Legal Definitions - District of Columbia

The District of Columbia, commonly abbreviated as D.C., is the federal capital territory of the United States. It serves as the permanent seat of the U.S. government, strategically located along the Potomac River, bordered by the states of Maryland and Virginia. The District of Columbia holds a unique legal status: it is neither a state nor a traditional territory, and its governance falls under the direct and exclusive authority of the U.S. Congress, as established by the Constitution.

Here are some examples illustrating the nature of the District of Columbia:

• Imagine a scenario where the local government of the District of Columbia passes a new law regarding traffic regulations. Unlike laws passed by a state legislature, this D.C. law might still be subject to review, modification, or even rejection by the U.S. Congress before it can fully take effect.

  This example demonstrates that the District of Columbia is "constitutionally subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Congress." Even though it has its own local government, Congress retains ultimate authority over its laws and affairs, reflecting its unique federal status.

• Consider the annual State of the Union address, where the President of the United States speaks to a joint session of Congress. This significant event always takes place within the U.S. Capitol Building, which is located in Washington, D.C.

  This illustrates D.C.'s role as "the seat of the U.S. government." Key functions of the executive and legislative branches, along with many other federal agencies, are permanently housed within the District, making it the central hub for national governance.

• A person living in the District of Columbia pays federal income taxes, just like residents of any U.S. state. However, when it comes to representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, D.C. residents elect a non-voting delegate, rather than a full voting member of Congress.

  This highlights that the District of Columbia is "neither a state nor a territory." While its residents contribute to the federal system, their lack of full voting representation in Congress underscores its distinct constitutional status, different from that of a sovereign state.