Question re: Washington DC, the Congressional Jurisdiction and the President

[wndycty]

I have a friend, a Black Republican, who is calling out Obama over how the budget deal impacts Washington DC. My questions are:

How specific was the bill as it relates to Washington DC?

What jurisdiction does Congress have over DC?

Within its jurisdiction can Congress do anything it wants in DC without the President's approval?

[Hosnon]

1. Not sure about the 1st question, but regarding the other two:

Article 1, Section 8: "The Congress shall have Power ... To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States."

Congress has exclusive jurisdiction over D.C.

[wndycty]

2. Thanks so as we search for answer to #1 the question is. . .

. . .if the budget deal does not specifically mention how money appropriated for DC has to be spent is what is happening there Obama's fault?

It would seem that POTUS cannot tell Congress how to spend money in DC and even if there was a ton of money going to DC the Republicans can and would decide how to spend it. Am I right?

[TheWraith]

3. Congress has almost total control over DC.

While DC does have home rule, Congress also has the power to revoke that if they choose. The most recent major intrusion was in the mid-90s, when Congress took over control of the city's finances. It was restored in 2001.

The President does have veto power over bills affecting DC, although for obvious reasons that's not very useful when they're attached to a budget.

[wndycty]

4. OK you both clarified and confused me. . .

. . .when it comes to the funding of abortion in DC, needle exchange and other decisions that the Mayor or protesting does Obama have any veto authority?

[damntexdem]

5. Veto authority over any bill from Congress, including any House actions re DC.

But as noted above, in a budget deal, it's easy for the prez to throw DC under the bus.

[wndycty]

6. Is it throwing it under the bus if Boehner says "you can hold or for abortions. . .

. . .but if you do their garbage won't get picked up."

[TheWraith]

7. He could veto, but only if he's willing to veto the budget bill they're attached to.

It's the same problem as any other amendment: without a line item veto, you have to toss the entire thing, and it's usually not worth it.