Faced with Latest Threat of a Federal Government Shutdown, Norton’s Provision Ensures D.C. Government Will Stay Open

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As budget negotiations continue and the Republican-controlled House and Senate head toward possibly shutting down the federal government, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today assured District of Columbia residents that a critical provision she got included in the fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill will keep the D.C. government open if the federal government shuts down on Saturday, when the fiscal year 2018 continuing resolution expires. The Norton provision allows D.C. to spend under its local fiscal year 2018 budget during a federal government shutdown in fiscal year 2018, subject to the terms and conditions of the fiscal year 2017 omnibus. Norton has gotten the D.C. shutdown exemption included in each spending bill since the last federal government shutdown, in 2013.

"Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress still have not figured out how to govern and face the challenges our nation faces without running up against deadlines for funding the government and then doing short-term continuing resolutions to keep the government running," Norton said. "D.C. residents can take some solace in that at least their local government will stay open if the federal government shuts down this weekend. D.C. has a balanced budget and a surplus and should not be caught up in congressional dysfunction."