Senate passes bill that seeks to keep D.C. government’s use of local tax dollars intact



The Senate unanimously passed a bill Friday that aims to fix language in the government funding legislation that, if left untouched, would restrict how Washington, D.C., spends local tax dollars.

The bipartisan bill, introduced by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., would authorize the District of Columbia to continue spending its local funds this fiscal year. The newly passed government funding bill that avoids a shutdown includes a provision requiring the city to return to last year’s budget levels, which would lead to D.C. losing about $1 billion of its own taxes.

A spokesperson for Collins said she spoke to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser about the fix Thursday.

Follow live politics coverage here

Washington’s budget is typically based on its own revenue and not dictated by federal appropriations bills, raising questions about whether the language that resulted in this cut might have been an oversight.

House Republican leaders are expected to evaluate the legislation now that it has passed the Senate. The House is back in session March 24.

Before Friday’s vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who was one of 10 Democrats who voted to advance the GOP-authored government funding bill, said 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.”



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Carney Reviews Canada’s Order of F-35 Jets Amid Rift With US

    Article content (Bloomberg) — Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the country’s contract with the US’s Lockheed Martin Corp for F-35 fighter jets, a new front…

    A river ‘died’ overnight in Zambia after an acidic waste spill at a Chinese-owned mine

    KITWE, Zambia (AP) — Authorities and environmentalists in Zambia fear the long-term impact of an acid spill at a Chinese-owned mine that contaminated a major river and could potentially affect…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Startups Weekly: Founders may be raising less, but deals haven’t been lacking

    Startups Weekly: Founders may be raising less, but deals haven’t been lacking

    Charges beef up OL, agree to 2-year deal with Mekhi Becton

    Charges beef up OL, agree to 2-year deal with Mekhi Becton

    The Best Star Wars Board Games Worth Playing in 2025

    The Best Star Wars Board Games Worth Playing in 2025

    How to Dress Like the Olsen Twins This Spring and Summer 2025

    How to Dress Like the Olsen Twins This Spring and Summer 2025

    US government shutdown averted as Senate passes spending bill

    US government shutdown averted as Senate passes spending bill

    Jason Sudeikis Returning for ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4

    Jason Sudeikis Returning for ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4