House Lawmakers Approve Amendment to Defense Spending Bill Giving DC Mayor Command of City’s National Guard

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, District officials, and federal partners hold a public safety briefing on preparations for the upcoming 59th Presidential Inauguration, in Washington, on Jan. 15, 2021. Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post

The U.S. House of Representatives on July 13 voted to adopt an amendment to the annual defense spending bill that hands command of the capital city’s National Guard over to the mayor of Washington, D.C.

The measure (pdf) was approved in a mainly party-line vote of 218–209 to be added to the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).