Redskins working to get language for new stadium into year-end spending bill: report

The owner of the Washington Redskins is reportedly working with D.C. officials to have language that would help pave the way for a new football stadium included in the year-end congressional spending bill.

The Washington Post reports that Redskins owner Dan Snyder is coordinating with district officials, the Trump administration and House Republicans to insert a stadium provision that clears the land needed for a new stadium.

A new, 60,000-seat stadium was proposed by Snyder three years ago for the parcel of land that used to hold the old RFK stadium, where the D.C. United soccer team previously played.

{mosads}Snyder has been working for years to secure the land currently owned by the city. Under the provision, the land would still be owned by D.C., but it would help clear the way for Snyder’s new stadium.

According to unnamed officials who spoke with the Post, the language attempting to be included in the spending bill would extend the existing lease for the land it is on and make the site open to commercial development.

The current lease states that it can only be used for “stadium purposes” or “recreational facilities, open space, or public outdoor recreation opportunities.”

According to sources who spoke with the Post, Snyder is worried that when Democrats take control of the House next year his chances of getting a stadium on public land could diminish.

The 190-acre site is on federally owned land along the Anacostia River.

A new spending bill is still up in the air after lawmakers passed a two-week stopgap that will keep the federal government open until just before Christmas as lawmakers work on a long-term solution.