Mayor Karen Bass and a delegation of six City Council members recently concluded a series of meetings in Washington D.C., advocating for additional resources for their city. Bass expressed confidence in their progress, stating, “I think we definitely made an impact on several decision-makers.”
The delegation, which included Council President Paul Krekorian and council members Bob Blumenfield, Eunisses Hernandez, Heather Hutt, Traci Park, and Hugo Soto-Martinez, met with officials from the White House and members of California’s congressional delegation during their visit. They are expected to return to Los Angeles on Thursday.
In an interview with City News Service, Bass reflected on the trip, saying, “It was an excellent trip. I believe it was crucial for us to be here to present the case of L.A.” She added, “I think we definitely made an impact on several decision-makers.”
“We have pending grants that we discussed,” Bass continued. “We made the case for why we require these resources, reminding everyone about the upcoming World Cup in 2026, the Olympics in 2028, and the need to adequately prepare our city by acquiring these resources as soon as possible.”
Bass highlighted that the success of the meetings will depend on the follow-up actions. She hopes that new initiatives will be implemented, and existing initiatives will be promoted or enhanced as a result of their discussions.
The meetings will focus on key areas such as addressing homelessness, improving public safety, providing resources for veterans, enhancing transportation, and increasing access to federal funding.
Bass, who chairs the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ National Task Force on Homelessness, emphasized the urgency of addressing the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. With approximately 46,000 unhoused individuals in the city and another 70,000 in the county, Bass stressed the need for decision-makers to fully comprehend the magnitude of the issue. She stated, “You cannot approach Los Angeles as just another city struggling with homelessness. Our scale is unparalleled.”
On Monday, the delegation met with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to discuss expediting Federal Emergency Management Assistance reimbursements and seeking assistance with migrant buses from Texas.
Bass noted prior to the meeting that Homeland Security owed Los Angeles a significant amount of money in FEMA grants. She stated, “We are here to appeal for that money. Additionally, we are experiencing increasing numbers of busloads of migrants entering the city, and federal assistance is available for this situation. However, Los Angeles has not received that funding.”
Councilwoman Hernandez expressed the significance of the trip to her and her constituents. She said, “Our delegation may have different perspectives, but we are all united in advocating for a better Los Angeles and obtaining more resources. It also means that the communities I represent have a seat at the table during these conversations when we are advocating for increased infrastructure.”
Hernandez mentioned that the delegation will focus on transportation enhancements and engage with the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. They are also scheduled to meet with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge to discuss rental assistance requirements, including expanding eligibility for housing vouchers to veterans and increasing funding for affordable housing development.
Other engagements with White House officials include discussions with Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su, Tom Perez and Neera Tanden, the White House directors of intergovernmental affairs and domestic policy council, respectively, Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, Gregory Jackson and Robert Wilcox, special assistants to the president and deputy directors for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Homeland Security Adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, and Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Christopher Coes.
Council member Park mentioned her expectation to address the issue of new housing on the V.A. West Los Angeles Campus during her meeting with Secretary McDonough. This matter holds significance in her 11th District, which encompasses neighborhoods in West L.A. She added, “Adjusting V.A. benefits could have a substantial impact on thousands of individuals in need of assistance.”
Park also shared her surreal experiences during the trip, including conversing with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg about the remarkable work being done at the Port of L.A. and LAX, as well as exploring opportunities for collaboration during the upcoming Olympic Games.
As a result of the trip, the City Council has canceled its scheduled meetings for Tuesday and Wednesday. Regular meetings will resume on Friday, according to Council President Krekorian’s office.
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