Story perspectives

Rep. McCormick Pushes Bill to Reverse 1846 Retrocession

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) introduced the Make DC Square Again Act to reverse the 1846 retrocession of Arlington County and Alexandria.
The bill claims Congress lacked authority to cede the land in the 1800s and says it would end an artificial advantage for Virginia Democrats.
D.C. delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Virginia Democrat Don Beyer and legal scholars called the measure unconstitutional and a voter-suppression tactic that disenfranchises Virginia voters.

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Story summary

Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) introduced the Make DC Square Again Act to reverse the 1846 retrocession of Arlington County and Alexandria.
The bill claims Congress lacked authority to cede the land in the 1800s and says it would end an artificial advantage for Virginia Democrats.
D.C. delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Virginia Democrat Don Beyer and legal scholars called the measure unconstitutional and a voter-suppression tactic that disenfranchises Virginia voters.