Inside the fight over RFK Stadium on Capitol Hill

Catch up quick: The RFK bill in Congress would allow D.C. to reimagine the site's 190 acres, enabling a new stadium to be built — but also parkland, shops and homes. It cleared a logjam in the House this year, but it's now stuck in the Senate — and there's nothing Jayden Daniels can do about this one.

• Mayor Muriel Bowser and Co. wish the bill had passed five months ago.
• A committee vote is scheduled for Nov. 19.

But the real question is whether Democratic leaders in the Senate can finesse RFK into a congressional package during the lame-duck session.

• Here are the cast of characters working to make sure it happens — or not:

All those in favor:

Muriel Bowser: She wants to be the mayor who brings football back to D.C.

Roger Goodell: The NFL commissioner grew up in Washington, attended games at RFK Stadium and has spoken favorably about the chance of building a new stadium there. The league is lobbying for the bill to clear the Senate.

• "As the Washington Commanders determine where to play in the future, D.C. deserves a seat at the table," NFL spokesperson Tim Schlittner told Axios.

Chuck Schumer: The Democratic majority leader has recently spoken to Goodell about RFK and hinted that he's open to trying to move the bill this year, according to two sources close to the process.

• "The RFK bill is being looked at and Leader Schumer is consulting with the senators from Maryland and Virginia," a Schumer spokesperson told Axios.
• Insiders are cautiously optimistic that he'll attach the bill to a bigger piece of congressional legislation to pass by the end of this year — most likely the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act.

Josh Harris: The franchise owner is a local — but more importantly he wants to move ASAP on building a new stadium by the end of the decade, whether at RFK or elsewhere.

James Comer: The Republican congressman, better known for tangling with the Biden administration, shepherded the bill through the House as chair of the Oversight Committee.

All those against:

Steve Daines: The Montana Republican senator has wanted the Commanders to honor its old Native American emblem since May. Why? Per the request of the family of the logo's designer, Walter "Blackie" Wetzel, who hails from his state.

• But despite a new gold plaque crediting Wetzel and entreaties to Landover, the Daines blockade remains. Grandson Ryan Wetzel declined to say what more they'd like.

• In a statement, Daines said the team's moves are "a step in the right direction." But this month he criticized the franchise for nixing the old logo from a Darrell Green throwback jersey.

Mike Lee: The Republican senator from Utah could pose another roadblock as he considers introducing amendments requiring the District (or a sports franchise) to pay fair market value to the federal government for any portion of RFK land used for a team, according to a copy of the draft legislation. Other Republicans in the House tried a similar amendment.

• As the draft is currently written, D.C. gets a 99-year lease at no cost but will be on the hook for environmental cleanup.

Maryland's senators: Democrats Chris Van Hollen and the outgoing Ben Cardin don't want to give the Commanders any more reason to abandon Prince George's County, so bet on them — and Cardin's successor — behind the scenes stifling the RFK bill.

Hill East homeowners: Many neighbors of RFK ain't keen on a new stadium — with all its traffic and construction.

Stef Kight and Hans Nichols contributed reporting.

💭 The wildcard in all this: If the developer from New York wins the presidential race. ... Will he want everything to do with building an NFL stadium? Town Talker is a weekly column about money and power in Washington. Tell me about the talk of the town: [email protected]