RFK Bill moves to full Senate Committee hearing Thursday with Commanders hopes of returning to RFK in the balance

WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — Legislation which would give DC Government long term control of the RFK site, clearing the way for the Washington Commanders potential return to the District, will be considered Thursday morning during a full meeting of the Senate Committee on Energy and National Resources. 

The meeting will be the last opportunity for Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) to block the legislation before it heads to the full Senate for possible passage.

The RFK Bill will be one in a package of 79 land use bills considered by the Senate Committee on Energy and National Resources, in a procedural vote which could ultimately send the entire package onto to the full Senate floor for passage.

The RFK Bill easily passed the House of Representatives, but Sen. Daines had put a hold on it in an Energy and National Resources subcommittee over the objections of family members of the creator or the organizations old Native American head logo the Commanders no longer use it on uninforms, marketing materials or apparel.

Before the team’s home opener Sept. 14, the Commanders honored the old logo by unveiling the Walter "Blackie" Wetzel Memorial, located in the Club Section of the Commanders newly named Northwest Stadium.

A number of Wetzel’s family members were on hand for the ceremony, Daines called the gesture, "a step in the right direction.”

A spokesperson for Daines office did not immediately respond to a text message regarding whether he planned to remove his block at Thursday’s full committee hearing.

If the RFK Bill makes it out of the Senate Committee on Energy and National Resources, it would have to be passed by the full Senate after November’s presidential election before Congress adjourns for the year.

Maryland Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin have both voiced opposition to the RFK bill as well over concerns about what would happen to the site of the old stadium in Prince George's County should the team leave.