In progress subject to control of Washington? Initially yes (5,3)
I believe the answer is:
under way
'in progress' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'subject to control of washington? initially yes' is the wordplay.
'subject to' becomes 'under' (being subject to a law is being under it).
'control of washington?' becomes 'wa' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'yes' is 'y'.
'under'+'wa'+'y'='UNDER WAY'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for under way that I've seen before include "Tunnel" , "coming on" , "In progress" , "Might sewer network be" , "Going" .)