INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JUROR PAY PARITY ACT

INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JUROR PAY PARITY ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 43 (Monday, March 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 43 (Monday, March 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E198] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA JUROR PAY PARITY ACT ______ HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON of the district of columbia in the house of representatives Monday, March 9, 2026 Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia Juror Pay Parity Act, which would require D.C.'s local trial court, the Superior Court, to pay jurors the same amount federal courts pay jurors. Currently, the Superior Court pays jurors the same amount federal courts pay jurors, but the Superior Court has sometimes paid less. Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, Congress assumed responsibility for funding the local D.C. courts. The local D.C. courts, however, have always been under the direct control of Congress, even when they were funded by D.C. The D.C. Home Rule Act prohibits the D.C. Council from enacting any law with respect to any provision of Title 11 of the D.C. Code (relating to the organization and jurisdiction of the local D.C. courts). Under Title II, the Board of Judges of the Superior Court sets juror pay. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. ____________________