Hundreds of DC children and their parents filled the Senate offices Thursday morning in an effort to sway politicians from voting ‘yes’ on a funding bill that would cut $1.1 billion dollars from the District’s budget, forcing what city officials say could be a cut of about $400 million to public schools in the nation’s capital.
The funds are earmarked for the FY2025 budget, which DC is now 6 months into spending. As with most state budgets, the money is largely local funds and cuts to spending would not be federal savings. The amendment would make it illegal for DC to spend funds in excess of FY2024 levels, leaving the allocated $1.1 billion difference to languish.
District students had schools off for a parent-teacher conference day. They ed their parents in the halls to protest the funds, waving signs colored in crayon bearing slogans like “DC funds belong in DC schools” and “don’t break what we love”. One sign, “Accept the Amendment,” referenced an amendment filed by Senator Anglea Alsobrooks (D-MD) that would allow DC to continue to spend within their current budget.
At one point, there were so many people in the foyer of the Hart Building that Capitol Police asked them to leave, citing fire safety concerns.
Many Capitol Hill families have already seen the impact of the istration. They and their neighbors have lost their jobs or federal contracts. Others fear for the future of the city and the neighborhood.
Hill Resident Emily Jackson came with her two sons, who are DC Public School students aged 5 and 7. She said it was important to show them how things work in their city and how to advocate around injustices.
She’s been a resident here since 2011 and says she’s seen multiple istrations changes, watching the feel of the city changes in kind. “Since the first day of Trump’s second term the city felt scarier,” Jackson said.
“From the release of the January 6 inmates to the federal firing of my dear friends and neighbors and now basically usurping my tax dollars reserved for the safety and future of my family’s protection and education, it’s too much,” she added. “It’s harmful and an abuse of power. Standing by and watching it happen was no longer an option.”
Many senators were unavailable, the kids were told. Families attempting to speak with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) piled in his office, trying to pressure somone to speak with them. Other senators were met by the kids in the hall and the kids a hearing. Staff from Senator Elizabeth Warren’s (D-MA) gave one group a conference room to use as a base.
“I don’t think it’s fair that you can just take away all billions of money and dollars that are supposed to go to the hands that have fought and helped build our nation, such as firefighters and police,” 9-year-old Maya Chen Cardona told the staff in Senator Mark Kelly’s (D-AZ) office. “Also, it will take a large impact. People will be fired.”
Her seven-year-old sister, Elena, added, “Teachers shouldn’t be fired, because they’re trying to help kids learn. Not get worse.”
The staffer promised to the message along.
The girls’ mother, Tiffany Chen Cardona, says she re as a child, she would hear the news, “but it never felt like it was our business.”
“Our kids today don’t have that choice,” said Chen Cardona. “They feel they must speak up for themselves, and learn how to practice civic engagement, perhaps at the cost of their childhood innocence.”
Cardona said she is proud of them and our community. She has a message for Congress.
“I urge all of our elected leaders who have a moral com to why they entered public service in the first place,” she said.
The Senate must a funding bill by 12:01 a.m. Saturday or the federal government will run out of funding. It remains to be seen if an amendment can be filed to save the District’s spending or if Democrats are willing take a stand against the Republican-authored funding bill.
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) said there are two efforts to combat the cuts to District spending. The Senate could move an amendment, like the one filed by Senator Alsobrooks, to include an exception to FY2024 spending for the District. Or, they could get a 30-day continuing resolution on funding that would include language allowing DC to spend according to its current budget.
Allen encouraged residents to continue calling and visiting Senators, not only Democrats but moderate Republican Senators. “This is not a partisan issue,” Allen said in a video posted to social media. “This is about fairness. This is about local tax dollars.”
If the bill es with limits on District spending in place, Allen said, “every city service that you depend on will be impacted by this,” including schools but also water, police, fire and emergency services.
The Senate Rules Committee meets at 10 a.m. Friday, March 14 in the Hart Building (120 Constituion Ave. NE). They could consider or recommend changes to the legislation.
