The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill that would lease the RFK Stadium site to D.C. officials for a potential new NFL stadium.
The legislation passed 17-2. The committee set a Dec. 28 deadline for a full Senate vote.
The bill would die without a vote by the end of the year, they said.
“Today’s vote marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to unlock the potential of the RFK Campus by transforming this underutilized space into a vibrant hub of affordable housing, world-class recreational facilities, green spaces, and economic opportunity for District residents and visitors alike,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a statement.
The RFK Stadium site is owned by the federal government and requires congressional approval for any development on the land.
The proposed legislation would lease the 174-acre site in Northeast to the District for 99 years. The city would be responsible for financing and operating a stadium, though local officials have said they’re open to other uses for the area.
The bill has already been approved by the House but still needs to pass through the Senate.
“Today’s result is an exciting and significant step forward for the city of Washington, D.C., as it looks to gain long-term control of the RFK site. The Commanders have been fortunate to have interest from three incredible jurisdictions as we search for a new home and stadium,” the Commanders said in a statement. “The vote today brings us one step closer towards continuing conversations with D.C., along with Maryland and Virginia, as a potential future home for our franchise.
”“For the capital city of the United States of America, it’s only befitting that we do this,” Sen. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia independent and chairman of the committee, said. “All we’re doing is basically completing a multifaceted approach to fixing this property and making it something we can all be proud of.”
“Let’s go Commanders,” Mr. Manchin said after the panel’s votes had been counted.
The legislation has been stuck in committee due to resistance from Montana Sen. Steve Daines, who criticized the Washington Commanders’ handling of their former American Indian logo.
The old logo, which the team stopped using in 2020, was designed by Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, a leader in Montana’s Blackfeet Tribe. Mr. Daines, a Republican, has repeatedly said he would not support a bill for a potential stadium until the Wetzels felt the Commanders had honored their family’s contributions to the team.
“I am proud to say, after speaking with my constituents, that they are satisfied with the ongoing negotiations with the team and feel optimistic about the direction that they are heading,” Mr. Daines said Tuesday.
Earlier this season, the Commanders unveiled a new bronze plaque honoring Wetzel at the team’s stadium in Landover.
“In 1971, Blackie created an iconic logo worn by Super Bowl-winning teams and fans across the globe,” the team said in a statement in September. “Now a half-century later, his story and contributions are memorialized forever at the home of the Commanders.”
The plaque was a strong enough start for Mr. Daines to support legislation that could bring Commanders’ home games back to the District for the first time since 1996.
“I urge the team to continue their dialogue and reach a conclusion that honors their past, honors [Blackie’s son] Don Wetzel’s vision to use the logo to help Indian Country and honors the will of the Blackfeet Tribe to restore the logo to place of honor and prominence,” Mr. Daines said.
Josh Harris, the team’s managing partner, has been clear about his intention to build a new stadium to replace the 27-year-old Northwest Stadium. The team has declined to say where a new field would be built, instead keeping its options open in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
A new stadium would likely debut in 2030.
“There’s no way to predict a specific date, but I think that’s a reasonable target,” Mr. Harris said before the Commanders’ final preseason game in August.
The franchise’s lease at Northwest Stadium ends in 2027, but the team could continue to play there longer if necessary.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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