Make DC Square Again Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]
- Committees
- Oversight and Government Reform Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 22, 2026
Bottom line
H.R. 8455 seeks to reverse a nearly two-century-old land transfer, significantly expanding the geographical and population size of the District of Columbia by reincorporating parts of Northern Virginia.
What it actually does
This bill repeals the 1846 Act that retroceded Alexandria County (now Arlington County and the City of Alexandria) from the District of Columbia back to Virginia. It restores this territory to the District of Columbia, making DC's laws applicable to the area, while preserving existing property rights and allowing pending legal cases to conclude under Virginia law.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the original 1846 retrocession was unconstitutional, as the Enclave Clause does not grant Congress the authority to diminish the federal district once established. They contend that restoring the original "ten miles square" aligns with the framers' intent for a robust and independent seat of government, correcting a historical error and potentially strengthening the District's political standing.
Opponents contend
Opponents would likely argue that reversing a nearly 180-year-old act would cause immense legal, administrative, and social disruption for hundreds of thousands of residents who have lived under Virginia law for generations. They would assert that the retrocession was a settled matter, and that such a dramatic change would disenfranchise current Virginia residents and create chaos in governance, taxation, and public services.
The bill text is very short and straightforward, allowing for quick comprehension of its core intent.
Section 3(a)
Repeal of Alexandria Retrocession Act
This provision explicitly repeals the Act of July 9, 1846, which transferred the portion of the District of Columbia south of the Potomac River (Alexandria County) back to the State of Virginia. This is the foundational legal step for the bill's primary objective, aiming to reverse a historical legislative decision regarding the federal district's boundaries.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this repeal corrects a historical constitutional overreach by Congress, restoring the District of Columbia to its intended original boundaries as per the Enclave Clause.
Critics contend
Opponents would contend that repealing a long-settled act creates legal instability and disregards nearly two centuries of precedent and established governance.
Tradeoffs
The tension between a strict constitutional interpretation of historical acts versus the stability and practical implications of long-established legal and political arrangements.
Section 3(b)
Reincorporation of Arlington and Alexandria into DC
This provision mandates that the territory previously retroceded, specifically identifying the current Arlington County, Virginia, and the independent City of Alexandria, Virginia, is restored to and becomes part of the District of Columbia. This directly alters the geographical boundaries of both jurisdictions, significantly expanding DC's physical size and population.
Section 3(c)
Application of DC Law and Preservation of Rights
This section establishes that upon the Act's effective date, District of Columbia laws will apply to the restored territory, and the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia will cease to apply. It includes two critical exceptions: all existing property rights remain undisturbed, and any civil or criminal proceedings pending in Virginia courts on the effective date may be concluded in those courts as if the Act had not been enacted.
Section 3(d)
Delayed Effective Date
This provision stipulates that the Act will take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of its enactment. This delay is intended to provide a transition period for the affected jurisdictions and residents to prepare for the significant legal, administrative, and social changes mandated by the bill.