Mayor Vincent Gray 
Mayor Vincent Gray expressed appreciation over budget automony./Courtesy Photohas sent a letter to Representatives Louise Slaughter of New York and Diana DeGette of Colorado, publicly thanking them for supporting what they called the "District of Columbia's right to self-government as well as the health and reproductive rights of low-income women" in D.C.
The Congresswomen documented their support in a letter they sent to Democratic members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in advance of committee consideration of the D.C. appropriations bill this week.
"I appreciate the Congresswomen's gesture as we need and welcome all allies in our fight for full democratic self-government in the wake of attempts to turn back the clock and attach offensive riders on our local funds," Mayor Gray said. "I urge all members of Congress to refrain from restricting our ability to provide services and programs to residents, including reproductive services and lifesaving needle exchange."
The mayor was pleased to learn that the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee with D.C. oversight did not attach any anti-home rule riders in its markup this week.
