The same California congressman who stepped on the toes of local politicians when he wanted to submit legislation requiring criminal background checks for city employees is now on board with District budget autonomy.
As long as it includes an abortion ban, anyway.
Republican Darrell Issa has submitted a bill that would give the District more freedom to spend its own funds without waiting for Congressional approval. The bill would also shift the city’s fiscal year, which now begins Sept. 1 to begin on July 1 as Congress operates.
However no city money can be used to help fund abortions. According to a draft copy of the bill obtained by The Washington Examiner:
D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown, the first council member to issue a media statement on the bill, says nothing about the stipulation, which has prickled policitians in the past.
“Even though Rep. Issa and I do not always agree on everything, I appreciate that he clearly supports giving the District local budget autonomy,” Brown said. “I plan to meet with Mayor [Vincent] Gray and [D.C.] Rep. [Eleanor Holmes] Norton on Rep. Issa’s proposed legislation and remain committed to this issue.”
