March 9, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 45 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER SALARY 
                             HOME RULE ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 9, 2020

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the District of 
Columbia Chief Financial Officer Salary Home Rule Act, which would give 
the District of Columbia the authority to raise the pay of its Chief 
Financial Officer (CFO). There is no reason the District should not 
have the authority to set the pay of every local official who is paid 
with local funds, as a matter of its existing home-rule authority.
  In 2013, Congress enacted a law that gave the District more authority 
to set the CFO's pay. However, Congress did not give D.C. full and 
complete authority over this local matter. This bill would give D.C. 
the authority to set the CFO's pay commensurate with its best judgment 
based on factors such as comparisons with similar positions elsewhere, 
the competitive market, and other factors generally used in determining 
pay. I was able to get at least some needed change in 2013 by amending 
the Home Rule Act to change the CFO's salary from a fixed rate of pay 
that was tied to a federal pay schedule to a maximum allowable pay, or 
ceiling, tied to a federal pay schedule. That ceiling was and is 
substantially higher than the fixed rate. However, D.C. should have 
full control over setting the salaries of its own employees.
  I introduced the 2013 bill after a D.C. CFO search committee 
indicated that the fixed rate of pay was not high enough to attract the 
best talent needed for this complex and demanding job. The 
responsibilities of the CFO, a position created by Congress, are unique 
in the United States. The CFO is extraordinarily powerful and 
independent. The District cannot obligate or expend funds without the 
CFO's approval, and the CFO can be terminated only ``for cause.'' My 
bill would not allow the CFO's salary to be lowered and maintains the 
``for cause'' termination provision, so as to preserve the independence 
of the position. The District needs the authority to pay the rate 
necessary to retain and attract the best CFOs, especially since the 
District must compete with the private sector for highly qualified 
CFOs.
  This is an important step to increase necessary home-rule authority 
for the District, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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