• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

RFK Stadium Bill Advances to Senate After Lopsided House Vote

  • The bill allows Washington, D.C., to potentially repurpose the old site of RFK Stadium for various purposes, including a new home for the Commanders football team.
  • The bill’s passage in the House, with a vote margin of 348–55, indicates strong bipartisan consensus and support for D.C.’s plans.
RFK
D.C. Events

House lawmakers were in a show of bipartisanship Wednesday on a bill allowing D.C. to use the old site of RFK Stadium for a potential new home of the Commanders. 

The D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act passed easily in the House of Representatives, with the only measurable opposition coming from Maryland. The bill establishing a new 99-year lease for the federally controlled land passed by a 348–55 margin and will move on to the Senate. 

“During my tenure in Congress, I’ve worked to transfer control of underused federal land in the District to local D.C. so it can be put to productive use,” said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D., D.C.), who worked with Rep. James Comer (R., Ky.) to craft the legislation. “Thank you to [Oversight Committee] Chairman Comer for your partnership on this important issue.”

A stadium is one of the options that D.C. officials can do with the land if the bill becomes law after the Senate passes the bill—or similar legislation—and President Joe Biden signs it. Neither of those is a slam dunk, although the bipartisan support in Congress does bode well for D.C. 

While D.C. would have jurisdiction over the land, city leaders could use the parcel for commercial and residential development and parks. No matter how the land will be used, 30% of the acreage must be set aside for open space/parks, according to the text of HB 4984

This was only the 41st bill passed by the House since the 118th Congress was seated 13 months ago, a sign of the political division on Capitol Hill. The vote was conducted under suspension, which limits debate and is typically reserved for legislation that has broad support. 

“This bipartisan legislation will repurpose approximately 174 acres of unused federal land in the nation’s capital and provide the District with an opportunity to create meaningful new jobs, add millions in city revenue, and transform the Anacostia River waterfront into a top-tier destination for residents and visitors,” Comer said in a statement. “Absent congressional action, this land would sit unused, and the ongoing maintenance costs and environmental liabilities would remain the full responsibility of the federal government.”

The bill had that support from reps nationwide—minus Maryland, where the Commanders have called home since 1999. None of the eight representatives from Maryland voted in favor of the bill, and all but one—Rep. Jamie Raskin, who abstained—voted against the bill. 

“I believe Prince George’s County in Maryland should be able to compete on a level playing field to keep the Washington Commanders,” Rep. Glenn Ivey said earlier Wednesday when the bill was briefly debated. “But this bill would give an unfair advantage to D.C. It’s most certainly not a level playing field when one interested jurisdiction receives a free transfer of federal government subsidized land.”

Maryland lawmakers were also vocal when the bill was debated during an Oversight Committee hearing in September. 

The Commanders are expected to play in Landover, Maryland, for at least the next few seasons, but the venue will have a new name after FedEx announced on Wednesday that it would end its sponsorship of the stadium two years early. The stadium will now be called Commanders Field as the team seeks to replace FedEx. 

And Josh Harris’s ownership group—which took over the team in July—continues to seek out a spot for what is expected to be a new domed stadium. Wednesday’s vote out of D.C. is closer to being in play for the site. 

“Incredible bi-partisan landslide of support…for the bill to give the RFK site to DC,” Commanders co-owner Mark Ein wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN Draws Highest ‘MNF’ Doubleheader Audience Since 2015

Buccaneers–Texans and Chargers–Raiders averaged 13.5 million viewers.
Brian Flores

Brian Flores Says NFL Arbitrator Is Stalling in Discrimination Case

A new filing says the arbitrator has done nothing for a year.
Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.
Sep 13, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) carries the football against South Florida Bulls cornerback Ben Knox (1) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.

NCAA Eliminates Spring Transfer Portal Window

The change is aimed at curbing the system of “unrestricted free agency.”

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

$3.8 Billion Commanders Stadium Deal Approved Despite Late Drama

A decisive final vote on the stadium followed some last-minute snags.
January 5, 2025; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Hideki Matsuyama hits his fairway shot on the 13th hole during the final round of The Sentry golf tournament at Plantation Course at Kapalua.
September 15, 2025

PGA Tour’s January Season Opener Won’t Be Played At Kapalua

The Sentry’s longtime home is no longer able to host the tournament.
September 16, 2025

Commanders’ $3.8B D.C. Stadium Nears Key Council Vote

The Commanders’ proposed $3.8 billion stadium deal is poised for final approval.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Aug 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Denver Broncos helmet against the New Orleans Saints during warmups at Caesars Superdome.
September 9, 2025

Broncos Eye 2031 Opening for New Multibillion-Dollar Stadium

The NFL team plans a new venue and mixed-use development.
Aug 22, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; Chicago Stars FC forward Jameese Joseph (8) passes the ball during the first half of a match against the North Carolina Courage at SeatGeek Stadium.
September 4, 2025

Chicago Stars FC Move to Evanston After 12 Years in Bridgeview

Stadium plans beyond the 2026 season aren’t solidified. 
August 28, 2025

As CFB Programs Add Corporate Field Logos, Are Jersey Patches Next?

Texas is adding a sponsor’s logo to its football field this season.
Dec 10, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; A general view of the Delta Center before the game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Minnesota Wild.
August 19, 2025

Utah’s Sports Boom Expands Into Music, Emulating Atlanta

The Jazz and Mammoth owner strikes a major deal with Live Nation.