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Two of D.C.'s local political royalty are vowing to serve through their eighties, at a time when Washington has no shortage of politicians facing questions about their age.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, 86, is the third-oldest member of the House and tells Axios she will "absolutely" run for an 18th term next year.

Former Mayor Vincent Gray, 80, who curtailed his working hours as Ward 7 council member after suffering a mild stroke in 2021, says he will continue serving and is contemplating another bid next year.

Why it matters: With 81-year-old Mitch McConnell's freeze-ups and 80-year-old President Joe Biden's trip-ups, more than three-fourths of Americans think elected officials need age limits, per a recent poll.

The big picture: Age in politics has seized the national zeitgeist. The New Yorker's latest cover wonders if the nation is "in danger of becoming a sclerotic gerontocracy." Critics accused the magazine of ageism over a cartoon depicting pols racing in walkers.

State of play: If re-elected — as she's heavily favored to do — Norton would become the second-oldest member of the House, should New Jersey's Bill Pascrell Jr., 86, also win his re-election bid. 

The oldest, California's Grace F. Napolitano, 86, announced plans to retire at the end of her term.

What I'm hearing: Norton is particularly praised for using her seniority to amass influence in spite of the limits on her office. The D.C. delegate has no vote on the House floor.

"In my experience, people don't know when to retire. They don't want to give it up," says Terry Lynch, a civic activist who has led the Downtown Cluster of Congregations.

He thinks Gray and Norton can contribute to D.C. outside of the political arena.

Would Norton step aside to mentor a new generation? "That never happens. People who retire don't go to training someone else," Norton says.

How long does she expect to serve? "As long as I'm in good health, enough to walk in the House of Representatives," Norton says.

Should voters care about age? "I think voters should care about competency," says Bill Lightfoot, a former council member and ally of Mayor Muriel Bowser.

"Let's face it. There are certain things Eleanor is able to accomplish due to her seniority," Lightfoot says.

D.C. Council colleagues have worried about Gray's performance after his stroke and an Achilles injury that required surgery last year.

According to council records, he was listed as "absent" for 92 votes since the start of the year, an imperfect assessment of his actual attendance but one that sharply contrasts with most lawmakers who missed none. (Council member Trayon White recorded seven absences.)

Spokesperson Chuck Thies cites Gray's "demanding physical rehabilitation schedule that at times conflicts with the legislative calendar." He adds that Gray "never missed a vote the outcome of which was in question."

What's next: Gray is known to wait until the eleventh hour to announce any campaign plans, but last fall Thies as his former campaign manager told me Gray had "expressed interest in running."

💭 I am begging headline writers to stop overusing the word octogenarian. Town Talker is a weekly column on local politics and power. Send your longevity tips to: cuneyt@axios.com.

Washington politicians confront the age question

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, 86, plans to seek another term.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, 86, vows to continue her statehood activism. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Washington, D.C.

Town Talker

Two of D.C.&#x27;s local political royalty are vowing to serve through their eighties, at a time when Washington has no shortage of politicians facing questions about their age.<ul><li>Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, 86, is the third-oldest member of the House and tells Axios she will &quot;absolutely&quot; run for an 18th term next year.</li><li>Former Mayor Vincent Gray, 80, who curtailed his working hours as Ward 7 council member after suffering a mild stroke in 2021, says he will continue serving and is contemplating another bid next year.</li></ul>

News

Politics

McDonald's will soon begin carrying D.C.'s favorite carryout sauce.

Driving the news: McDonald's Mambo Sauce will be available starting Oct. 9, described as "a tomato-based, sweet, spicy, and vinegary sauce; inspired by the regional Washington, D.C.-area sauce staple." 

The chain is timing the release with a Mambo sauce documentary, honoring the condiment's ties to the capital city and Chicago, where a company owns the "mumbo sauce" trademark.

Why it matters: Mumbo sauce is a D.C. classic, served over fried wings and potato wedges (I'm thinking of you, Smokey's on 14th Street).

The intrigue: D.C. chef Jerome Grant weighed in on the Golden Arches' sauce, which will be available nationwide for a limited time. The James Beard Award nominee posted on Instagram about his involvement in the project.

Of note: McDonald's is also debuting next month a new Sweet & Spicy Jam Sauce, bringing some Szechuan peppercorn heat.

💭 Thought bubble: I'm just surprised Popeyes didn't think of this first!

Go deeper: McDonald's begins phasing out self-serve soda fountains

McDonald's begins phasing out self-serve soda fountains

McDonald's to add D.C. staple Mambo Sauce for a limited time

Plus, a new documentary explores the condiment's ties to the capital city and Chicago.

McDonald&#x27;s will soon begin carrying D.C.&#x27;s favorite carryout sauce.Driving the news: McDonald&#x27;s Mambo Sauce will be available starting Oct. 9, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="described" data-vars-click-url="https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/two-new-sauces-join-mcdusa-lineup.html" data-vars-content-id="02cec40b-43c3-446f-99a5-073e9ad17c6e" data-vars-headline="McDonald&#x27;s to add D.C. staple Mambo Sauce for a limited time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/two-new-sauces-join-mcdusa-lineup.html" target="_blank">described</a> as &quot;a tomato-based, sweet, spicy, and vinegary sauce; inspired by the regional Washington, D.C.-area sauce staple.&quot;

Food and Drink

The Metro of the future is being conceived now — with visions for new Metro stations, new signs for train and bus lines, and plans to solve the Rosslyn tunnel bottleneck all underway.

Why it matters: Even with Metro's current challenging finances, the agency needs to plan ahead for a region that is projected to grow in population.

What's happening: Looking decades out, Metro is taking feedback until Saturday on six options for the future of the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.

Alternative 4, for example, would create a Blue Line loop that adds stations in Georgetown, Buzzard Point, St. Elizabeths, and National Harbor.

It would create 180,000 new weekday transit trips and generate $154 million in revenue.

In a survey of Prince George's County residents, 87% said they support extending the Blue Line to National Harbor, according to pro-smart growth nonprofit Fort Washington Forward, NBC4 reports.

Yes, but: That expansion would cost $30 billion-$35 billion to build.

Other alternatives would extend the Silver Line to Georgetown and east to Fort Lincoln.

One big problem is the Rosslyn tunnel bottleneck. The tunnel accommodates 26 trains per hour across the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines, and crowding is expected to become a major squeeze on the system by 2040, DCist reported.

The Metro board is expected to make a decision later this year on a future expansion.

State of play: A more immediate change could involve labels for entrances and exits so that riders don't get lost inside stations. Metro's digital maps and displays may see upgrades as well.

The colors for rail lines are not going away, Metro general manager Randy Clarke recently told NBC4, but he said adding a number inside the color could be valuable for navigation.

Another ongoing survey called "Better Bus, Better Names" asks the public to help rename bus routes.

Reality check: Metro is asking regional leaders to help come up with $750 million in additional funding by July 2024 to avert devastating cuts.

The bottom line: "All the stuff that people want, you can't do well if you are in a cycle of up-and-down funding," Clarke told NBC4. "We need consistency — just like you would for a business or your home or whatever."

Metro is mapping out its future with new stations and signs

The Metro board is expected to make a decision on a future expansion later this year.

A map showing the new Blue Line loop envisioned 

A blue Beltway? One concept envisions a Blue Line loop. Rendering courtesy WMATA

rapid transit

The Metro of the future is being conceived now — with visions for new Metro stations, new signs for train and bus lines, and plans to solve the Rosslyn tunnel bottleneck all underway.Why it matters: Even with Metro&#x27;s current <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="challenging finances" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/26/dc-metro-deficit" data-vars-content-id="348ceaed-aa48-4fed-a044-ad95008ee21a" data-vars-headline="Metro is mapping out its future with new stations and signs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/26/dc-metro-deficit" target="_self">challenging finances</a>, the agency needs to plan ahead for a region that is projected to grow in population.

Transit

Data: U.S. Census Bureau. Chart: Axios Visuals

More D.C.-area employees worked remotely last year than much of the country, but the trend dipped sharply from a peak in 2021, per new census figures.

Why it matters: Remote work continues to hurt downtown D.C.'s economy, but workers favor the flexibility and savings — in both time and gas/transit money.

By the numbers: More than a quarter of the D.C. metro workforce said they "worked from home" in the last week when surveyed recently — the 6th-highest rate of any city, and higher than any state.

But it's a drop from the 33% share of remote workers in 2021.

Zoom out: Overall, 15% of the U.S. worked from home last year — but the numbers are much higher on the East and West coasts and in other large metro areas.

Nationwide, the share of people working from home declined by less than 3 percentage points between 2021 and 2022, according to the census figures.

What we're watching: Federal workers. President Biden in August called for his Cabinet to "aggressively execute" plans for federal employees to work more in their offices this fall after years of working remotely, according to an email sent to every Cabinet member and obtained by Axios.

It's Biden's most overt push yet to get federal employees to return to their offices.

The feds have so far not heeded the wishes of Mayor Muriel Bowser for an across-the-board return to the office of three days a week.

The solution for empty office buildings in many big cities is more likely to come from ambitious redevelopment projects — converting office towers into residential buildings and central business districts into mixed-use neighborhoods.

Yes, but: That work is complex, difficult, and extremely expensive. 

What's next: D.C.'s office-to-residential pivot hit a snag recently after some downtown projects were put on pause, according to the DowntownDC BID.

But new projects appear to be cropping up. A developer filed plans last month to convert an office building off Massachusetts Ave. in Dupont Circle into residential units.

Remote work declines from pandemic peak in the D.C. area

Over a quarter of the D.C. metro workforce said they "worked from home" in the last week when surveyed recently.

Hub Data - All

More D.C.-area employees <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worked remotely" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/16/work-from-home-offices-remote-work-census" data-vars-content-id="4736d665-5864-43c5-8071-2a2538faf801" data-vars-headline="Remote work declines from pandemic peak in the D.C. area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/16/work-from-home-offices-remote-work-census" target="_self">worked remotely</a> last year than much of the country, but the trend dipped sharply from a peak in 2021, per new census figures.Why it matters: Remote work continues to hurt downtown D.C.&#x27;s economy, but workers favor the flexibility and savings — in both time and gas/transit money.

Business

Data: Axios research. Chart: Cuneyt Dil/Axios

You all are California dreamin' — when it comes to places you would move if you left the DMV.

In our Axios D.C. survey from last week, 13% picked California as their top destination. The warmth, beautiful nature, and the ocean all added up for readers.

Why it matters: Our survey of 828 readers is hardly scientific, but it happens to track with recent migration trends.

State of play: California was the top state — after Maryland — for D.C. residents to move to up until the pandemic, according to census data.

After 2019, the Golden State fell outside the top five destinations.

Meanwhile, North Carolina, which ranked third among our readers, became more popular during the pandemic for outmigration, ranking third among states in 2020-21.

Still, California's charm endures for DMV residents, thanks to the state's "surf, weather, environmental laws, mountains" and "fun people."

One reader who picked Los Angeles appreciated that it's "a lot more laid back, less career focused."

"It's got a ton of issues, but I love SF," one respondent wrote.

By the numbers: New York came in second place with 10% of readers, with North Carolina close behind at 9%.

Many readers cited the latter's lower cost of living in cities such as Charlotte and Raleigh as a top reason.

Thought bubble: As a D.C. native who briefly lived in Sacramento a few years ago, I also vote for California!

Where D.C. residents would move to if they left the DMV

Our survey is hardly scientific, but it happens to track with recent migration trends.

Surveys

You all are California dreamin&#x27; — when it comes to places you would move if you left the DMV.<ul><li>In our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios D.C. survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/15/where-to-live-dmv" data-vars-content-id="2ad78df1-c7ff-403e-9203-8bb731153140" data-vars-headline="Where D.C. residents would move to if they left the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/15/where-to-live-dmv" target="_self">Axios D.C. survey</a> from last week, 13% picked California as their top destination. The warmth, beautiful nature, and the ocean all added up for readers.</li></ul>

Things to Do

A House committee advanced a bill on Wednesday that could one day make possible a football stadium on the RFK site.

Why it matters: D.C. needs Congress to extend the city's lease from the federal government for the 190-acre RFK site to be redeveloped into a mixed-use community — with the potential for a new Commanders stadium.

Driving the news: The bill cleared the Oversight and Reform Committee. Two dozen lawmakers, including committee chair Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), successfully voted down an amendment that would have blocked the use of public funds for a new sports stadium.

The failed provision was proposed by Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), drawing unexpected support from Maryland Democrats Jamie Raskin and Kweisi Mfume.

"That was the most interesting coalition ... [laughter interrupts him] ... in the history of the House. ... We'll be studying that roll call vote for decades," Comer quipped after siding with D.C., per the Washington Post's Meagan Flynn.

The big picture: D.C., Maryland, and Virginia are vying to convince the football franchise to build a new stadium on their land.

D.C. needs the 99-year lease extension in order to jumpstart new development on the site.

"There's really one place for the team," Mayor Muriel Bowser, who was on the Hill, said in late July after the team was sold to a group led by Josh Harris.

What to watch: The debate over whether taxpayer dollars should be spent on a stadium could continue as the bill moves through the full House and Senate.

Bill to extend D.C.'s lease for RFK site gains momentum

A House committee advanced a bill that could one day make possible a football stadium on the RFK site.

An aerial view of RFK Stadium when it was still in use. Photo: Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images

Sports

A House committee advanced a bill on Wednesday that could one day make possible a football stadium on the RFK site.Why it matters: D.C. needs Congress to extend the city&#x27;s lease from the federal government for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="190-acre RFK site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/03/29/dc-bowser-pitch-rfk-site-development" data-vars-content-id="62effe58-3ff1-44bd-a065-004fd154457f" data-vars-headline="Bill to extend D.C.&#x27;s lease for RFK site gains momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/03/29/dc-bowser-pitch-rfk-site-development" target="_self">190-acre RFK site</a> to be redeveloped into a mixed-use community — with the potential for a new Commanders stadium.

D.C. residents can soon get vouchers or rebates to buy and maintain electric bikes.

Why it matters: D.C. wants to make zippy e-bikes more affordable for lower-income riders as it tries to expand cycling accessibility in the city.

Driving the news: The D.C. Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the incentive program for bicycles purchased from retailers in D.C., following successful pilots in other cities.

How it works: For lower-income residents, the incentives could total $2,000 toward the purchase of a cargo e-bike and $1,500 for a standard e-bike.

There's also up to $300 envisioned for a replacement battery, up to $250 for annual maintenance, up to $250 for add-ons to accommodate riders with disabilities, and up to $150 for a bike lock.

For all other residents, the incentives are halved, which equals up to $1,000 for a cargo e-bike and $750 for a standard e-bike.

The big picture: Incentives to bring down the costs of e-bikes have been spreading nationwide.

E-bikes are rising in popularity due to their rechargeable batteries that assist riders when pedaling — reaching speeds up to 25 mph and easing long climbs. Plus, they're cheaper and greener than cars.

Denver's rebate program has helped spur adoption and slash emissions, Axios' Alayna Alvarez reports.

Zoom in: D.C.'s bill props up local bicycle shops by offering grants to train staff to become e-bike mechanics. The city is also offering $50,000 grants for businesses opening a shop selling or repairing e-bikes in Ward 7 or 8.

The program will have $500,000 in funding.

What's next: It is anticipated to take effect later this year. The District Department of Transportation will need to decide whether to issue the incentives as rebates or vouchers.

The bill's author, Charles Allen, prefers the voucher option to give residents, particularly lower-income people, purchasing power up front.

Buying electric bikes just got more affordable in D.C.

Lower-income riders could get up to $1,500 for a standard e-bike, plus money off maintenance, bike locks and more.

Illustration of an electric bike with a lightning bolt on the frame.

Electric power

D.C. residents can soon get vouchers or rebates to buy and maintain electric bikes.Why it matters: D.C. wants to make zippy e-bikes more affordable for lower-income riders as it tries to expand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cycling accessibility" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2021/12/15/dc-bike-lanes-advocates" data-vars-content-id="39a71c48-7d07-4c0a-a307-57d612a8c677" data-vars-headline="Buying electric bikes just got more affordable in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2021/12/15/dc-bike-lanes-advocates" target="_self">cycling accessibility</a> in the city.

D.C. just took a big step toward providing relief in a part of Northeast prone to chronic flooding.

Why it matters: The newly completed Northeast Boundary Tunnel will help cut pollution to the Anacostia River and prevent flooding in several areas including Rhode Island Avenue, where 10 dogs died when floodwaters submerged a canine daycare this summer.

What's happening: DC Water finished digging the $585 million, 5.1-mile tunnel last week after five years of construction.

Context: D.C.'s historic sewer system gets overwhelmed in heavy rains. In addition to flooding, sewage water would overflow into the Anacostia.

How it works: The new tunnel is 100 feet underground running through Shaw, Bloomingdale, Edgewood, and south past Ivy City to the Anacostia River banks.

It will work along with an existing Anacostia River tunnel. They hold excess wastewater and divert it to Blue Plains, the city's water treatment plant, where it will be cleaned and safely reintroduced to waterways.

How the tunnel works to keep pollution out of the river. Images courtesy of D.C. Water

What they're saying: "The tunnel increases the capacity of the sewer system from a 2-5 year storm to a 15-year storm," DC Water spokesperson John Lisle wrote in an email to Axios. "Put another way, the likelihood of flooding is reduced from 50% in an average year to 7%."

"In a significant storm, there may still be some flooding, but it should be greatly reduced due to the added capacity."

Flashback: D.C. and the federal government struck a deal in 2005 to clean the area's waterways.

DC Water modified the agreement in 2015 to replace some tunneling projects with green infrastructure. Think: curbside rain gardens and permeable pavement to soak rainwater before it can carry pollutants into creeks and rivers.

What's next: Another tunnel will be built along the Potomac River from Georgetown to hook up with the treatment plant. That will clean up the waterfront, where there are currently several icky sewer outflow pipes that send bacteria and pollutants into the river on rainy days.

The city hopes to begin construction early next year, with operation anticipated by 2030.

New tunnel to help alleviate chronic flooding in Northeast D.C.

The newly completed project will also help cut pollution to the Anacostia River.

The new Northeast Boundary Tunnel. Photo courtesy D.C. Water

Flooding

D.C. just took a big step toward providing relief in a part of Northeast prone to chronic flooding.Why it matters: The newly completed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Northeast Boundary Tunnel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dcwater.com/nebp" data-vars-content-id="027dac32-dff8-47ff-ae72-8f12ab75024d" data-vars-headline="New tunnel to help alleviate chronic flooding in Northeast D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dcwater.com/nebp" target="_blank">Northeast Boundary Tunnel</a> will help cut pollution to the Anacostia River and prevent flooding in several areas including Rhode Island Avenue, where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="10 dogs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/08/15/district-dogs-daycare-flooding-10-killed/" data-vars-content-id="027dac32-dff8-47ff-ae72-8f12ab75024d" data-vars-headline="New tunnel to help alleviate chronic flooding in Northeast D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/08/15/district-dogs-daycare-flooding-10-killed/" target="_blank">10 dogs</a> died when floodwaters submerged a canine daycare this summer.

National

Congress delays government shutdown deadline until November

Senate

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

Clusters of lab-grown cells show role of key genes in brain disorders

Neuroscience

A look at the scientific breakthroughs changing the world, explorations in space and in worlds beyond our own and the threats posed to us by our own planet, both out of our control and of our own making.

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