Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has a comprehensive agenda that includes bridging infrastructure gaps, addressing housing shortages, and preparing for significant events like the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. To achieve these goals, the city greatly relies on federal funding, which has recently come under threat due to a new spending bill.
On Thursday, Harrell condemned the spending bill passed by Congress and sent to President Donald Trump, arguing that it undermines the city’s ability to support its most vulnerable populations.
“President Trump’s ‘signature’ bill is a hallmark of his approach to governing,” Harrell stated, criticizing the bill for cutting essential safety nets and prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy. “It’s an action plan to gut needed supports for the country’s most vulnerable residents and families, provide massive tax breaks to the wealthiest among us, and worry about the devastating consequences later.”
This spending bill, particularly alarming for Seattle, explicitly denies funding for supportive housing and addiction recovery programs essential for sanctuary cities like Seattle. This trend poses challenges to the city’s capability to fulfill its goals effectively.
In an interview with KUOW’s economics podcast, Booming, Harrell and Deputy Mayor Greg Wong discussed how federal funding is integral to the city’s operations. Wong described managing federal funds as akin to crafting a perfect cake, suggesting that each component is vital for the creation of a livable and thriving city.
“Let’s say you’re trying to make the perfect cake. That perfect cake is a city that is livable and thriving for everyone,” Wong explained, emphasizing that federal funding is critical for various city services, from housing and public safety to community infrastructure.
Wong further elaborated on the extensive involvement of federal money in everyday life, stating, “Really almost every aspect of people’s lives is touched by the federal government, right? When we talk about these really basic things, whether it’s a sidewalk, whether it’s elevator access to our monorail, trees in our city, recreation. Certainly disaster preparedness and response.”
Currently, the city’s access to a $12 million USDA grant aimed at enhancing the tree canopy in Seattle is also at risk due to reduced federal support. Wong noted that threats to federal funding directly impede the city’s capacity to maintain and improve various services.
“Our ability to do that work to the same extent is severely hampered when the federal funding is threatened. We’re really working on many levels, whether it’s litigation or through our federal delegation, to make sure the federal government continues to be a strong partner in that,” Wong stated.
Harrell highlighted other essential projects reliant on federal grants, such as tree restoration initiatives and the development of heat pumps. He underscored Seattle’s commitment to a green economy, declaring, “We are a leader…in the green economy and we pride ourselves on that. And so once again, while we are aggressively looking for federal assistance to build an economy around this, we are at odds with the federal government that denies climate change.”
The administration also relies on federal support for counter-terrorism measures essential for hosting large-scale events like the World Cup. According to Harrell, the city receives about $5 million for counter-terrorism efforts, which is crucial for ensuring public safety during significant events.
“You look at some of the money we get from the federal government for counter-terrorism, that’s about $5 million,” Harrell confirmed. He added that these funds extend beyond physical assets; they also enhance collaboration with federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the FBI.
“When you are in essence fighting with the federal government, not just for the funds but for the collaboration…you have exposure,” Harrell stressed, expressing concerns about the strained relationship between the city and the federal government under the Trump administration.
He further indicated that the city desires full cooperation with the federal government, stating, “We want full cooperation with the government in the sense of helping us protect people, not raid them.”
The ongoing housing crisis in Seattle is another critical issue that hinges on federal funding. Harrell articulated that federal cuts would have direct and adverse effects on the city’s housing initiatives.
“Now, we as a city will do everything possible. We spent over $1 billion since I’ve been in office on affordable housing, but it’s just not enough in terms of we need the partnerships. These dollars are real dollars that save lives here in Seattle, and we have to recognize that,” he said.
Wong echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of federal grants in various services that help maintain affordability for low-income and moderate-income residents. He noted that substantial federal support is vital for food assistance, mental health services, and other essential programs that help citizens lead healthy lives.
“There are many other services that go into making life affordable, particularly for our low-income, moderate-income residents,” Wong observed.
With these challenges laid out, Seattle’s municipal leaders are determined to advocate vigorously for federal funding, ensuring that the city can continue to provide essential services and infrastructure improvements necessary for its residents.
image source from：kuow
