H.R. 7196: To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to prohibit the Council of the District of Columbia from enacting any law to permit euthanasia and assisted suicide in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.
Sponsor
Tom Barrett
Republican · MI-7
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jan 22, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Why it matters
Introduced on January 22, 2026, H.R. 7196 would immediately strip the District of Columbia of its ability to allow physician-assisted dying by repealing the Death With Dignity Act of 2016 and barring any future D.C. law that permits or eases penalties for euthanasia or assisted suicide.
H.R. 7196 amends section 602(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, at sec. 1–206.02(a) of the D.C. Official Code, to take one issue off the table for local lawmakers: euthanasia and assisted suicide. The bill says the Council of the District of Columbia may not enact any "act, resolution, rule, regulation, guidance, or other law" that permits conduct covered by section 3(a) of the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997, codified at 42 U.S.C. 14402, or that reduces penalties tied to that conduct.
What does H.R. 7196 do?
Repeals D.C.’s 2016 Death With Dignity law
The bill expressly repeals the Death With Dignity Act of 2016, cited as sec. 7–661.01 et seq. in the D.C. Official Code. That means D.C.’s existing legal framework for physician-assisted dying would be wiped off the books if H.R. 7196 becomes law.
Amends Home Rule Act section 602(a)
H.R. 7196 amends section 602(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, listed as sec. 1–206.02(a), D.C. Official Code. This is the mechanism Congress uses to tell the D.C. Council that it cannot legislate in this area in the future.
Blocks any D.C. law permitting assisted suicide
The prohibition is broad: the D.C. Council may not enact any "act, resolution, rule, regulation, guidance, or other law" permitting conduct covered by section 3(a) of the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997, 42 U.S.C. 14402. That referenced federal statute covers health care items, services, or health insurance coverage used for the purpose of causing, or assisting in causing, the death of any individual, including assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing.
Also bars reducing existing penalties
The bill does not just ban legalization. It also prohibits the D.C. Council from passing any measure that would reduce the penalties imposed with respect to activity covered by 42 U.S.C. 14402(a). In plain terms, D.C. could not soften punishment for euthanasia or assisted suicide under local law.
Preserves four specific end-of-life exceptions
The bill says the prohibition must take into account section 3(b) of the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997, 42 U.S.C. 14402(b). That subsection protects 4 categories from being treated as assisted suicide: (1) withholding or withdrawing medical treatment or medical care, (2) withholding or withdrawing nutrition or hydration, (3) abortion, and (4) pain relief intended to alleviate pain or discomfort even if it may increase the risk of death, so long as it is not furnished for the purpose of causing death.
Targets D.C. only, not all states
The bill’s jurisdiction is the District of Columbia, not the 50 states. It was introduced on 2026-01-22 and focuses specifically on the Council of the District of Columbia, using Congress’s authority under the D.C. Home Rule Act rather than creating a nationwide assisted-suicide ban.
Who benefits from H.R. 7196?
Opponents of assisted suicide in D.C.
They would get a federal backstop preventing the D.C. Council from enacting any act, resolution, rule, regulation, guidance, or other law to permit euthanasia or assisted suicide. The bill also repeals the Death With Dignity Act of 2016, which is the concrete policy change many opponents want.
Health care providers who object to participating
Doctors, hospitals, and other providers opposed to assisted dying would benefit from the repeal of D.C.’s sec. 7–661.01 et seq. framework and from the bill’s ban on future D.C. legalization. The measure also preserves the 4 exceptions in 42 U.S.C. 14402(b), making clear that ordinary pain management and withdrawal of treatment are still distinct from assisted suicide.
Families worried about pressure at end of life
Families concerned that vulnerable relatives could feel pushed toward assisted death would see D.C.’s existing 2016 law repealed and any future legalization blocked. The bill also bars reducing penalties connected to conduct described in 42 U.S.C. 14402(a), which signals a tougher legal posture.
Members of Congress favoring tighter control over D.C. law
Supporters of stronger federal oversight of the District would benefit because H.R. 7196 uses section 602(a) of the Home Rule Act, sec. 1–206.02(a), to carve out another area where D.C. cannot set its own policy.
Who is affected by H.R. 7196?
D.C. residents seeking physician-assisted dying
They would lose access to whatever legal pathway currently exists under the Death With Dignity Act of 2016, sec. 7–661.01 et seq. If the bill passes, D.C. could not pass a replacement law, rule, or guidance permitting that practice.
The Council of the District of Columbia
The Council’s lawmaking power would be narrowed by an amendment to section 602(a) of the Home Rule Act, sec. 1–206.02(a). It could not enact any act, resolution, rule, regulation, guidance, or other law that permits or lowers penalties for conduct covered by 42 U.S.C. 14402(a).
Doctors and health systems in the District
Providers would have to stop operating under the repealed 2016 D.C. framework for aid in dying. At the same time, the bill leaves intact the 4 exceptions in 42 U.S.C. 14402(b), so withdrawing treatment, withdrawing nutrition or hydration, abortion, and pain relief intended to ease suffering are not swept into the ban.
D.C. advocates of home rule
They are affected because the bill is another example of Congress overriding a locally enacted District policy. Instead of letting D.C. decide its own end-of-life law, H.R. 7196 would impose a federal prohibition tied to 42 U.S.C. 14402 and repeal a local law enacted in 2016.
H.R. 7196 Common Questions
Can Congress repeal D.C.'s Death With Dignity Act of 2016?
Yes. Under H.R. 7196, the Death With Dignity Act of 2016 is expressly repealed if the bill becomes law (SEC. 1(b)).
Does H.R. 7196 ban assisted suicide in Washington, D.C.?
It bars the D.C. Council from enacting any law that permits assisted suicide or euthanasia covered by 42 U.S.C. 14402 under H.R. 7196 (SEC. 1(a)).
Can the D.C. Council reduce penalties for assisted suicide under H.R. 7196?
No. According to H.R. 7196 Section 1(a), the Council may not pass any act, rule, or other law that reduces penalties for conduct covered by 42 U.S.C. 14402.
What kinds of D.C. actions would H.R. 7196 block on assisted suicide?
Under H.R. 7196 (SEC. 1(a)), D.C. could not use an act, resolution, rule, regulation, guidance, or other law to permit covered assisted-suicide conduct or reduce related penalties.
Which end-of-life decisions are still allowed under H.R. 7196?
H.R. 7196 preserves the 42 U.S.C. 14402(b) exceptions, including stopping treatment, stopping nutrition or hydration, abortion, and pain relief not given to cause death (SEC. 1(a)).
Does H.R. 7196 affect pain medication that may increase the risk of death?
No, if the medication is given to relieve pain or discomfort rather than cause death. H.R. 7196 incorporates that exception through 42 U.S.C. 14402(b) (SEC. 1(a)).
Can D.C. still allow withdrawal of life support under H.R. 7196?
Yes. Under H.R. 7196 (SEC. 1(a)), the bill must account for 42 U.S.C. 14402(b), which excludes withholding or withdrawing medical treatment from assisted suicide.
Does H.R. 7196 apply to nutrition and hydration decisions in D.C.?
Yes, but as an exception. Under H.R. 7196 Section 1(a), 42 U.S.C. 14402(b) says withholding or withdrawing nutrition or hydration is not treated as assisted suicide.
Is H.R. 7196 a nationwide assisted suicide ban?
No. H.R. 7196 only amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, restricting the D.C. Council rather than creating a 50-state ban (SEC. 1(a)).
How does H.R. 7196 stop D.C. from legalizing assisted suicide in the future?
It amends section 602(a) of the D.C. Home Rule Act to remove that subject from the Council's lawmaking power under H.R. 7196 (SEC. 1(a)).
Based on H.R. 7196 bill text
HR7196 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Jan 22, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
About the Sponsor
Tom Barrett
Republican, Michigan's 7th congressional district · 1 years in Congress
Committees: Veterans' Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure
View full profile →
Cosponsors (1)
This bill has 1 cosponsor: 1 Republican. Cosponsors represent 1 state: Arkansas.
Committee Sponsors
Oversight and Government Reform Committee
0 of 46 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
25 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 7196 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Oversight and Government Reform
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Health
- Introduced
- Jan 22, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Jan 22, 2026
Official Sources
Official Congress.gov page for the bill with text, actions, sponsors, and status updates.
Official D.C. Code section for the Home Rule Act provision that H.R. 7196 would amend to limit the Council’s legislative authority.
Official U.S. Code entry for 42 U.S.C. 14402, the federal statute H.R. 7196 explicitly incorporates for its prohibition and exceptions.
Official U.S. Code text covering the subsection with exceptions for withdrawal of treatment, nutrition and hydration decisions, abortion, and pain relief.
Official D.C. Code location for the Death With Dignity Act framework that H.R. 7196 would repeal.
Official D.C. Council code site containing the District laws referenced in the bill, including the Home Rule and Death With Dignity provisions.
Official GovInfo record for the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 as enacted in public law form.
Official D.C. Council legislative portal that can provide background on D.C. laws and legislative actions related to the District code provisions discussed in the bill.
H.R. 7196 Bill Text
“To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to prohibit the Council of the District of Columbia from enacting any law to permit euthanasia and assisted suicide in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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