the seat of the Government of the United States to the area comprised of the principal Federal monuments, the White House, the United States Capitol, the United States Supreme Court Building, and the Federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the United States Capitol, to provide for the retrocession of the remaining area of the District of Columbia to the State of Maryland, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 6, 2020 Introduced by: Dusty Johnson Republican · South Dakota See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Congressional districts and representationCongressional electionsDistrict of ColumbiaElections, voting, political campaign regulation
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Government buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment studies and investigationsHouse of RepresentativesLand transfersLegislative rules and procedureMarylandMembers of CongressState and local courtsState and local government operations
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 6, 2020
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Oct 6, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 6, 2020

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act

This bill cedes the District of Columbia to Maryland after Maryland's acceptance of the retrocession. Furthermore, the bill declares that the National Capital Service Area in the District shall not be ceded and relinquished to Maryland and shall continue to serve as the permanent seat of the federal government. The bill maintains the exclusive legislative authority and control of Congress over the area.

Finally, excluding the District Building, the area shall include the principal federal monuments, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, the federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the U.S. Capitol, and the Frances Perkins Building, including any portion of it north of D Street NW.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 472 Reintroduced Bill District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act
  • HR 8516 Compact Federal District Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 8539: District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8539/
MLA
"H.R. 8539: District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8539/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 8539, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8539/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 8539: District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-8539/)
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