Washington, D.C

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

Published

1 year 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.

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Washington, D.C

Storm Team4 Forecast: Chance of severe storms before cooler Monday

Published

11 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Storm Team4 Forecast: Chance of severe storms before cooler Monday

4 things to know about the weather:

Storms overnight, severe chance
Cooler Monday
Clouds to start, then sunshine tomorrow
Cold next few mornings

After a very warm afternoon, there is a cold front that is approaching. The front will move through the area tonight, sparking showers and storms, then delivering colder air for the start of the new workweek.

There is a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH for our counties to the far northwest, including Maryland counties Washington, Allegany and Garrett, and a portion of Morgan county in West Virginia. The watch is until 10 p.m. Sunday.

There is a chance for storms to be severe tonight, including the risk of damaging winds and hail. The risk decreases through the night as the storms move south and east with the front. The storms may be noisy tonight with thunder, heavy rain, and hail. Expect drier conditions after sunrise tomorrow.

Do not forget your jacket Monday. The cooler air behind the front keeps the area in the 50s all day. Lows will drop into the 30s Monday night.

Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

QuickCast

TONIGHT:
Storms, severe possible
Wind: N 5-10 mph
Low: Mid 50s

MONDAY:
Showers before sunrise
AM clouds, afternoon sun
Wind: NNW 10-15 mph
Gusts @ 25 mph
High: Mid-Upper 50s

TUESDAY:
Mostly sunny
Wind: N light
High: Low 50s

WEDNESDAY:
Sun & Clouds
Wind: SW 5-10 mph
High: Lower 60s

SUNRISE: 7:06 AM SUNSET: 7:22 PM
AVERAGE HIGH: 58 AVERAGE LOW: 40

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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Washington, D.C

DC weather: Taste of summer turns to storms Sunday night into Monday morning

Published

23 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

DC weather: Taste of summer turns to storms Sunday night into Monday morning

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Forecasters are calling for a near-perfect spring setup on Sunday, with plenty of sunshine, blooming cherry blossoms, and temperatures soaring into the low to mid-80s across much of the region.

However, the warm, quiet weather won’t last long.

By the numbers:

After a cool start in the upper 40s and low 50s, temperatures are rising quickly under sunny skies. Many areas are expected to climb into the 80s this afternoon, with some spots pushing the mid to upper 80s.

It’s a brief but welcome preview of summer, and conditions couldn’t be better for getting outside.

With cherry blossoms nearing peak bloom, it’s an ideal day to head to the Tidal Basin, take a walk, or spend time outdoors with family and friends.

What we know:

A strong cold front moving in from Pennsylvania will bring increasing clouds later on Sunday, followed by a chance for showers and thunderstorms late Sunday night into early Monday.

Some storms could produce damaging winds or even small hail, especially to the north.

By Monday, the cold front pushes through, bringing a noticeable change.

Gusty winds up to 30+ mph develop in the afternoon
Temperatures fall back to more typical early spring levels
Morning showers taper off, with improving conditions later in the day

What’s next:

Looking ahead, the pattern stays active.

After a brief warm-up into the 60s midweek, another strong cold front is expected Thursday into Friday, bringing the next chance for unsettled weather.

The Source: Information from this article was provided by the FOX 5 Weather Team.

Washington, D.C.Weather

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Washington, D.C

Military deployment in D.C. could get extended until end or President Trump’s term

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Military deployment in D.C. could get extended until end or President Trump’s term

WASHINGTON (7News) — The District is reacting to the Pentagon’s alleged plan to keep National Guard members deployed in Washington, D.C. until 2029, the end of President Trump’s term, and his mission to make D.C. safe and beautiful.

At least 2,500 National Guard members have patrolled D.C. streets since last August.

ALSO READ | Judge rules National Guard deployment into DC was illegal; ruling faces appeal

Their deployment was initially scheduled to end in 2025. Then it was extended until the end of 2026. But now this could be home base for another three years.

Two U.S. officials told ABC News that the agency is planning to maintain a presence in the city through early 2029.

“We don’t need to have theater on our streets,” said Tropper Sanders, who has lived in the District for nearly 30 years.

The president first deployed the National Guard last summer, even as the District was already seeing historically low crime rates.

“There are crime and safety issues, but that should be handled with law enforcement and government,” said Sanders. “I think at a time when we are at war, we are expecting so much of our service members. We should not use their time in ways that are not essential.”

Some residents and city leaders said the military has helped clean up the city, but not with crime. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said he does not see the point of keeping the National Guard in D.C.

“I know that the President said it was all about law and order,” he said. “The National Guard does not do law enforcement. What I see is them walking around, during the snow, creating a path they were very good at, shoveling snow.”

Residents like Shanti Israni told 7News their presence is noticeable.

“They open people’s doors,” said Israni. “If there are people who need help with groceries, they’ve helped the people with groceries. They’re helping. But also, my hope is that people in the community can also fill that role.”

Mendelson said the deployment is costing taxpayers significantly.

“It could be $1.6 million a day,” said Mendelson. “That’s like between almost $400 million and $600 million a year. I don’t get the point.”

If they are ordered to stay, community members told 7News they want the city to put the services to good use.

“The mayor or the next mayor should really look at where the true hotspots or issues are where we can make the most of these servicemembers’ time,” said Tropper. “That does not necessarily have to be about crime. There are a lot of things that we can deploy these talented people to deal with. If we have to do this, then let’s at least figure out how the District can be so much better in 2029.”

“I also realize that the people making these decisions probably know a lot that we don’t,” said Israni. “If our country’s at war, I wonder if risks in D.C. will increase. If D.C. will become more of a target, maybe in that way it might be helpful to have people, but, if again, if the mission is keeping D.C. safe and beautiful, D.C.’s saving people already.”

A Pentagon spokesperson told ABC News, “The Department of War is committed to supporting the president’s mission to address the epidemic of crime in the nation’s capital. There are no announcements to make at this time.”

The District has been pushing back on the president’s deployment, with expectations of continuing to do so.

SEE ALSO | Legal questions grow over National Guard’s long-term presence in DC

“There’s pending litigation now,” said Mendelson. “The attorney general won preliminarily, and then it went up to the court of appeals, where there was a stay. It’s all pending. There’s further legal argument.”

Officials told ABC News the deployment plan was finalized last year and is awaiting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s signature.

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