It has been just days since D.C. voters went to the polls to approve a ballot measure to give D.C. leaders control of their own budget. But some comments from a Republican Congressman who sits on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform are being called insulting. Florida Congressman John Mica compared giving budget autonomy to District residents to giving budget autonomy to his children. “Well, when my kids were young teenagers, they always wanted budget autonomy too,” said Mica. Mica later said, “As long as they are minding their P’s and Q’s, so to say, I think the government can back off. But we must remain vigilant.” Mayor Vincent Gray’s office called the budget autonomy comments insulting. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton issued this statement: “It was surprising to hear that Representative Mica referred to the District and District residents as ‘kids’ and ‘young teenagers.’ John has been a friend and even when we have disagreed, he has never been patronizing or insulting. Therefore, I would like to speak with him. I hope he would explain or express regret.”
