‘We need a Hail Mary now': DC workers lobby Congress to pass budget fix
Workers with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) took to Capitol Hill to meet with Congressional leaders to put the DC Local Funds Act up for a vote, which would allow D.C. to spend its own funds.
Though the Senate already passed the bill, some House representatives say they won't support it. If it does not pass, the District will need to cut about $400 million from its budget.
Officials, advocates urge House to pass DC Local Funds Act to restore budget
Representative Andy Harris (R-Md.) released a statement, saying in part, 'We should use this opportunity to make certain that DC isn't wasting money on ideas like DEI or reparations.'
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump previously called on the House through social media to take up the D.C. funding fix and get it done immediately.
'We're asking these representatives in the House to pass this bill, make it quick, restore our money, particularly because this is not federal money, doesn't save the federal Government a cent, instead it is DC taxpayer money that we already have in the bank,' said D.C. worker Yona Bromberg Gaber.
Proposed federal bill would cut DC budget by roughly $1 billion, city officials say
The bill is intended to be a budget fix after Congress passed a spending plan in March that forced D.C. to revert to its 2024 spending levels.
'The money is there and we need to have these funds released,' said D.C. worker Deirdra James. 'If they're not released, that could result in hiring freezes, no overtime and furloughs. I've gone on furlough before and it is … cruelty.'
'It is the fourth quarter, two minutes on the clock and we need a Hail Mary now,' James continued.
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