The Politics Hour: U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

The country is facing the threat of a government shutdown just as the holidays are approaching. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) talked with Kojo and Tom about what it would mean for federal workers in Virginia and the region.

“I did get a bill passed in 2019 that guarantees everyone back pay in the event of any shutdown, now or in the future,” Kaine said. “So, back pay is forthcoming. But that’s not the same as getting your paycheck on payday.”

He did note back pay does not apply to federal contractors… some of whom can be laid off in the event of a shutdown. Plus, Sen. Kaine explained why he pushed for a plan to protect civil servants.

A D.C. Council committee recommended expelling Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White this week, who is also facing federal bribery charges. The unanimous vote comes after an independent investigation found “substantial evidence” White violated ethics rules by accepting tens of thousands of dollars in order to influence the granting of contracts. The committee’s chair, Kenyan McDuffie, joined the show to give his thoughts.

Plus, Congress appears to have sidelined a provision giving D.C. greater control over the RFK Stadium site. We asked Councilmember McDuffie what’s next for the District’s continued pursuit of the land and convincing the Washington Commanders to return to the city.

And with inauguration now a month away city leaders, including Councilmember McDuffie, are concerned about what a second Trump presidency will mean for the District.

Because D.C. is not a state, President Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress can interfere with the city’s autonomy in a number of ways, from blocking local legislation to ending District self-rule. Last year, Congress struck down a major overhaul of the city’s criminal code.

Conuncilmember McDuffie said there have been 88 separate attacks on D-C autonomy just in the last two years..

“Any interference in District of Columbia affairs is, frankly, unnecessary,” he said. “And would just serve to disenfranchise the more seven hundred thousand residents who live here and actually call the District of Columbia home.”

It’s the last Politics Hour of the year. We were joined by a panel of reporters, including WAMU’s Margaret Barthel, Maryland Matters’ Will Ford, and Washington City Paper’s Alex Koma, to talk about the year’s top stories and what to expect in 2025.

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