What to Know
- House Resolution 5233 would repeal a referendum, approved by D.C. voters in 2013, that granted the District budget autonomy.
- It allowed Washington to spend local tax collections and non-Federal funds without congressional approval.
- Senior advisors to the president said they would recommend he veto the bill.
The White House announced President Barack Obama could potentially veto the congressional measure to take away Washington, D.C.’s ability to spend its own money without approval from Capitol Hill.
House Resolution 5233 would repeal a referendum, approved by D.C. voters in 2013, that granted the District budget autonomy. It allowed Washington to spend local tax collections and non-Federal funds without congressional approval.
The House bill is expected to go to the floor on Wednesday. However, senior advisors to Obama said they would recommend the president veto the bill.
“The residents of the District and their elected leaders deserve to have the same ability as other U.S. residents and elected leaders to determine how to use their local revenues to address their unique needs,” a statement of administration policy read. “Such authority is fundamental to a well-functioning democracy, and the Congress denying the District this authority is an affront to the residents and elected leaders of the District.”
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) expressed her appreciation to the Obama administration for signaling their intention to veto.
“I am enormously grateful to the White House for strongly supporting D.C. home rule and condemning this latest effort by House Republicans to trample on the will of our voters,” Norton said. “ Budget autonomy has tremendous benefits for the District’s finances and daily operations, and Congress would lose nothing. The White House’s veto threat will give us momentum as we battle to keep the repeal bill from moving in the Senate or being attached to an omnibus later this year.”
