The Washington D.C. Government is the governing body of the capital of the United States. It operates under a unique structure, as D.C. is not a state but a federal district. The government consists of an elected mayor and a 13-member council, responsible for local laws, budgets, and services. The U.S. Congress has authority over D.C. laws, meaning that federal legislation can override local decisions. This relationship often leads to debates about home rule and the rights of D.C. residents, who do not have voting representation in Congress despite paying federal taxes.