MARCH 11, 2025 NEWSLETTER
DEFENDING D.C.’S FUTURE: FIGHTING FOR OUR BUDGET & AUTONOMY
Dear Ward 7 Residents –
There is a lot happening in the District right now and I want you to know that I’m fighting on your behalf. Yesterday, I proudly stood alongside my Council colleagues, Mayor Bowser, and Congresswoman Norton on Capitol Hill to address the deeply concerning omission of longstanding provisions in the recently proposed Continuing Resolution (CR).These provisions would have exempted the District from a federal government shutdown and ensured that we could continue operating under our locally approved FY 2025 budget. Without their inclusion, the District would be forced to revert to the FY 2024 budget—leading to devastating projected cuts of $1 billion.
The District and the federal government share a commitment to keeping our communities safe, investing in public education, and ensuring D.C. remains a world-class city. Allowing a government shutdown in the middle of the FY 2026 budget year is simply unacceptable. The consequences of reverting to outdated spending levels would be felt by residents and visitors alike, especially in communities like Ward 7, threatening the vital services that so many depend on. I want to thank Congresswoman Norton for her leadership in introducing an amendment to restore these critical provisions.
Although the amendment failed, I urge residents to contact members of Congress and ask them to protect DC’s autonomy and financial stability. Here is a script you can use with contact information below as well:
“Hello! My name is __________ and I am a resident of the District of Columbia. I am asking you to support an amendment that would protect DC’s locally funded budget in the GOP’s Continuing Resolution. For the first time in more than twenty years, the current version of the CR treats the District of Columbia like a federal agency—we are not a federal agency. We operate, and have for more than twenty years, like a state. Allowing the CR to move forward as-is would force DC to make $1 billion in cuts to public safety, schools, and other frontline workers halfway through our fiscal year. DC’s budget is balanced and was already approved by Congress last year. Furthermore, making this unprecedented change doesn’t save the federal government a single dime, and makes our city less safe. Please do not approve the CR in its current form, and instead push for an amendment that would restore bipartisan, common-sense language protecting DC’s budget funded by my tax dollars. Thank you.”
Please contact U.S. Republican Senate leadership:
- John Thune (SD), Majority Leader – 202-224-2321
- Susan Collins (ME), Chair, Appropriations Committee – 202-224-2523
- John Barrasso (WY), Majority Whip – 202-224-6441
We also ask that you contact these Senators from the DMV region:
- Chris Van Hollen (MD), Appropriations Committee – 202-224-4654
- Angela Alsobrooks (MD) – 202-224-4524
- Mark Warner (VA) – 202-224-2023
- Tim Kaine (VA) – 202-224-4024