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Will Congress Approve the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act?
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Key points
- HR 10396 and companion bill S 5396 aim to ban federal funding for permanent fencing at the U.S. Capitol complex.
- Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced the House bill to ensure the historic grounds remain open to the public.
- The legislation targets the Capitol buildings, complex grounds, and surrounding congressional properties.
NewsWK — Washington lawmakers are currently pushing to keep the nation’s capital open and accessible to everyday citizens.
Why it matters
Permanent security barriers around the Capitol distance citizens from their government. Therefore, this legislation ensures that taxpayers can freely visit these historic public spaces without facing permanent security barricades. But keeping the grounds open also preserves public access to the heart of American democracy for future generations.
What Is the Capitol Fencing Bill?
The Capitol fencing bill, formally known as HR 10396, bans federal funding for permanent fencing at the Capitol complex. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton officially introduced the House measure on September 15, 2026. Meanwhile, Senators Chris Van Hollen and Roger Wicker introduced a bipartisan companion, S 5396, in the Senate.
Why Does the Eleanor Holmes Norton Capitol Fence Ban Matter Now?
The Washington DC Capitol permanent fence ban ensures that the historic grounds remain open to the public. Previously, Norton introduced similar bills, including H.R. 5974 in the 118th Congress. She sought to prevent permanent security cordons after the January 6 Capitol attack.
Also, the proposed legislation specifically blocks permanent physical barriers at:
- The United States Capitol buildings themselves
- The broader Capitol complex grounds
- Other surrounding federal congressional properties
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Sources
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