Senate passes bill to protect D.C.'s budget

The Senate has approved a bill to prevent $1 billion in budget cuts for the District of Columbia. The legislation passed unanimously and will now go to the House for consideration when lawmakers return from recess in late March. The bill addresses a funding issue that arose from a recent House package, which would have frozen D.C.'s budget at 2024 levels. This would have significantly impacted services like police and education, prompting protests from local leaders and residents. Senators emphasized that the bill allows D.C. to use its own tax revenues without federal interference. The move comes amid concerns over potential increased federal control over the district's governance.