Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told Congress she won’t show up to explain where a $1 billion federal homelessness fund went. Her office confirmed she cannot attend the September 15 hearing because she has a “scheduling conflict.” The House subcommittee wants to question her about the money flowing through the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, known as LAHSA. Her team insists she simply can’t make that specific date, but the panel is looking for answers on how that cash is actually spent.
The Refusal to Appear
On September 4, Bass’s lawyer David Michaelson sent a letter rejecting the invitation outright. He told the committee the mayor “is not available on that date.” The hearing aims to probe alleged waste, fraud, and abuse at LAHSA. RedState reported that the city claims it is cooperating with the records request. Yet the mayor herself will not stand before the lawmakers to explain the spending. A letter from her attorneys argues she lacks direct control over the agency, pointing out that LAHSA maintains an independent executive leadership team and staff accountable for daily operations, budget, and administration.
The Mayor does not control LAHSA’s operation, budget, or administration, according to their statement. This defense tries to separate her from the daily management of the funds, even though she appointed half the board.
Lawmakers Push Back
Republican leaders on the subcommittee are not accepting this explanation at all. The group is led by Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee. He summoned Bass to answer questions about how nonprofits receive federal cash. On September 2, Burchett wrote a letter voicing worry that funds from taxpayers might have been diverted improperly.
A spokesperson for the House oversight committee hit back hard at the mayor’s decision. The committee wants to know why the funds are not stopping the crisis. Bass’s office says they are reviewing the requested documents. Michaelson noted the process may “take some time” because records date back to January 2020.
Who Runs the Agency?
The structure of LAHSA puts Bass in a unique position of influence. Together with her four appointees, she occupies five of the ten available seats on the commission. The remaining five seats are filled by appointees from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. This means the mayor has a direct hand in choosing half the leaders. However, the letter from her team insists she does not run the budget.
The letter was dispatched to the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency. It shoots down efforts to grill her in Washington. Bass’s team claims the agency handles its own administration. Yet the subcommittee still expects answers on the billion dollars in funding. The hearing remains scheduled for September 15 without the mayor in attendance.
