WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has adjourned for a two-week recess, leaving a $1.1 billion hole in the Washington, D.C. budget that officials are scrambling to fill. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the D.C. Council have warned of possible layoffs and service cuts for the city’s 700,000 residents. Bowser had called on House Republicans to pass the budget-saving measure before the recess, but they failed to do so.
The crisis dates back to March when a federal government funding bill passed by the House would force the district to cut $1.1 billion from its budget. The Senate later approved a separate bill to restore the funding, but the House did not bring it to the floor for discussion. Bowser has warned that the budget cuts could result in teacher and police officer layoffs and a scaling back of city services.
The House is set to return from recess on April 28, and the future remains uncertain for Washington, D.C. Officials have expressed concerns about the impact on public safety if drastic budget cuts are made. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson described the situation as a “vice that’s closing,” indicating that action will need to be taken at some point.
Despite efforts to address the budget crisis, the House’s failure to act has left the city in a state of uncertainty. Mayor Bowser and other officials are now faced with the challenge of finding solutions to avoid layoffs and service cuts that could negatively impact the community.
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