The city commissioners immediately sought the help of Congress. They proposed passage of legislation setting aside the appraisers' award, and to seek condemnation under the new eminent domain procedure enacted as part of the 1891 D.C. highway act (approved August 30, 1890). This bill was introduced in the Senate, and reported favorably by the Senate District of Columbia Committee on July 1, 1894. The Senate Appropriations Committee attached the bill to the D.C. appropriations legislation for 1895. The amended appropriations bill passed the Senate, and went to a House–Senate conference committee. The conference committee agreed on August 2 to retain the Prospect Hill Cemetery amendment. The legislation passed Congress on August 7, 1894.