Washington, D.C

‘A major first step’: Local leaders react to Senate’s unanimous approval of DC budget bill – WTOP News

Published

9 months ago

March 15, 2025

‘A major first step’: Local leaders react to Senate’s unanimous approval of DC budget bill – WTOP News

D.C. leaders are reacting to a bill that would reverse a provision to the spending package that would have required over $1 billion in cuts to D.C.’s budget.

On Friday, just minutes after passing a continuing resolution that would fund the government for six more months, U.S. senators voted to pass a bill that would reverse a provision to the spending package that would have required more than $1 billion in cuts to D.C.’s budget.

The “District of Columbia Local Funds Act of 2025” was endorsed by Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-M.E.) and Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D), and passed by a voice vote.

Collins said the legislation would correct the situation that arose from the broader package to prevent a government shutdown and assured, “There are no federal dollars involved.”

Van Hollen said the proposed cuts to the D.C. budget would’ve stripped District residents of their ability to make decisions on where their tax money goes.

“The House provision would have saved the federal taxpayers zero money, but what it did was prevent the District of Columbia from spending its own money on services that it thinks are important,” Van Hollen told WTOP in an interview following the vote.

“Without this bill, we would have seen cuts to police, cuts to schools, cuts to firefighters,” he added.

In approving the legislation, the Senate allows D.C. to keep its 2025 budget of $21 billion instead of rolling back $1.1 billion to its 2024 budget. The original government spending package would’ve treated the city of D.C. like a federal agency, returning it to the 2024 budget within the next six months.

In a statement, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called the passing of the fix plan “a major first step as we continue working with the House of Representatives.”

“DC is proud of our strong financial management, balanced budgets, and strong bond rating,” she wrote. “As we work toward final passage, we will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with the DC Council… to meet our obligations, provide services, and invest in our growth.”

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, however, noted that it was “disappointing” that the legislation was passed by a narrow vote, making the District “collateral damage in a national, partisan fight.”

“Congress has changed the rules in the middle of the game, so to speak, because twice last fall Congress gave us the go-ahead to spend at FY 2025 levels. This is not responsible governing,” Mendelson added.

In an interview with WTOP, Mendelson added that the council and Mayor Bowser will spend the next 10 days making sure members of the House take up the bill, “they take it up quickly, and, of course, they take it up positively.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised the D.C. fix plan, saying, “This legislation will make sure that we take care of the residents of the District… This legislation is very good news for the residents of the District of Columbia, and I am happy we are passing this bill.”

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) testified before the vote on the bill that “these funds that have been cut are tax dollars that have literally already been paid by D.C. residents. And all this bill does is to continue to ensure that D.C. receives what it is owed.”

The cuts to D.C.’s budget would have greatly impacted public education, public safety and human services, At-Large D.C. Council member Christina Henderson explained to WTOP and in a viral video on X.

In a two-part video series, Henderson did a crash course on how D.C.’s budget functions and how the proposed provision in the government spending package would’ve affected the city.

House lawmakers are on recess but expected to consider it when they return on March 24.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

Source link

Click to comment

Washington, D.C

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

Published

5 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

TNND — A new report from the House Oversight Committee alleges former D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data. The committee released the report on Sunday, less than a week after Smith announced she was stepping down.

You’re lulling people into this false sense of security. They might go places they wouldn’t ordinarily go. They might do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association.

Included in the report were transcribed interviews with the commanders of all seven D.C. patrol districts and the former commander currently on suspended leave. One was asked, “Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?” Their response, “Yes, I mean extremethere’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration.”

Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital,” House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a statement.

“They are going to have to regain the public trust. Again, this is a huge integrity issue,” Brantner Smith said.

Among the reports findings, Smith’s alleged pressured campaign against staff led to inaccurate crime data. Smith punished or removed officers for reporting accurate crime numbers. Smith fostered a toxic culture and President Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in D.C. is working.

While Smith has not yet publicly responded to the report, she’s previously denied allegations of manipulating crime data, saying the investigation did not play a factor into her decision to step down at the end of the year.

My decision was not factored into anything with respect to, other than the fact that it’s time. I’ve had 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve had some time to think with my family,” Smith said earlier this month.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement Monday, writing in part that “the interim report betrays its bias from the outset, admitting that it was rushed to release.”

According to crime stats from the Metropolitan Police Department, since the federal law enforcement surge started in August, total violent crime is down 26%. Homicides are down 12% and carjackings 37%.

Source link

Washington, D.C

National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

Published

18 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

The first candle lit on the National Menorah near the White House in Washington, D.C., marked the first night of Hanukkah — and solemnly honored victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.

The National Menorah Lighting was held Sunday night, hours after gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, and over three dozen others were being treated at hospitals.

Authorities in Australia said it was a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.

Organizers behind the National Menorah Lighting said the news from Australia, along with the bitter cold, forced them to consider whether or not to hold the annual event.

After consulting with local law enforcement, National Menorah Lighting organizers decided to hold the event and honor the victims.

Several D.C.-area police departments issued statements confirming there are no known threats to local communities, but are monitoring just in case.

Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich condemned the attack and said community safety is a priority.

“Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation,” Elrich said. “I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County’s Jewish community who are shaken and concerned, and I want them to know that their safety is a priority.”

Source link

Washington, D.C

READ: Report accuses DC Police Chief Pamela Smith of ‘fear, intimidation, threats’

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

READ: Report accuses DC Police Chief Pamela Smith of ‘fear, intimidation, threats’

WASHINGTON (7News) — Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith is facing yet another scathing report accusing her of manipulating crime data in the city.

The 22-page document from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform comes less than a week after a separate draft report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and days after Chief Smith turned in her resignation.

The main difference between the Congressional report and the DOJ report is that this new one, released on December 14, contains transcribed interviews directly with commanders from all seven MPD patrol districts.

RELATED | DC Police settles with former employee over claims that crime numbers were manipulated

The testimony reveals how Chief Smith chastised and, in some cases, publicly humiliated staff in crime briefings.

“The Committee’s investigation heard consistent testimony about frustration and exhaustion among MPD commanders and the manifestation of a culture of fear, intimidation, threats, and retaliation by Chief Smith. Often, these manifestations were triggered whenever the Chief was presented with what she considers ‘bad news,’ particularly when that news pertained to any rise in public crime statistics. Chief Smith, according to testimonies, regularly took action against her subordinates who failed to aid in the preservation of her public image,” the report states on page two.

RELATED | Trump announces probe into DC police for inflating crime stats amid safety claims

The committee launched the investigation in August when whistleblowers came forward with concerns about data manipulation.

One line of questioning in the report states:

Question: Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?

Answer: Yes, I mean extreme… there’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration or regime, and you know, that has manifested publicly.

7News reached out to Mayor Bowser’s Office for a comment in response to the report. A spokesperson provided the following statement:

The men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department run towards danger every day to reduce homicides, carjackings, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and more. The precipitous decline in crime in our city is attributable to their hard work and dedication and Chief Smith’s leadership.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

I thank Chief Smith for her commitment to the safety of D.C. residents and for holding the Metropolitan Police Department to an exacting standard, and I expect no less from our next Chief of Police.

Source link