Scoop: D.C. is planning $1.1B in cuts after House goes on recess
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Mayor Bowser made a last minute plea to Congress on Thursday. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
The District is preparing to begin phasing in $1.1 billion in cuts after the House recessed on Thursday without approving a fix to D.C.'s budget, according to a city source with knowledge of the planning.
Why it matters: What was expected to be a quick fix to a problem created by Congress is now increasingly likely to lead to hiring freezes and program cuts, including to critical agencies like police and school programs.
State of play: The House is off until the 28th. The Republican majority sat on a bill to save D.C.'s budget that was approved by the Senate on March 14 — with President Trump's endorsement.
- The issue stems from the government funding bill that Congress approved last month. It treated D.C. as a federal agency — an unusual move that requires the District to curtail its budget spending to the previous fiscal year's funding levels.
- Since D.C.'s budget increased year-over-year, that means cuts are needed.
Behind the scenes: Spending freezes are expected to start this month, with hopes that the House comes back in a few weeks to approve the bill and stave off the full $1.1 billion in cuts, the source said.
- Budget officials huddled with Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee on Thursday for scenario planning, said the source, who asked for anonymity because they aren't authorized to speak publicly about the planning.
- Program cuts, hiring freezes and layoffs are all on the table, the source said.
- A spokesperson for the mayor did not comment.
What they're saying: "These are our local dollars — not a penny in federal savings," Bowser posted on X Thursday morning. "Cuts that would impact DC police overtime, firefighters, and programs for our kids. Cuts that would also impact national special security events."
- Bowser and House Speaker Mike Johnson spoke on the phone Monday about a path forward, Politico reported, but the bill never got to the floor.
Between the lines: The House holdup is also delaying Bowser from releasing next year's budget proposal.