FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                      

Friday March 14, 2025                                                     

CHAIRMAN MENDELSON STATEMENT ON CONTINUING RESOLUTION’S EFFECT ON THE DISTRICT

WASHINGTON, DC – DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson issued the following statement following today’s vote on the Senate’s passage of a continuing resolution:

“It is disappointing that on the narrowest of votes the District has become collateral damage in a national, partisan fight.  Even though Senators on both sides of the aisle have come to understand that the District cannot be treated like a federal agency, the partisan push prevailed to get a last-minute CR without any amendments.

“We’re hopeful that Senator Susan Collins’ (R-ME) standalone bill will solve the problem for the District. But we won’t know for sure until the House comes back after March 24. And even then, there are risks. We appreciate her willingness to stand with the District.

“Without Senator Collins’ bill the District is faced with a requirement to limit annual spending to FY 2024 levels – with only half-a-year left to do this.  No program can be left untouched if we are to suddenly cut $1 billion.  Congress has changed the rules in the middle of the game, so to speak, because twice last fall Congress gave us the go-ahead to spend at FY 2025 levels.  This is not responsible governing. This fiscal irresponsibility is heightened by the fact that the cut in spending is not accompanied by a reduction in revenues. We will end the fiscal year with $1 Billion in program cuts while having a $1 Billion surplus.

“District spending comes from locally-generated revenues, not federal dollars. So Congress is not saving federal dollars. There is no benefit, anywhere, to the District from this CR. It is disheartening, frustrating, and damaging for the District.

“My office is working with the Mayor to garner House support for Senator Collins’ bill. We’re also working together to see how we can address anti-deficiency while mitigating cuts.  I am confident that we will find a solution to this problem that has been handed to us by Congress.”

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