Budget “riders” are when legislators try to make policy changes through a budget process. This is historically one of the biggest ways Congress has exerted its interference and control over DC. This year, it’s worse than normal.

The subcommittee of the U.S. House that works on budget issues for DC has introduced its budget bill for next year. The bill includes an unprecedented number of attacks on DC laws and programs. These provisions have nothing to do with federal spending, but would restrict DC’s ability to spend our own local money on health care, safety programs, and more.

On August 5, join Free DC’s Congress Working Group for a participatory work session to outline the history, impact, and risks of these riders. This session will include small group breakouts that will focus on guns and policing; education; abortion and reproductive health; climate; street safety; elections; cannabis; and gender affirming care. Together we will develop a comprehensive overview of these riders and how they would affect our communities.