119-HR-5920 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HR 5920 District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025
H.R. 5920 would add the District of Columbia to the Coastal Zone Management Act so D.C. can seek coastal‑resilience grants and exercise “federal consistency” review of federal actions affecting its tidal waters; the bill was introduced on November 4, 2025 and is at the House‑committee stage. [1]Congress.gov — H.R.5920 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov[2]NOAA — Federal Consistency | NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Headline Summary
Let D.C. qualify for coastal‑resilience dollars and oversight by adding it to the Coastal Zone Management Act.
What It Does
The bill changes the Coastal Zone Management Act’s definition of “coastal state” to include the District of Columbia. That would make D.C. eligible for federal coastal‑management grants and allow it to conduct “federal consistency” reviews—giving the city a formal say when federal activities or permits could affect its Potomac–Anacostia tidal waters. [1]Congress.gov — H.R.5920 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov[3]Legal Information Institute (Cornell) — 16 U.S. Code § 1453 — Definitions | LII[2]NOAA — Federal Consistency | NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Why It Matters
D.C. faces significant flood risks from rivers and intense rain. Local and regional planners have built tools and maps showing vulnerabilities across neighborhoods, roads, and transit—information that coastal‑program funding could help address. [4]District Department of Energy & Environment (D.C.) — Flood Inundation Mapping T…[5]Washington Post — New mapping reveals D.C. region’s growing vulnerability to fl…
Who’s For It
- Sponsor: Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D‑DC) says the change would unlock funding and give D.C. oversight of federal actions affecting its coastal waters. [6]Congress.gov — Congressional Record: Introduction of the District of Columbia F…
- Past House precedent: Similar language passed the House in 2019 as part of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act (H.R. 729). [7]Congress.gov — Congressional Record: Debate on H.R. 729 noting inclusion of D.C…[8]Congress.gov — H.R.729 — 116th Congress (2019–2020): Coastal and Great Lakes Co…
Who’s Against It
- Prior opposition (2019 minority views) argued D.C. is neither a state nor coastal and warned that expanding eligibility could open CZMA funding to inland jurisdictions along major rivers. [9]Congress.gov — H. Rept. 116-321 — District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of…
What’s Next
Status: Introduced November 4, 2025 and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Next steps would be a committee hearing/markup, possible House vote, and then consideration in the Senate. [1]Congress.gov — H.R.5920 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov
- [1] H.R.5920 — 119th Congress (2025–2026) | Congress.gov Congress.gov
- [2] Federal Consistency | NOAA Office for Coastal Management NOAA
- [3] 16 U.S. Code § 1453 — Definitions | LII Legal Information Institute (Cornell)
- [4] Flood Inundation Mapping Tool for the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers | DOEE District Department of Energy & Environment (D.C.)
- [5] New mapping reveals D.C. region’s growing vulnerability to flood risk | Washington Post Washington Post
- [6] Congressional Record: Introduction of the District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2025 Congress.gov
- [7] Congressional Record: Debate on H.R. 729 noting inclusion of D.C. Flood Prevention Act text Congress.gov
- [8] H.R.729 — 116th Congress (2019–2020): Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act Congress.gov
- [9] H. Rept. 116-321 — District of Columbia Flood Prevention Act of 2019 (Minority Views excerpt) Congress.gov
Discussion