RFK stadium deal barred from government funding bill but gets second chance in Senate – Washington Examiner
The article discusses the recent developments regarding the RFK Stadium deal in Washington D.C., which has faced hurdles in securing government funding. Although a continuing resolution was passed by the House to prevent a government shutdown, a critical provision granting D.C. control over the RFK Stadium land was removed by Speaker Mike Johnson in a bid for bipartisan compromise. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton expressed disappointment but remains optimistic about D.C. eventually gaining control of the site for redevelopment.The Senate later passed a separate resolution to transfer the land to D.C., pending President Joe Biden’s approval. Mayor Muriel Bowser envisions transforming the area into a sports and recreation complex, calling the resolution a meaningful win for the city. Collaborative efforts are ongoing among local officials and stakeholders, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, to find productive uses for the abandoned land.
RFK stadium deal barred from government funding bill but gets second chance in Senate
The House managed to pass a continuing resolution Friday night to avert a government shutdown, but Speaker Mike Johnson took out a provision that would’ve given Washington D.C. control of RFK Stadium’s land.
The deal was included in a previous CR, but lawmakers cut it in their pursuit to compromise.
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Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) expressed her disappointment at the move in a statement released Friday.
“While I am disappointed that the House-passed version of the CR did not contain the bill, which I’ve worked on since 2017, I am hopeful that D.C. will eventually get control of the land and transform it from crumbling blight to a productive and bustling complex that will generate significant revenue for the nation’s capital,” Norton said.
The Senate later passed a separate resolution to transfer the land from the federal government to D.C. President Joe Biden will need to sign the resolution into law.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed to make the stadium’s land into a sports and recreation complex with a market hall, pedestrian bridges, and a Robert F. Kennedy memorial.
Bowser called the resolution “a win for D.C., for our region and for America.” “Everybody loves a good comeback story — and that’s D.C.’s story,” she said.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY) worked with Holmes-Norton, Bowser, the Washington Commanders ownership, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell toward finding a use for the abandoned land.
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“If Congress failed to act today, this decaying land in Washington would continue to cost taxpayers a fortune to maintain,” he said. “Revitalizing this RFK Memorial Stadium site has been a top economic priority for the city, and I am proud to have partnered with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to get this bill across the finish line and to the president’s desk. This bipartisan success is a testament to the House Oversight Committee’s unwavering effort to protect taxpayers and our full commitment to ensuring a capital that is prosperous for residents and visitors for generations to come.”
Commanders controlling owner Josh Harris also praised the move as an opportunity for the franchise to be able to have the freedom to choose its next home. The NFL team is currently based in Maryland.
“We are extremely grateful that our elected officials have come together on a bipartisan basis to give Washington, D.C., the opportunity to decide on the future of the RFK Stadium site,” Harris said. “This bill will create an equal playing field so that all potential future locations for the home of the Washington Commanders can be fairly considered and give our franchise the opportunity to provide the best experience for all of our fans.”
When the deal was proposed in the original stopgap government funding bill, Elon Musk took to X to decry its inclusion, amplifying incorrect information that the deal would equate to a $3 billion subsidy to D.C.
“This should not be funded by your tax dollars!” Musk posted.
In reality, the deal cost taxpayers nothing and was simply the transfer of control over the land. Still, some Republicans wavered on their support following the uproar.
The new Senate resolution gives the Commanders their first shot to return to D.C. since they came to Maryland in 1997.
Funds for Baltimore’s Key Bridge was included in the stopgap legislation. After the bridge collapsed in March, Biden promised that the federal government would take care of 100% of the costs of rebuilding it. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) previously pushed back on securing the total funding so early into the repair, saying, “the bottom line is all the money is not necessary.” Right now the repair is estimated to cost between $1.7-1.9 billion.
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