The RFK Stadium bill “is included” in the Senate's Continuing Budget Resolution which would "allow it to become law when larger spending bill is passed, a formality," according to a source cited by Eric Flack of D.C.-based WUSA-CBS. D.C.'s “all out blitz to bring the Washington Commanders back to DC now nearing reality” ( X, 12/12 ). Flack in a separate piece notes the bill "has to be attached to a government spending bill to receive final approval." It gives D.C. "long-term control of the RFK site" and allows Mayor Muriel Bowser to “formally negotiate a stadium deal to bring the Commanders back to D.C.” Sources said that “despite widespread bipartisan support,” Maryland leaders "had placed a last-minute block on the RFK bill moving forward over a number of issues -- including: the future of the Northwest Stadium site should the Commanders leave." Flack notes that as of Thursday afternoon, it “appears the issues had been resolved.” A source said that during a Dec. 2 meeting on Capitol Hill with Commanders ownership, Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen said that they "planned to block the RFK bill” until Maryland Gov. Wes Moore was "satisfied with plans for the future use of the current stadium site in Landover and received written assurances of what the site would become should the Commanders leave.” Moore also “wanted commitments from the Commanders the organization would pay to tear down Northwest Stadium when the new stadium opens.” Flack notes that it is "currently projected to be no earlier than 2030" ( WUSA9.com, 12/12 ).
HIGH STAKES : In D.C., Fortier, Cox & Brice-Saddler note "anxiety over the RFK bill has risen among D.C. leaders and the Commanders franchise in recent weeks” as the window closes to get the bill passed before Congress adjourns for the year on Dec. 20. The Commanders "could not consider D.C. a viable option without legislation allowing the land to be redeveloped." Any later offer to the team involving taxpayer money “also would require passage through a divided D.C. Council, among other obstacles.” Cardin and Van Hollen have “balked at the idea of allowing D.C. to gain what they consider an unfair advantage in luring the Commanders away from Landover by getting the land free” ( WASHINGTON POST, 12/12 ).
