National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 Technical Corrections Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
- Committees
- Oversight and Government Reform Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 13, 2026
Bottom line
This bill harmonizes federal survivor benefit rules for D.C. public safety officers and teachers with existing D.C. and federal employee standards, primarily benefiting domestic partners, older remarried survivors, and those with mixed D.C. and federal service.
What it actually does
This bill amends the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 to extend federal survivor benefits for District of Columbia police officers, firefighters, and teachers to domestic partners, aligning federal treatment with existing D.C. law. It also conforms the age limit for remarriage without losing survivor benefits to federal employee standards, allowing survivors aged 55 or older to remarry without penalty. Additionally, it permits individuals with qualifying D.C. service to make a deposit into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund to credit that service towards federal retirement benefits.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill corrects an inequity by ensuring that federal survivor benefits for D.C. police, firefighters, and teachers reflect modern family structures and align with benefits already provided by the District of Columbia and to other federal employees. It provides financial security to surviving domestic partners and ensures that those who remarry later in life do not lose essential support, recognizing their service and sacrifice.
Opponents contend
No organized opposition is typically raised against technical corrections that align benefits with existing law or rectify disparities. Potential concerns, if any, might revolve around the fiscal implications of expanding benefits, though these are likely to be minor given the specific scope.
The bill is concise and clearly written, allowing for a quick and thorough understanding of its provisions.
Section 2(a)
Extend Survivor Benefits to Domestic Partners
This provision amends the 1997 Act to ensure that federal benefit payments for survivors of D.C. police officers, firefighters, and teachers include domestic partners. It explicitly references D.C. laws (Omnibus Domestic Partnership Equality Amendment Act of 2008 and Teachers, Police, and Firefighters Retirement Benefits Amendment Act of 2018) that already recognize domestic partnerships for D.C.-paid benefits, effectively making federal benefits consistent with D.C.'s own treatment.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision rectifies an outdated disparity, ensuring that the federal government recognizes domestic partnerships for survivor benefits in the same way the District of Columbia already does. This provides equitable treatment and financial stability for families of public servants.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it aligns federal policy with established D.C. law regarding domestic partnerships and promotes fairness for survivors.
Tradeoffs
The primary tension addressed is the historical discrepancy between federal and D.C. recognition of domestic partnerships for survivor benefits. The bill resolves this by aligning federal policy with D.C. law, ensuring consistency and equity.
Section 2(b)
Modify Remarriage Age Limit for Survivor Benefits
This section changes the age at which a surviving spouse of a D.C. police officer, firefighter, or teacher can remarry without losing their federal survivor benefits. It aligns the rule with federal employee retirement programs, meaning benefits will not terminate due to remarriage if the individual is 55 years of age or older. An exception is added for survivors of judges who were married for at least 30 years, allowing them to remarry before age 55 without losing benefits.
Section 3
Allow Service Deposit for D.C. Retirement System
This section amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 to allow individuals with "qualifying District of Columbia service" to make a deposit into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. This deposit would ensure that their D.C. service is fully taken into account when computing federal retirement benefits under either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), including for survivor annuities.