Politics

Wu’s prep for testifying to Congress cost $650,000, mayor’s office says

The firm charged a rate of $950 per hour, and the city “expects to pay” up to $650,000 for work related to the hearing, a spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office said.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu responds to questions during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

By Molly Farrar

March 6, 2025

1 minute to read

After Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was widely lauded for her defiant performance testifying in front of Congress Wednesday, she “expects to pay” up to $650,000 to the law firm that helped her prepare.

Wu was one of four Democratic mayors called to testify to the GOP-led House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on so-called sanctuary policies in Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Denver.

A spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office said prep sessions included the mayor’s staff, the law department, Boston police, and her cabinet leaders. The City of Boston also retained Cahill Gordon & Reindel, an external law firm, her office said.

The firm charged a rate of $950 per hour, and the city “expects to pay” up to $650,000 for work related to the hearing, the Committee’s investigation into Boston’s immigration policies, and the preparation of documents requested by the Committee.

When contacted, the law firm confirmed the bill and said it “is pleased to represent Mayor Michelle Wu and the city of Boston in this congressional investigation,” according to a spokesperson.

During the six-hour committee hearing, representatives mostly went after the other mayors, including New York Mayor Eric Adams. Wu held fast against scathing questioning from Republican lawmakers, while landing a few jabs of her own.

When answering a question from Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, Wu turned the blame back to Congress, saying, “respectfully, Congressman, you could pass bipartisan legislation, and that would be comprehensive immigration law.”

The mayor revived her long-dormant X account to post some highlights, including her sound bite back at Gosar.

“The false narrative is that immigrants in general are criminals or immigrants in general cause all sorts of danger and harm. That is actually what is undermining safety in our communities,” Wu continued. “If you wanted to make us safe, pass gun reforms. Stop cutting Medicaid. Stop cutting cancer research. Stop cutting funds for veterans. That is what will make our cities safe.”

Read a full recap of Wu’s day in Washington here.