Congress quietly opens Capitol grounds to commercial filming—with minimal oversight
H.R. 7162 — To amend title 40, United States Code, to permit commercial filmmaking and photography on the United States Capitol grounds, and for other purposes. · Filed by Eleanor Norton (D-DC) · Introduced Jan 20, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill allows commercial film and photography companies to obtain permits from the Capitol Police to shoot on Capitol grounds when Congress is not in session, subject to fees that go into a Capitol Trust Account. The permit process is modeled on historical commercial activity rules for Union Square and gives the Capitol Police Chief discretion to define what counts as 'appropriate' commercial activity and set permit terms in consultation with House and Senate administration committees.
Why we flagged it
The bill amends federal law to permit commercial filmmaking and photography on Capitol grounds during congressional recesses, establishing a permitting and fee-collection framework. It is primarily a regulatory/administrative measure enabling a new category of commercial activity on federal property.
What the text implies
- Creates a new revenue stream for the Capitol Trust Account via permit fees, potentially establishing precedent for monetizing other Capitol grounds activities and federal property.
- Permits commercial filming on Capitol grounds when Congress is not in session, which may enable political campaigns, media organizations, or entertainment companies to use the Capitol as a backdrop without legislative oversight or transparency requirements.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
film and television production companies; commercial photography services; media and entertainment sector