House Republicans eye restrictions on D.C. traffic safety, abortion and more

The proposed federal spending bill comes as President Donald Trump again publicly muses about taking over the city.

July 22, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.


By Olivia George, Meagan Flynn and Jenny Gathright

House Republicans on Monday advanced a hulking effort to overwrite a swath of D.C. laws and restrict local spending, touching facets of city life from health care to public safety in a move that frustrated local leaders who have few options to stave off federal intervention.

The federal spending bill would ban the city from enforcing traffic laws with automated cameras, cutting off a key source of revenue as D.C. is grappling with the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to the federal workforce and continues to struggle with traffic deaths and serious injuries. It would also prevent the city from funding its major police accountability legislation and prohibit enforcement of a local law protecting employees from discrimination based on their reproductive choices.

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By Olivia George
Olivia George covers the impact of the Trump administration and the larger federal government on the D.C. area. Send her secure tips on Signal @OCGeorge.59.follow on XOliviaCGeorge

By Meagan Flynn
Meagan Flynn covers D.C. government and politics on The Post's Metro team.follow on X@Meagan_Flynn

By Jenny Gathright
Jenny Gathright covers the D.C. government and city politics on The Post's Metro desk. Before coming to The Post in 2024, she reported on the District for WAMU 88.5 and DCist.com, mostly about criminal justice and public safety.