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WARD 1 UPDATE
Hello Neighbors:
It’s been a very stressful few weeks for many of us here in the District as federal actions have created concern and uncertainty – from the fate of D.C.’s budget to what the role of MPD should be in enforcing federal activity.
Many of you have reached out to ask me about how those actions are impacting and will impact D.C., and how D.C. government is reacting and protecting residents.
Many of you are also hurting personally – fired from federal jobs or nonprofit jobs that were supported with federal funds. Or living in fear that you or a family member or provider may lose your job. I am so sorry. It should not be this way. Please check out these resources we’ve compiled.
We are facing a lot of challenges, with new ones almost every day. One thing that I am doing in all of this is trying to keep a narrow focus on the things that impact D.C. directly and uniquely, things that I can play a role in addressing through advocacy and legislation.
Two issues rise to the top this week: the need for a fix to the D.C. budget hole created by Congress’ Continuing Resolution; and questions about the Metropolitan Police Department’s involvement in the removal of staff from the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Continuing Resolution and the D.C. budget fix
You may have heard that the CR passed by the House and the Senate last week leaves a $1.1 billion hole in D.C.’s budget. This is the direct result of D.C. not being a state and its unique status and oversight by Congress. Omission of a provision that’s been in every CR for the past 20+ years means that D.C. cannot follow its approved FY25 budget. Instead, we have to revert to the FY24 budget.
Finding that kind of money – halfway through the year – would require draconian cuts. There is no way to accomplish that level of savings without taking from public safety, education, and human services, among others. And the cuts would not save U.S. taxpayers even $1. All of that money is raised locally by D.C. We would still collect it but be forced to put it in a bank account until next year.
After Councilmembers, the Mayor and hundreds of residents, including children(!), went to the Hill to raise awareness in Congress, the Senate passed a standalone bill with a fix for the D.C. budget problem. That bill is now with the House and we are hearing that the White House and Republican leadership are amenable, but its passage is not at all assured. The Council and Mayor continue to reach out and explain to House leadership and members why they must support the D.C. budget fix. A vote could come the week after next.
MPD’s involvement in the U.S. Institute of Peace incident
Last weekend Metropolitan Police Officers were dispatched to the U.S. Institute of Peace, an independent nonprofit organization, to eject staff and allow federal DOGE operatives entrance to the building. I received quite a few questions by email and in person about why MPD was involved.
I have that concern, too, and so do many of my colleagues. We spoke with MPD officials this week, who answered some of our questions, and we still have others.
The bottom line is it is not the role of MPD to escort federal DOGE employees into private buildings. Federal agencies have federal law enforcement at their disposal. We continue to pursue answers and assurances about the future role of MPD in these situations.
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