How a Democratic Congress could help D.C. — and Janeese Lewis George
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Tom Brenner/Getty Images
The new blue Congress could put the brakes on President Trump's construction spree in D.C. — and give Mayor-elect Janeese Lewis George powerful allies on the Hill.
Why it matters: The national rebuke of President Trump has big impacts for hometown D.C.
State of play: D.C.'s leaders are upbeat about a friendlier Congress after years of antagonism (remember last year when Republicans blocked the city from spending $1 billion of its own money?).
- Democrats will retake the House Oversight Committee, replacing Kentucky Republican James Comer, who led efforts to overturn D.C. laws.
- A Democratic Congress could guard the city's autonomy and advance Lewis George's priorities. JLG wants Congress to fund more D.C. judges, so that criminal cases and landlord-tenant disputes don't face delays.
- Their legislating might also produce federal grants — say, for housing or climate goals — that would pad D.C.'s budget.
Follow the money: Minding that money will likely be Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who's bidding to chair the all-important House Appropriations Committee.
- Observers see DeLauro as a friend to local D.C.; way back, she helped former Mayor Anthony Williams climb the political ladder.
Incoming D.C. Del. Robert White tells Axios he'll draft a proposal that would help the city recover from DOGE — the same way towns that lose military bases get relief packages.
- "We're going to look at innovative ways to see if we can incentivize businesses to relocate to D.C.," White adds.
On the ground, Democrats could use their new power to slow Trump's construction spree, including by challenging projects like the East Wing ballroom over their lack of congressional approval.
- Democrats will also gain influence on the Trump-loyalist-heavy National Capital Planning Commission, replacing two Republicans on the federal panel that Trump has used to remake Washington.
Zoom in: Lewis George says she's already established ties with Hakeem Jeffries, who's poised to become House speaker.
- There's a hint of caution in JLG's strategy: She told reporters on Tuesday night that she'll give Jeffries a heads-up for any local proposals that might "even ruffle some Republican feathers."
- "It's not about running [my ideas] through Congress," Lewis George told reporters on Wednesday. "It's about making sure the Democrats in Congress know what the District is doing, so they are best equipped to defend us."
What's ahead: She believes closer ties will set up the "groundwork" to push for statehood in 2028.