D.C. Appropriations Bill Heads To House Floor With Restrictions On Funding

The administration is calling on Congress to remove restrictions from a D.C. appropriations bill that is headed for the House floor later this week or early next week.

The bill authorizing the District's funding was approved by the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday. It would bar the district from using local taxpayer dollars to fund abortions for poor women.

In a Statement of Administration Policy released July 13, the administration argues that the abortion restriction undermines D.C. home rule. The White House also urges Congress not to ban federal funding for needle exchange in the district, since funding for such programs is allowed in other cities.

"The is contrary to current practice and the Administration's policy to allow funds to be used in locations where local authorities deem needle exchange programs to be effective and appropriate," the statement notes.

The President stopped short of threatening a veto based on the D.C. provisions, however, despite listing other provisions in the appropriations bill that would draw his rejection.

D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) is working to make sure that the rider is removed, according to the Associated Press.