The Senate unanimously passed a bill on Friday to address a provision in the government funding legislation that would have restricted how Washington, D.C. spends its local tax dollars.
The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), authorizes the District of Columbia to continue spending its local funds for the current fiscal year. The recently passed government funding bill, which averted a government shutdown, included a provision that required the city to revert to last year's budget levels, resulting in a loss of approximately $1 billion in local tax revenue for D.C.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser commended the Senate for advancing the measure. "Senate approval today is a major first step as we continue working with the House of Representatives on final passage to ensure critical services provided in the Nation's Capital, including our police officers, firefighters, teachers, medical services and hospital network, aren't haphazardly cut in the middle of the fiscal year," Bowser said in a statement.
Washington's budget is typically based on its own revenue and not dictated by federal appropriations bills, raising concerns that the language causing this cut might have been an oversight.
House Republican leaders are expected to review the legislation now that it has passed the Senate. The House is scheduled to return to session on March 24.
Senator Collins stated on the Senate floor that the bill has the support of President Donald Trump and House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK).
Prior to Friday's vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who was one of 10 Democrats who voted to advance the GOP-authored government funding bill, stated that the D.C.-focused legislation will "make sure that we take care of the residents of the district."
"It will support law enforcement and firefighters and teachers and basic city services," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "This legislation is very good news for the residents of the District of Columbia.
9 Comments
Matzomaster
It benefits everyone when local governments can manage their own resources without undue interference from Washington bureaucrats.
Karamba
Why pass more laws allowing irresponsible financial management by D.C. officials? Hold them accountable instead.
Rotfront
Both Republicans and Democrats are proving they're happy to approve money for D.C. while their home states suffer shortages.
Matzomaster
Once again taxpayers outside D.C. will be on the hook for continued overspending. Totally unfair!
Rotfront
Why does D.C. always get special treatment? It’s time they handled their money better without more Congressional assistance.
Muchacha
From teachers to first responders, this legislation protects those we count on every day in our nation's capital.
Comandante
Glad to see reasonable thinking prevailed, this legislation is essential for protecting the quality of life in D.C.
Coccinella
Good to see both parties work together; essential services like schools, hospitals, and firefighters are too important to politicize.
Bella Ciao
This bill represents everything wrong with Washington—throwing money at the problem rather than fixing irresponsible budgeting.