Washington, D.C

Why DC is stuck as America’s continental colony

Published

2 years ago

March 11, 2023

Why DC is stuck as America’s continental colony

Congress got here collectively in a uncommon present of bipartisanship this week. What introduced the opposing sides collectively? Effectively, it wasn’t determining the debt ceiling or the warfare in Ukraine, it was voting down Washington, DC’s proposed new legal code.

The brand new code had been within the works for over a decade and would have been the primary overhaul of the District’s legal statutes since 1901. Lots of the modifications have been uncontroversial, however federal lawmakers couldn’t get behind the replace’s decrease most penalties for some violent crimes.

Advocates stated these modifications merely would have introduced the code into alignment with the penalties judges truly dispense. However that argument wasn’t persuasive to Republicans — and plenty of Democrats — in Congress, the place the proposal was excoriated as being “gentle on crime.” DC’s mayor and police chief had additionally objected to facets of the replace for related causes.

Republicans in Congress rag on big-city mayors on a regular basis, however they don’t have the power to step in and alter native legal guidelines — besides in DC. Although the capital metropolis has had “dwelling rule” for the reason that Seventies, by legislation, each invoice handed by DC’s metropolis council goes to Congress for a assessment.

Then the president has the ultimate say; they will block Congress from disapproving of District laws. Previously, President Joe Biden has been a vocal supporter of DC autonomy. However not this time.

“I assist DC Statehood and home-rule — however I don’t assist a few of the modifications DC Council put ahead over the Mayor’s objections — similar to reducing penalties for carjackings,” the President tweeted.

The saga has been a brutal setback for advocates of elevated DC autonomy, stated Martin Austermuhle, a reporter at WAMU within the District who has for years lined the proposed legal code replace.

“There’s normally a number of noise from Republicans on the Hill the place they dislike issues that DC is doing, which is actually because it is a Democratic metropolis,” Austermuhle informed At present, Defined co-host Sean Rameswaram. ”However for it to get this far and for Democrats and Republicans to be united on this problem towards the District is just about exceptional.”

Beneath is an excerpt of the dialog between Austermuhle and Rameswaram, edited for size and readability.

Sean Rameswaram

Are you able to simply remind folks how DC’s authorities works in live performance with the federal authorities?

Martin Austermuhle

Yeah, it’s a kind of very complicated issues within the sense that nowhere else within the nation is like DC. To start with, DC will not be a state. And DC solely acquired its personal mayor and elected metropolis council again within the mid-Seventies. It’s fairly restricted dwelling rule. It’s not like, right here, govern yourselves and we’ll simply step out of the best way form of factor. It’s: Every little thing that DC does might be checked by Congress.

Primarily, Congress is the last word examine and steadiness on the District’s native affairs. So any invoice that clears the DC Council goes to Congress, Congress will get an opportunity to weigh in. Congress has the ability to mainly inform the district it could possibly’t do sure issues by placing provisions within the federal finances that say DC can’t spend cash on needle change packages. It will probably’t spend cash to legalize the sale of leisure marijuana. It will probably’t spend cash subsidizing abortion for low-income ladies. And people are all issues that Congress has completed to DC and is presently doing to DC.

It’s a really sort of fraught relationship as a result of DC did get the prospect to control itself — with grownup supervision.

Sean Rameswaram

I feel the marijuana instance you rapidly alluded to there may be certainly one of possibly essentially the most illustrative of all of them as a result of I feel lots of people throughout this nation now had the expertise of getting marijuana legalized for both leisure or medicinal use on the state degree, whereas it’s unlawful on the federal degree. However in DC, it’s a a lot murkier state of affairs. May you clarify it to individuals who aren’t acquainted?

Martin Austermuhle

Again in 2014, DC voters permitted a poll initiative that legalized the possession, dwelling cultivation, private use, and gifting of small quantities of marijuana. So every part however gross sales.

Sean Rameswaram

Which is to say that if you happen to go right into a marijuana dispensary in DC, you don’t purchase marijuana. You give them like $20 for a portray or a bracelet they usually offer you some marijuana together with stated portray or bracelet as a present.

Martin Austermuhle

Yeah, it’s a really complicated, convoluted, and fully congressionally made actuality as a result of after DC voters permitted this poll initiative, Congress got here again, congressional Republicans got here again and stated, effectively, pay attention, that’s nice and good, however you’re not doing something in the case of leisure gross sales. So that they put what’s referred to as the finances rider, basically a prohibition on the town saying you possibly can’t legalize leisure gross sales. That was in 2015 and it nonetheless exists right now.

So we have now this market the place actually dozens of shops throughout the town, you possibly can pay 50, 60 bucks for a sticker or a cookie and also you get your “present of marijuana.” However like, let’s be trustworthy, all of us sort of perceive what’s taking place: You’re shopping for marijuana.

Sean Rameswaram

And, after all, there’s a very lively motion within the District of Columbia to alter this establishment.

Martin Austermuhle

It ebbs and flows. There’s occasions the place folks say, pay attention, the last word battle is statehood, and that’s what we have now to go for. After which there’s moments the place they are saying statehood is rarely going to occur. Let’s go for one thing else. Let’s attempt for, let’s say, like a full voting consultant within the Home of Representatives as a result of proper now it’s only a non-voting delegate. Nothing has moved significantly far.

It was solely about eight years in the past that the battle for statehood turned sort of the principle purpose, the driving purpose for metropolis officers. And it truly acquired comparatively far. I imply, the Home of Representatives, when it was managed by Democrats, voted twice on a invoice that might have made DC the 51st state. Now, the Senate has by no means completed the identical due to the filibuster, mainly. And so the town has been caught with out statehood nonetheless.

However it has made progress in making the difficulty extra of a nationwide problem and tying it to voting rights and saying, pay attention, if you happen to imagine in increasing voting entry, increasing voting rights, you must also imagine in statehood.

Sean Rameswaram

And when Biden got here out final week and stated he wasn’t going to assist this crime invoice, he wasn’t going to make use of his veto, his assertion was — and I’m studying right here — “I assist DC statehood and residential rule, however I don’t assist a few of the modifications DC Metropolis Council put ahead over the mayor’s objections, similar to reducing penalties for carjacking,” which a bookstore in DC retweeted, saying, “Look, of us, I absolutely assist the Insurgent Alliance, however development of the Loss of life Star should proceed on schedule.” How difficult is Biden’s assist of DC statehood made by his actions up to now week?

Martin Austermuhle

It’s acquired lots of people confused as a result of clearly they recognize that President Biden helps statehood, has stated he helps statehood. And final yr, he tied the difficulty of statehood to his broader battle for voting rights, for entry to the poll and that form of stuff. However now he’s successfully attempting to please nobody, apparently, by saying I assist statehood and I assist the district’s proper to control itself, besides on this one case the place I actually don’t assist the district’s proper to control itself. And this is the reason I’m not going to step into this battle that Congress is having with DC. So, yeah, at greatest it’s complicated. At worst, it’s gotten lots of people fairly pissed.

Sean Rameswaram

What are the most important limitations to DC attaining its form of perpetual purpose of being a state?

Martin Austermuhle

I imply, relies upon who you ask. There’s of us that simply say, “It’s a metropolis filled with Democrats, which implies it’s going to realize two senators which might be going to be Democrats, which implies it’s going to learn Democrats within the Senate.” So there’s a really partisan angle to it. There’s additionally of us who may elevate lesser considerations, stuff like DC is simply geographically not large enough. And sure, it will be the smallest state by geography, although it will have extra folks than Vermont or Wyoming. Some Republican senators have raised considerations, together with that there’s not sufficient miners and loggers in DC.

Martin Austermuhle

You already know, there are some constitutional considerations the place they are saying the founders wished a spot for the federal authorities that was insulated from the states, the place Marylanders and Virginians couldn’t storm the Capitol. Mockingly, you recognize, when January 6 occurred, it was DC law enforcement officials that helped clear the Capitol. That’s however this concept that DC has to exist in this sort of impartial territory, and so thus DC may by no means be a state as a result of then it’s not impartial, after which the federal authorities is on the threat of being on the whims of simply the District.

Sean Rameswaram

However in the meantime, you’ve acquired Biden saying he helps statehood. I feel Trump at CPAC this yr stated the federal authorities ought to take over administration of DC, and you bought 700,000 folks caught within the center with out a lot of a proper to self-govern.

Martin Austermuhle

I don’t know that anyone may have foreseen this actual sequence of occasions taking place the best way it did. There was all the time an assumption that, okay, wonderful, this legal code invoice will go to the Hill. Republicans will vote to disapprove it. However we’ve acquired the Senate that’s run by Democrats after which that fell. Effectively, wonderful. We’ve acquired Biden. He’s the last word backstop. There’s no method that President Biden, a supporter of statehood, wouldn’t veto this. After which President Biden says, no, I’m not going to veto this.

There’s some collective anger concerning the state of affairs the District has all the time discovered itself in and continues to seek out itself in. However there’s additionally some finger-pointing internally of, was this a strategic mistake by us? Was this simply the incorrect time to debate legal justice reform and reforming legal legal guidelines? Shouldn’t we simply wait until Democrats at the least have possibly retaken the Home so we are able to at the least have that as a backstop? So there’s a number of layers to this. It’s difficult.

Sean Rameswaram

And within the meantime, we have now a joke on our license plate.

Martin Austermuhle

“Finish taxation with out illustration.” I imply, at the least you’ve acquired that. You’ve acquired the license plate.

Sean Rameswaram

Yeah. Good. To be honest, I favored it extra when it simply stated “Taxation with out illustration,” it felt form of self-deprecating. Now it feels identical to this hopeless slogan that’s by no means going to do something, however …

Martin Austermuhle

However that being stated, the district is rolling out a brand new license plate this yr. It’s going to come back out quickly. It’s going to say, ”We demand statehood.” So …

Sean Rameswaram

Wow!

Martin Austermuhle

I do know, there’s that.

Sean Rameswaram

The joke is over.

Martin Austermuhle

I imply, it’s not … you don’t get a brand new legal code, however you get a license plate that claims, “We demand statehood.” So there you go.

Sure, I am going to give $120/yr

We settle for bank card, Apple Pay, and

Google Pay. You may also contribute through

Source link

Washington, D.C

Evansville native in Washington D.C. for Trump’s inauguration

Published

8 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

Evansville native in Washington D.C. for Trump’s inauguration

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – With Inauguration Day just around the corner, we spoke to an Evansville native who’s in Washington D.C. hoping to attend the event.

Evansville native Mike Boatman is a member of the Front Row Joes, a group that follows Donald Trump across the country. He arrived in Washington D.C. Friday morning.

He says he picked up his Inauguration tickets and was told they may not be valid.

Boatman says he was sad to hear the news that the inauguration would be moved inside the capitol and closed to the public.

He says he’s keeping a positive attitude about the sudden change in plans and says he’s happy to keep the ticket as a souvenir.

Boatman says he’ll now watch the inauguration from a jumbotron at capitol one arena and trying to be understanding of the situation.

“I’m disappointed because it’s my first one, but I mean, if it’s for safety reasons because of the cold or maybe because of security or threats, I don’t know, but I’m disappointed, but we need to do the right thing,” said Boatman.

Boatman says he can see a lot of fencing and barriers set up around the capitol building, although he says he’s not feeling concerned about security or his safety.

He’s looking forward now to going to Trump’s victory rally on Sunday and he predicts it’ll be the biggest one yet.

Source link

Washington, D.C

Inauguration Day Weather Likely To Be Coldest Since 1985 | Weather.com

Published

15 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

Inauguration Day Weather Likely To Be Coldest Since 1985 | Weather.com

Fish-eye view of the rotunda in the U.S. Capitol, just prior to the swearing-in ceremony of Ronald Reagan, January 21, 1985. Architect of the Capitol photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division — Inauguration of Ronald Reagan, 1985, which had to be moved into the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol due to extreme cold.
(Architect of the Capitol photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Photographs Division)

The presidential inauguration ceremony will take place on what could be the coldest inauguration day since 1985.
The forecast high for Washington, D.C., is in the upper teens to low 20s.
It is likely that Donald Trump will be inaugurated indoors due to the cold.
The high on Inauguration Day has only been below freezing once since 1985, in 2009.

The 2025 United States Presidential Inauguration is now more likely to be moved indoors due to the coldest weather for an inauguration in 40 years for Washington, D.C., with a high in the upper teens to low 20s.

This will be the first inauguration to be held indoors in 40 years. The record for the coldest January inauguration is currently held by the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan in 1985, when the temperature at noon for the swearing-in ceremony was only 7 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather for this year’s inauguration is forecast to somewhat mimic that of 1985, which took place on Jan. 21. The high temperature that day was 17 degrees, with sunny skies and afternoon wind chills in the minus 10 to minus 20-degree range. The parade was ultimately canceled, and the swearing-in ceremony had to be held indoors.

The Rotunda is prepared as the inclement weather alternative for each inauguration in the event of inclement weather, according to the Associated Press.

The 2025 Inauguration will be similarly sunny, with wind chills in the lower teens or single digits and winds gusting up to 35 mph in the afternoon. During the ceremony, the temperature will hover in the lower 20s.

Alternate plans are required for the more roughly 250,000 guests ticketed to view the inauguration from around the Capitol grounds and the tens of thousands more expected to be in general admission areas or to line the inaugural parade route from the Capitol to the White House.

Trump said some supporters would be able to watch the ceremony from Washington’s Capital One area on Monday, a day after he plans to hold a rally there. He said he would visit the arena after his swearing-in.

The current forecast high for Inauguration Day is only a couple of degrees above the current record for coldest afternoon high on Jan. 20, though it would break the record for the coldest Inauguration to take place on that date.

Only one other year had a sub-freezing high on inauguration day: Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009.

The warmest January Inauguration Day took place in 1981 for Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration, meaning Reagan’s two inaugurations hold the record for the warmest and coldest January Inauguration.

Warmer inaugurations have happened though: Before the 20th Amendment was enacted, Inauguration Day traditionally took place on March 4, which has an average high of 50.2 degrees. Jan. 20 has a cooler average high of 42.9 degrees.

The all-time record high for a U.S. presidential inauguration was set in August 1974 with the Inauguration of Gerald Ford with a high of 83 degrees, though that was a non-traditional inauguration date prompted by the resignation of Richard Nixon.

Here’s a look at some other notable inauguration day weather.

Snowiest Inauguration: William Taft, 1909

On the day of William H. Taft’s 1909 inauguration, nearly 10 inches of snow fell, setting the record for inauguration day. The snow and wind began the day before, with strong winds toppling trees and telephone poles. Trains were stalled and city streets clogged. All activity was brought to a standstill. Sanitation workers shoveled sand and snow through half the night. It took 6,000 men and 500 wagons to clear 58,000 tons of snow and slush from the parade route.

Inauguration of William H. Taft, 1909
(Library of Congress)

Fun fact: Historically speaking, there is approximately a 30% chance of snow on the ground in Washington, D.C., from a previous system for the date Jan. 20.

Worst Inauguration Day Travel: JFK, 1961

On the eve of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961, 8 inches of snow fell causing the most crippling traffic jam of its time. Hundreds of cars were stranded and abandoned. The president-elect had to cancel dinner plans and, in a struggle to keep other commitments, is reported to have had only 4 hours of sleep. Former President Herbert Hoover was unable to fly into Washington National Airport because of the weather and missed the swearing-in ceremony. By sunrise, the snowfall had ended and the skies cleared but the day remained bitterly cold.

An army of men worked all night to clear Pennsylvania Avenue, and despite the cold, a large crowd turned out for the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural parade. At noon, the temperature was only 22 degrees with the wind blowing from the northwest at 19 mph making it feel like the temperature was just 7 degrees.

Fatal Inaugurations: William Henry Harrison, 1841, and Franklin Pierce, 1853

The weather has caused two inaugurations to have fatal implications, and the most historically significant fatality was that of William Henry Harrison in 1841. Harrison decided to brave the elements and deliver the longest inauguration speech ever, an oration lasting an hour, and 40 minutes.

It was a cloudy, cold and blustery day, and the National Weather Service has estimated the temperature at noon to be approximately 48 degrees.

Harrison, who wore neither hat nor overcoat, also rode a horse to and from the Capitol ceremony. He subsequently caught a cold that developed into pneumonia. Harrison died a month later.

Inauguration of President Franklin Pierce, 1853
(Library of Congress)

The second inauguration with a fatal effect was that of Franklin Pierce in 1853. The morning of the inauguration, there was heavy snow that continued until about half an hour before the ceremony. Skies looked to be brightening by noon, but the snow resumed shortly after Pierce took the oath of office.

The heavy snow dispersed much of the crowd and ruined plans for the parade. Abigail Fillmore, first lady to the outgoing President Millard Fillmore, sat on the cold, wet, exposed platform during Pierce’s swearing-in ceremony. She caught a cold that developed into pneumonia and died at the end of the month.

Rainiest Inauguration: Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1937

The first inauguration to be held on Jan. 20 – Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second inauguration in 1937 – also set the record for the heaviest rain on inauguration day. The day was cold and rainy, with sleet and freezing rain in the morning. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., a period that includes the swearing-in ceremony, nearly three-quarters of an inch of rain fell.

Inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1937
(Library of Congress)

Roosevelt insisted on riding back to the White House in an open car with half an inch of water on the floor. Total rainfall for the day was 1.77 inches, which remains the rainfall record for Jan. 20.

First Outdoor Oath: James Monroe, 1817

The first seven inauguration ceremonies from 1789 to 1813 were conducted indoors, making James Monroe’s 1817 inauguration the first that was held outdoors in the weather. Luckily, it was warm and sunny that day, with an estimated temperature at noon of 50 degrees.

Sara Tonks is a content meteorologist with weather.com and has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Georgia Tech in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences along with a master’s degree from Unity Environmental University in Marine Science.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source link

Washington, D.C

The Southern Group launches federal presence with TSG Advocates in Washington, D.C.

Published

23 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

The Southern Group launches federal presence with TSG Advocates in Washington, D.C.

A new chapter begins as The Southern Group takes its trusted advocacy model to the heart of the nation’s capital and launches TSG Advocates, a new federal lobbying practice.

With a deep-rooted presence across the Southeast, The Southern Group is now making its mark in Washington, D.C. The firm’s latest expansion, led by seasoned political experts Daniel Diaz-Balart and Chase Kroll, brings a dedicated federal lobbying arm. TSG Advocates combines its subject-matter expertise with a broad national network to offer a unique, relationship-driven approach to federal advocacy.

This move marks the next step in a 25-year journey for The Southern Group, as it transitions from its Florida roots to becoming a national influence network.

Diaz-Balart and Kroll are two distinguished government-relations professionals with a wealth of experience spanning foreign affairs, political strategy and policy advocacy. Their combined expertise in industries like defense, energy, health care, tax and financial services positions TSG Advocates to stand out as a trusted advocate for businesses navigating the complex federal landscape.

“Businesses will need strong representation in D.C. to take advantage of unprecedented opportunities in the coming years,” said Diaz-Balart, founding member of TSG Advocates. “With TSG Advocates’ connections in Florida and on the ground in Washington, D.C., I can’t think of a firm better positioned to help clients capture those opportunities.”

TSG Advocates’ launch is part of The Southern Group’s strategy to broaden its footprint at the federal level. With many prominent Florida leaders stepping into key roles in the new administration, the firm is poised to leverage its robust network and longstanding relationships in Florida to influence policy at the national stage.

“We’re building our federal practice with an eye on success over the next century, not just the next administration,” said TSG Senior Managing Partner for Growth, Rachel Cone. “Having well-connected leaders like Daniel and Chase at the helm in D.C. ensures we’re positioned to deliver high-level results for our clients over the long-term.”

Diaz-Balart’s career has spanned foreign policy, defense contracting, and governmental affairs, all while leading his own legal practice in south Florida. With years of experience advocating for foreign governments like Taiwan and the Dominican Republic, Daniel has played a critical role in policy strategy across multiple sectors, including space exploration, defense, and more.

“Daniel is an effective and knowledgeable advocate who couples his approach with an infectious optimism,” said U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez of Florida. “He stands out for his professionalism and is a true pleasure to work with.”

Kroll, an accomplished political strategist with more than 14 years of experience in federal policy and international relations, also joins TSG Advocates. With a background in digital media, communications and traditional lobbying, Kroll’s expertise lies in crafting effective, multifaceted campaigns that combine strategic political insight with innovative outreach tactics.

“Chase is an exceptional advocate and strategist, bridging the gap between policy goals and legislative realities,” said Norm Coleman, former U.S. Senator from Minnesota, Chair of the Congressional Leadership Fund Super PAC, and Senior Counsel at Hogan Lovells. “Chase’s knowledge of Washington, his knack for building bipartisan relationships, and his commitment to delivering client results make him a tremendous asset to TSG Advocates.”

His lobbying experience on behalf of defense contractors, municipal clients, and foreign governments — including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — further strengthens TSG Advocates’ capabilities.

TSG Advocates will continue to grow in the coming months, adding to the firm’s federal influence. The firm plans to hire additional subject-matter experts in emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency.

Post Views: 0

Source link