H.R. 6537 would extend federal tax benefits designed for economically disadvantaged areas—called "empowerment zones"—to the District of Columbia. The bill treats D.C. as if it were designated as an empowerment zone, allowing businesses and residents in the district to claim tax incentives that are normally available only in designated empowerment zones elsewhere in the country. These tax benefits, which encourage investment and job creation in struggling communities, would apply to the largest area in D.C. that meets the eligibility requirements for such designation. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, and would not count toward the federal limit on the number of empowerment zones that can be designated nationwide. This legislation, introduced by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, aims to provide D.C. with the same economic development tools available to other disadvantaged communities.
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