Norton Introduces Bill to Enable Commercial Filming at Capitol When Home and Senate are Out of Session

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) launched a invoice to allow business filmmaking and pictures all through the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Complex when each chambers of Congress are out of session. Currently, such filmmaking and pictures is permitted solely in Union Square. Norton’s invoice would offer an financial and patriotic enhance to the nation’s capital by permitting business filmmakers and photographers to showcase the Capitol in its fullest authenticity to the nation and the remainder of the world. 

The expanded business filmmaking and pictures can be topic to the identical circumstances and necessities that exist for business filmmaking and pictures in Union Square. Norton mentioned her invoice addresses any safety considerations by giving Capitol Police full discretion on when to problem permits. Norton’s invoice is a part of her effort to increase public entry to public areas, notably across the Capitol.

“It should be unthinkable to deny access to film the Capitol, one of our nation’s most iconic democratic symbols,” Norton mentioned. “Preventing business filming at one of many world’s most recognizable establishments is inconsistent with our nation’s values and makes little sense as a coverage. Allowing business pictures and filmmaking all through the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Complex would promote world understanding of our nation’s democratic establishments, whereas supporting financial development for D.C.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

 

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton On the Introduction of a Bill to Permit Commercial Filmmaking and Photography on the Grounds of the U.S. Capitol

January 20, 2026

Today, I introduce a bill that would permit commercial filmmaking and photography throughout the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Complex.  Currently, such filmmaking and photography is only authorized in Union Square.  Film and television productions that involve the Capitol should not have to go to other cities or use a fake building. 

This bill would allow commercial filmmaking and photography outside of the Capitol and congressional office buildings by permit, as long as neither chamber is in session.  The policy allowing commercial filmmaking and photography in Union Square shows that the Capitol Police can handle commercial filmmaking and photography at the Capitol Complex, especially when Congress is not in session. However, the Union Square vantage point captures the least familiar view of the Capitol.  Preventing commercial filmmakers and photographers from shooting throughout the Capitol Complex is neither business-friendly nor true to the nation’s democratic traditions.  Encouraging commercial filmmaking and photography at the Capitol would help spread the story of democracy around the world. 

This bill would give the Capitol Police complete discretion to issue a permit for commercial filmmaking and photography throughout the Capitol Complex under the same terms and conditions as those for commercial filmmaking and photography in Union Square.  No policy or security reasons exist to justify limiting commercial filmmaking and photography at the Capitol Complex to Union Square, especially considering that permits are necessary.  Visitors are regularly seen taking videos and pictures around the Capitol Complex, demonstrating the arbitrary nature of limiting commercial filmmaking and photography to Union Square. 

This bill would provide the Capitol Police authority to charge fees to cover any costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) for permit approval.  The fees would be deposited into the Capitol Trust Account, which was established to accept fees collected from commercial filmmaking and photography permits for Union Square.  Amounts in the Capitol Trust Account would be available without fiscal year limitation for maintenance, improvements and projects the AOC considers appropriate, subject to the approval of the Appropriations Committees. 

Views of the Capitol are among America’s most iconic. Limiting commercial filmmaking and photography of the Capitol, an important vehicle for telling the nation’s story, does not serve the American people. Commercial films and photographs of the Capitol, the seat of our democracy, are perhaps the best modern vehicles for telling the nation’s story and showcasing its democratic system of government. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bill. 

 

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