As a shutdown of the federal government looms, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says the local government will continue to function and will pick up some federal functions, such as picking up trash on federal land.
"Washington D.C. is open," Bowser said in a press conference Friday morning on the National Mall. "Regardless of whether or not the federal government shuts down, the D.C. government will be open for business."
"We are here to do our job, and we call on the Congress to do their job," she continued.
If the government shuts down, crews with the D.C. Department of Public Works (DPW) will pick up trash from 126 federal properties in the city, including the National Mall, Pennsylvania Avenue and Dupont Circle.
If it snows, the same crews will clear roads the National Park Service usually would clear.
"People from across the nation and around the world come to visit our nation's capitol, and we take great pride in our city and want to ensure it looks clean and its best, regardless of what's happening at the federal level," DPW director Christopher Shorter said.
The work will cost an estimated $100,000 per week. D.C. could request reimbursement from the federal government for costs incurred during the shutdown, or could include these costs in federal payment budget requests.
The mayor urged tourists to continue to visit D.C. if members of Congress and President Donald Trump can't reach a deal to keep the government open.
"As always, we welcome visitors to come and enjoy our restaurants, shops and our vibrant neighborhoods throughout all eight wards of Washington, D.C.," Bowser said.
The police and fire departments would not be affected by a shutdown, as they are essential government services.
City offices will remain open, and benefits from Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) would continue.
