Karen Bass Criticized for Skipping Congressional Hearing on Homelessness Funding

Members of Congress have sharply criticized Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for her absence at a congressional hearing examining the use of $1 billion in federal funds allocated for homelessness initiatives. Bass cited a prior commitment to a groundbreaking event in Pacific Palisades as the reason for her inability to attend the hearing, drawing accusations of "contempt" and "shameful" conduct from Republican lawmakers.

The hearing, convened by the House Subcommittee on Oversight, sought to address alleged "waste, fraud, and abuse" within the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), an agency Bass served on the board of until recently. Subcommittee Chairman Tim Burchett stated that Bass had been summoned to Washington to answer questions about the agency's practices and that she had not provided all requested documents. The hearing proceeded without her testimony.

During the hearing, Burchett highlighted the scale of federal spending on homelessness in Los Angeles, noting that the city has received approximately $2 billion since 2005. Despite this investment, he pointed to an increase in both overall and unsheltered homelessness in the city. The hearing also featured testimony from journalist Jonathan Choe, who presented a harm-reduction kit distributed on Skid Row, which included items such as needles, fentanyl test strips, and pipes.

Representatives Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace echoed Burchett's criticisms. Boebert described Bass's absence as demonstrating "contempt," while Mace called it "shameful," drawing a parallel to Bass's previous decision to travel internationally during last year's wildfires while her constituents were affected.

In response to the criticism, Mayor Bass's office issued a statement characterizing the hearing as "the latest attack on Los Angeles by the Trump Administration and his allies in Congress." The statement asserted that the administration had previously attempted to withhold funding from Los Angeles and, having lost in court, was now staging a "show." Bass also clarified her role with LAHSA, stating, "I don't run LAHSA. It's a joint city-county agency, and I was the first mayor in history to sit on its board."

LAHSA also announced during the proceedings that it was withdrawing its request for the federal funding that was the subject of the hearing. The subcommittee concluded its session, with members having the opportunity to submit further questions for the record.