Eleanor Holmes Norton

05/14/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/14/2025 13:46

On Two-Month Anniversary of Senate Passage of Bill to fix D.C. Budget Issue, Norton Urges House Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On the two-month anniversary of Senate passage of a bill to correct an issue caused by the recent continuing resolution (CR) to cause a projected $1 billion shortfall to D.C.'s local budget through the end of the fiscal year, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) again urged the House to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Even after the District invoked a 2009 law that would allow it to increase its approved budget by up to 6%, D.C. is facing a projected $400 million shortfall by the end of the fiscal year because of the CR - despite having the funds, which are raised from its own local revenue and include zero federal dollars.

The CR passed in March omitted a longstanding provision to allow D.C. to continue spending under its local fiscal year 2025 budget, forcing the District to revert to spending at fiscal year 2024 levels for the remainder of the fiscal year. The Senate passed a bill, introduced by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on March 14 to correct the issue, immediately after passing the CR, but the House has yet to vote on it. President Trump called for immediate House passage of Collins' bill on March 28.

"It has now been two months since the Senate passed Senator Collins' bill to correct the problem caused by the CR, while the House has yet to vote on the bill, despite President Trump himself calling for it," Norton said. "I am grateful the Senate worked swiftly to correct this grave and intentional omission that has devastating consequences for the District. It's time for the House to do its part and bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

"This ordeal only helps to highlight the need for D.C. statehood so that D.C. can finally govern itself to the same extent afforded to the states, including making decisions about how to use its own local funds."

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