To amend title 23, United States Code, to withhold certain apportionment funds from the District of Columbia unless the Mayor of the District of Columbia removes the phrase Black Lives Matter from the street symbolically designated as Black Lives Matter Plaza, redesignates such street as Liberty Plaza, and removes such phrase from each website, document, and other material under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia.
Summary
HB 1774 would amend title 23 of the U.S. Code to condition a portion of federal highway apportionment funds for the District of Columbia on the city removing the phrase “Black Lives Matter” from Black Lives Matter Plaza and from related District-controlled websites, documents, and other materials. The bill would also require the District to redesignate the street segment currently symbolically named Black Lives Matter Plaza as “Liberty Plaza.”
Under the bill, the Secretary of Transportation would withhold 50 percent of the amount otherwise apportioned to D.C. under section 104(b) at the start of each fiscal year beginning after enactment if the Mayor has not complied within 60 days. The measure would add a new section to chapter 1 of title 23 and make a conforming clerical amendment to the chapter analysis.
Impact
The bill would create a new federal funding condition tied to District of Columbia compliance with a naming and signage requirement, affecting the distribution of highway apportionment funds under title 23. It would not broadly rewrite D.C. law, but it would pressure the District to change a symbolic street designation and remove references to “Black Lives Matter” from official materials by threatening a substantial reduction in federal transportation funds.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or recorded vote is available in the provided materials, so there is no direct evidence of debate or bipartisan support. Based on the bill text and its referral status, the measure appears to be a politically charged proposal centered on opposition to the existing Black Lives Matter Plaza designation, likely drawing support from those favoring the renaming and criticism from those who view the funding condition as punitive or as targeting a symbolic expression.
Contention
The main point of contention is the use of federal highway funds as leverage to force the District of Columbia to remove a politically significant phrase from a street name and official materials. Supporters would likely frame the bill as restoring a more neutral or patriotic designation by renaming the plaza to Liberty Plaza, while opponents would likely object to federal coercion, interference with local naming authority, and the targeting of Black Lives Matter symbolism. The bill also raises broader concerns about whether transportation apportionments should be used to enforce unrelated political or cultural objectives.
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