The suspension bill, which has pushed Republicans to avoid closures at the end of the week, will slow the District of Columbia budget by about $1 billion over the next six months.
The cuts are under consideration due to a set of legislative habits Republicans are using democratically to force a significant number of federal workers and black residents into their home districts. President Trump, who demonized government employees, says he wants to “take over” DC
Under the law that established the “Home Rules” in Washington more than 50 years ago, Council maintains power over the city, including final approval of the law and annual budget. Historically, Congress has included everyday language in its spending bills endorsing the DC budget, with about 75% of which being funded through local revenue.
However, Republicans omitted standard language from the temporary spending bill they plan to vote in the House as early as Tuesday. It pushes Washington’s fate at the heart of political debates over funding the US government. Democrats were able to try to block the Senate action, but they could be held accountable because of government shutdowns as the deadline on Friday is looming to keep federal funds flowing.
The bill will almost freeze federal spending at levels approved last year, and if passed as written, DC will force the D.C. to return to the lower spending levels approved by Congress in 2024.
The result is a $1.1 billion reduction that was mandated mid-year in the fiscal year. According to a memo from Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s office sent to lawmakers over the weekend, the district will need to cut 16% of all funds that have not yet been spent.
At a press conference outside the Capitol on Monday, the DC leader urged Congress to revisit temporary spending measures, saying the effects of the freeze were “devastating” for the city and likely led to public safety and public school layoffs.
Given that the budget freeze will come six months into the city’s fiscal year, the district will need to scramble within a few days to find $1 billion in savings between now and the end of September.
As much of that money was tied up with contracts, leases and Medicaid, it takes time to access everything, local officials warned that the most immediate goal of the cut was the pay of city workers, including police officers and teachers.
“There is no way to cut such money this fiscal year to avoid impacting police or teachers and not affecting some of the basic government services that can keep the city clean, safe and beautiful.”
Bowser said she was in contact with the White House.
“They showed it wasn’t coming from them,” she said of the omission.
Local officials complained that extending the spending freeze was unfair. Republicans agreed to apply to the federal government for Washington. Because most of the city’s budget money comes from residents of DC, not from federal sources.
“We are pleased to announce that we are a great opportunity to see the world of exploring the world,” said Phil Mendelsson, chairman of the DC Council. “Unfortunately, in this country, we believe the District of Columbia is federally funded, and we are not.”
Most of the district’s funds are generated through local revenue. Another 24% comes through federal grants, while less than 1% from direct federal funds are less than 1%.
DC has to submit plans to balance its budget for five years, and last April Bowser proposed cutting the city program by about $500 million. This includes elimination of programs that eliminate scholarships for childcare workers and early education teachers. The DC Council overturned most of these cuts, including recovering $70 million to a childcare program.
Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat who represents the District of Columbia but does not vote in the House, proposed amendments to the suspension spending bill on Monday that would allow DC to proceed with its budget as planned.
“D.C. has not been treated as a federal agency for fundraising purposes for over 20 years, because doing so can force dramatic overnight cuts on key services such as police, hygiene and schools,” Norton said. “These services cuts will work against Republicans’ goals of improving public safety and order in D.C..”
However, it appears unlikely that Republicans would agree to adopt it.
Congressional Republicans are increasingly hoping to shave their governance on DC. Last year, the GOP-controlled House was voted by a large margin for two disapproval resolutions that overturned two laws passed by the DC Council.
They also used amendments to the Expenditure Bill to ban the city’s ability to tax and regulate the sale of cannabis and to ban the spending of urban funds on abortion services for Medicaid recipients.
