Lieberman, National Poll Bolster Prospects for Budget Autonomy This Year

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today that D.C. Emancipation Day has brought encouraging new developments for budget autonomy for the District. She cited the announcement that Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), the chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (which has jurisdiction over the District), is at work on a bill to give the District budget autonomy, and a new national poll showing overwhelming, bipartisan support for budget autonomy. "The unprecedented momentum for achieving budget autonomy this year continues to grow," Norton said. "Senator Joe Lieberman has long been D.C.'s greatest champion in the Senate. We are grateful that he continues his efforts to ensure equal rights for D.C. residents during his final year in Congress." The new poll, conducted by Purple Insights, reveals that more than 7 in 10 people across the country support granting the District budget autonomy, with more than 70% of Democrats and Republicans each supporting it, across all geographic and demographic lines. "The national poll should make it clear that D.C. residents are not alone in demanding budget autonomy, but have the support of their fellow American citizens," Norton said.

Late last year, Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (which has jurisdiction over D.C.), announced his support for D.C. budget autonomy. Since then, two more Republican leaders, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA) and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, have indicated their support, and President Obama's fiscal year 2013 budget called on Congress to pass a budget autonomy bill. Norton will join Mayor Vincent Gray tomorrow, April, 17, 2012, at 9:00 a.m.at the United Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, NE, to remind citizen advocates participating in DC Vote's Budget Advocacy Day of the historic opportunity D.C. has on budget autonomy.