Norton Takes Additional Steps to Keep D.C. Government Open

February 25, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today that she does not expect a shutdown of the federal government, which would take the District's government down with it. However, she said, "We cannot take any chances on what a D.C. government shutdown could do to our city in this fragile economy." She therefore will offer a bill that authorizes the District to spend its local taxpayer-raised funds as an amendment to the must-pass short-term surface transportation reauthorization bill, which must be signed into law by March 4. Because the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, which Norton voted for in committee, will be considered by the Rules committee early next week, Norton will file her bill as an amendment to this bill. This will give Norton two possibilities to pass her bill either as a stand-alone bill or as an amendment to the surface transportation bill. Meanwhile the Congresswoman continues to work closely with Mayor Gray and D.C. Attorney General Irvin Nathan, as well as with the Obama Administration, and House and Senate leaders to keep the District of Columbia open and running if the federal government shuts down on March 4.