Washington, D.C., faces a potential $1.1 billion budget reduction under a Republican-proposed federal spending bill, prompting concerns about significant cuts to essential public services, including law enforcement, education, and transportation.
The bill, introduced by House Republicans to prevent a government shutdown and fund federal agencies through September 30, requires the District to revert to its fiscal year 2024 budget. Mayor Muriel Bowser described this mandate as “potentially devastating,” noting it would necessitate over $1 billion in cuts within a six-month period.
“We are not a federal agency. We are a city, county, state all at once,” Bowser stated during a Monday news conference. “Our budget was balanced and approved, and if we go back to fiscal 2024 levels, we would be forced to reduce spending by $1.1 billion in only six months.”
The proposed cuts could lead to substantial layoffs affecting first responders, police officers, teachers, and employees of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Ten D.C. agencies, which collectively account for 70% of the local funds budget, are at risk:
- Metropolitan Police Department
- Fire and Emergency Medical Services
- D.C. Public Schools
- D.C. Public Charter Schools
- Debt service
- Department of Health Care Finance
- WMATA
- Department of Human Services
- Department of General Services
- Department of Behavioral Health
“Being forced to cut police officers, teachers, bus/rail service, and first responders would contravene the Trump Administration’s vision of making D.C. a world-class national capital,” Bowser emphasized in a memo to Congress.
D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson underscored that the city’s budget comprises primarily local revenues, with federal payments representing just 0.8% of the total budget. “It’s not really savings because these are D.C. dollars, not federal dollars,” Mendelson explained. “Most folks unfortunately think that D.C. is funded by the federal government. We are not.”
The abrupt spending reductions could also jeopardize capital projects and downgrade the city’s bond rating, leading to increased borrowing costs. “With this bill, House Republicans have intentionally committed nothing short of fiscal sabotage against D.C.,” asserted Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton.
Mayor Bowser has called on Congress to amend the bill’s language, emphasizing that the proposed cuts would not yield federal savings, as the District raises and allocates its own funds similar to other states. She warned that the spending slash would undermine efforts to make Washington, D.C., “the best, most beautiful city in the world.”