John Matthews
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — It looks like Congress will avert a government shutdown after top lawmakers reached a deal Tuesday on a 1.1 trillion dollar spending bill that will keep the government running through next September. But don't light up a joint to celebrate!
The 1,600 page bill includes dozens of policy rules that essentially are quid pro quos – riders that take effect in exchange for lawmakers' approval of the spending package. One of those riders inserted by GOP House members is a measure that prohibits the use of federal or local funds to implement the city's referendum that overwhelmingly approved the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Washington, D.C.
"I would be at a loss to explain why Democrats would agree to block D.C. marijuana legalization on their watch – we control the White House and the Senate and House Democratic votes may be needed to pass the omnibus," said DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton in a prepared statement Tuesday. "Republicans will control Congress in less than a month. I don’t know why Democrats would give them a head start in interfering with the District’s local laws, " she added.
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told reporters he does oppose Congressional intervention, but conceded there is little that can be done.
The rider would maintain the District's existing decriminalization and medical marijuana policies.
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