Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser is waiting until Congress resolves the fiscal 2025 funding gap for the district before she reveals her budget proposal for fiscal year 2026.
In the continuing resolution passed earlier this month to avert a government shutdown, roughly $1 billion in local funds for D.C. were cut for the remainder of fiscal year 2025. D.C. officials have maintained that the cut funds would not save the federal government any money, but would harm the city’s ability to fund essential services.
The Senate unanimously passed a bill that would restore the funding, with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) saying the legislation had support from House Republicans and President Donald Trump. The bill is still pending a vote in the House of Representatives.
With the funds still not included in the government’s enacted fiscal 2025 stopgap, D.C. City Administrator Kevin Donahue said the unveiling of a budget for the district is on hold until there is further action.
“We need clarity from Congress on a legislative fix to the Continuing Resolution before submitting a balanced and certified budget to the Council,” Donahue said in a statement, according to the Washington Post. “The Executive looks forward to submitting our FY26 budget focused on schools, a clean and safe DC, and a robust growth agenda.”
Bowser has previously said the district will make its financial obligations, but that she and other D.C. leaders have made restoring the funds a key priority.
“We are actively working with our congressional allies to ensure the House of Representatives expedites the approval of this critical bipartisan measure just as soon as possible. So despite these challenges, I want to be clear about this. We will meet our financial obligations, and we will maintain the high standard of services that our residents, businesses, and visitors expect. We’re going to stay focused,” Bowser said earlier this month.
TRUMP CALLS ON HOUSE TO PASS DC FUNDING ‘FIX’ TO SPENDING DEAL FREEZE
D.C. officials may not have to hold out much longer on the restoration of funds, after Trump publicly pushed the House of Representatives to “fix” the gap “immediately” on Friday. After Trump’s statement, Bowser reiterated that she will roll out the budget after the “fix” is passed.
“I am pleased that President Trump supports the House immediately passing the DC funding fix, as passed by the Senate, and I look forward to the House’s swift action,” Bowser said Friday. “And with this fix, I look forward to sending a balanced and certified budget to the Council focused on our schools, a clean and safe DC, and a robust growth agenda.”
The House of Representatives is reportedly eyeing to bring the legislation up for a vote before their scheduled recess beginning on April 10.