President Obama has indicated that he will sign a Congressional spending bill that includes several riders targeted at D.C.
Said riders – including one that, according to House Republicans, will block D.C. from implementing a voter-approved initiative that legalized marijuana for recreational use – were not mentioned in the White House letter that supports passage of the so-called cromnibus (a portmanteau of "continuing resolution" and "omnibus.") According to White House spokesperson Josh Earnest, the President does not believe Congress should interfere with Initiative 71, but it does not appear he will back this up with action.
This is bad news for D.C. residents who oppose Congressional meddling in local affairs. With Obama – who supports D.C. statehood – and members of the House unable or unwilling to remove the riders from the spending bill, advocates will likely focus their attention on the Senate.
Statehood advocacy group D.C. Vote and the D.C. Cannabis Campaign plan to stage a protest at the House gallery this afternoon.
D.C. has been used as a bargaining chip before during Congressional budget negotiations, including in 2011 when Obama traded a rider banning the District from spending local funds on abortions to reach a deal with Speaker of the House John Boehner. He reportedly said, "John, I'll give you D.C. abortion."
News Moderator: Shandar @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: DCist: News, Food, Arts & Events
Author: Sarah Anne Hughes
Contact: Contact . DCist
Website: Obama Indicates Support For Congressional Spending Bill, Doesn't Mention D.C. Riders: DCist
Said riders – including one that, according to House Republicans, will block D.C. from implementing a voter-approved initiative that legalized marijuana for recreational use – were not mentioned in the White House letter that supports passage of the so-called cromnibus (a portmanteau of "continuing resolution" and "omnibus.") According to White House spokesperson Josh Earnest, the President does not believe Congress should interfere with Initiative 71, but it does not appear he will back this up with action.
This is bad news for D.C. residents who oppose Congressional meddling in local affairs. With Obama – who supports D.C. statehood – and members of the House unable or unwilling to remove the riders from the spending bill, advocates will likely focus their attention on the Senate.
Statehood advocacy group D.C. Vote and the D.C. Cannabis Campaign plan to stage a protest at the House gallery this afternoon.
D.C. has been used as a bargaining chip before during Congressional budget negotiations, including in 2011 when Obama traded a rider banning the District from spending local funds on abortions to reach a deal with Speaker of the House John Boehner. He reportedly said, "John, I'll give you D.C. abortion."
News Moderator: Shandar @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: DCist: News, Food, Arts & Events
Author: Sarah Anne Hughes
Contact: Contact . DCist
Website: Obama Indicates Support For Congressional Spending Bill, Doesn't Mention D.C. Riders: DCist
