D.C. voters approve budget autonomy

District of Columbia voters have approved a charter amendment that now allows the city to spend tax dollars without congressional consent.

Many have been pushing for budget autonomy in order to allow the city government to function in case of a federal shutdown. Voters approved the bill on Tuesday with 83 percent of the vote.

Unless Congress passes a disapproval bill that is signed by the president, the charter will become law. Not all leaders are convinced of the charter’s effectiveness however, and some believe the charter cannot be legal since it takes power away from Congress.