Washington, D.C. confronts a significant threat to its autonomy following a recent funding decision by the House. The legislation proposes a $1.1 billion reduction in city spending, akin to cuts experienced by federal agencies, with officials warning this could severely impact services, including education and public safety. This comes alongside President Donald Trump’s criticism of D.C.’s governance and legislative moves by two Republicans to reassert federal control over the city. Consequently, city leaders are lobbying the Senate to reject the House’s approach.
The House bill pegs the city’s budget to fiscal year 2024 levels, disregarding the District’s self-generated 2025 budget that Congress had already sanctioned. This decision dismissed appeals by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Eleanor Holmes Norton, the city’s non-voting Congressional Delegate, to maintain previous practices. Christina Henderson, a DC City Council member, described the move as reckless and unfamiliar territory for the city.
Jasmine Tyler from the Justice Policy Institute emphasized that if the proposed budget plan is enacted, immediate impacts would ensue, especially affecting areas like crime and public services. “These cuts could strike overnight,” she pointed out, questioning the continuity of essential services. The situation highlights Congress’s longstanding authority over the District. Since the Home Rule Act of 1973, residents have gained the power to elect their local officials, but Congress retained significant control, often overriding local laws and budgets.
George Mason University professor Michael Fauntroy argues there’s no current justification for the drastic cuts, which could lead to reduced city services and potentially justify a more direct federal takeover. Mayor Bowser and Congressional Delegate Norton focused their efforts on amending the House bill, less on discussing Home Rule directly. D.C. has historically relied on federal jobs, which have provided critical opportunities for the city’s workforce, especially among Black residents.
In a gesture to address Republican concerns, Bowser had previously removed the Black Lives Matter Plaza. She has reportedly been in dialogue with the Trump administration concerning the House proposal, which the administration claimed did not originate from them. Should the Senate amend the bill, the House may need to reconvene to prevent a government shutdown.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen from Maryland and others have expressed their intention to oppose the House’s spending plan. Advocates like former D.C. shadow representative John Capozzi Jr. remain pessimistic about an easy resolution, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Meanwhile, Monica Hopkins from the ACLU of D.C. suggests that outright revoking Home Rule could leave Congress accountable for the city’s issues, serving as a deterrent to such actions.
