The United States House of Representatives passed a federal stopgap spending bill earlier this week that could force D.C. to cut $1.1 billion in spending. It would also give the Trump administration even more power to cut spending and shrink the federal workforce. The legislation is being weighed by the U.S. Senate.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine joined Kojo and Tom to explain why he planned to vote 'no' on the Republican-backed spending bill, even if it means a government shutdown.

The continuing resolution passed by the House would mean huge cuts to D.C.'s schools, public safety, and social services. It has sent D.C. leaders to Capitol Hill this week in an attempt to convince members of Congress to find another way to fund the government without slashing D.C.'s budget. WAMU's new D.C. politics reporter Alex Koma and D.C. At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson got behind the mic to explain how we got here, what comes next, and what a billion dollars in cuts would mean for District residents.

Councilmember Henderson described how devastating it would be for the city to be prevented from spending its own budget.

"It would just sit while we are cutting police, fire teachers, summer camp, summer youth employment, trash pickup, recreation centers, libraries, senior wellness centers. It's a lot," she said.

Later on Friday, after the show, a standalone bill was introduced returning control of the budget back to the city.

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