Service Academies District of Columbia Equality Act

# Service Academies District of Columbia Equality Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would allow residents of Washington, D.C. to nominate candidates to the U.S. military service academies (such as West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy) on equal footing with residents of U.S. states and territories. Currently, D.C. residents have limited nomination rights compared to other Americans.

If passed, this would give D.C. residents the same access to nominating candidates for these academies as people living in the 50 states and U.S. territories. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects D.C. residents seeking admission to federal military service academies and the Congressional representatives who nominate candidates. It also impacts the military academies themselves and potentially the armed forces by expanding the candidate pool from the nation's capital. **Current Status:** The bill (HR 5971) was introduced in the 119th Congress by D.C.'s non-voting representative, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and remains in committee as of the last update. This means it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.