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There was a lot of activity on the legislative front right before recess began, and we have a number of updates in this email. I'm proud of what we've already accomplished this year and thank you for your support and engagement.
I'm available throughout the recess period along with my staff. Don't hesitate to contact us with concerns, requests, questions, or anything else. Ward 1 doesn't stop. And neither do we!
A critical priority is securing resources from the District and the federal government to support migrants and asylum seekers who are being bused to Union Station as part of a cruel political stunt by the Republican governors of Texas and Arizona.
I wrote a letter to the Mayor, co-signed by a majority of my colleagues on the Council, to ask for her help in securing aid. The District welcomes everyone regardless of immigration status, but for many people on these buses, we're just a stop on the journey to their intended destination (often friends or family). After three months of this, local mutual aid networks and other volunteers are overwhelmed and depleted — they've spent well over $220,000 in just a few months. And the District faces a likely budget surplus this year, which could be tapped
alongside federal funds to meet the need.
It's time to stand up and show that we are the sanctuary city we say we are. We must be doing more to shelter and assist migrants and asylum seekers in this time of need.
Legislative Updates
Enhancing Reproductive Health Protections Amendment Act
July 14 saw our first public hearing on this bill by Councilmember Henderson, which I co-introduced with eight of my colleagues on the Council.
Once Roe v. Wade was overturned, state governments across the country rushed to punish and criminalize not just people seeking reproductive health care but the people who assist them as well. Our bill extends the protections in the Human Rights Act to anyone who supports or assists another person's self-managed abortion. We'll defend the right to reproductive health and ensure nationwide access to FDA-approved medications that allow someone to self-terminate a pregnancy. It's a lifeline for District residents and any American who cannot take time off work or travel for abortion care.
Like my Human Rights Sanctuary Amendment Act from earlier this year, this bill declares that the District is a safe haven for human rights in America. I'm proud of this work and will continue to defend the right to give and receive reproductive care here in the District.
Eliminating Restrictive and Segregated Enclosures (ERASE) Solitary Confinement Act
Solitary confinement often fails to achieve its stated goals and is harmful to incarcerated people. I co-introduced this bill by Councilmember Cheh to end solitary confinement in District jails and youth detention facilities, restricting the use of "safe cells" and requiring that incarcerated people with mental health emergencies receive the care they're entitled to.
Once passed, this bill will require the Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to create plans to eliminate solitary confinement and report on the consequences and impacts of doing so.
Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Amendment Act of 2022
The District's child welfare and foster care systems don't prepare children to live independently by the time they age out and almost none of them move into an apartment of their own. Instead, unless an individual has made plans of their own, they're often referred into the homeless continuum of care. Not only is this disruptive and potentially harmful, it's completely avoidable. In fact, federal vouchers exist through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to address this exact scenario — providing up to five years of housing assistance!
So I introduced a bill that requires the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) to do the necessary work to secure these noncompetitive vouchers for eligible children aging out of the foster care system, providing a stable, independent place to live for District youth as soon as they're eligible. This will ensure a smooth transition into adulthood and independent living for anyone aging out of the system and offer a great start.
Community Updates
Monkeypox Vaccinations
Monkeypox is a viral illness that's confirmed to be spreading here in the District. Monkeypox is primarily transmitted through contact with an infected person or bodily fluids, so it is not as readily spread as COVID-19. DC Health is working to make vaccination appointments available as quickly as possible. Learn more about the illness and schedule a vaccination appointment here.
Washington Blade and DC Health are collaborating on a Monkeypox Town Hall on July 25 that's free to all. RSVP here and bring any questions you have!
In-home COVID-19 Testing
With seniors and persons with disabilities in mind, DC Health has made in-home rapid and PCR testing available to all District residents on a first-come first-served basis. Call the DC Health COVID-19 Call Center (1-855-363-0333) to schedule an appointment! Available Monday-Saturday. Click here for more information.
Events
Jobs Not Guns Summit and Recruitment Fair
The third Jobs Not Guns summit and job recruitment fair is coming to Ward 1 next week at the Columbia Heights Education Campus. Save the date!
I'm proud to co-host this free event with ANC1A, ANC1B, and ANC1C. Many thanks to the DC Business Gun Violence Prevention Coalition for their work to hire here in Ward 1.
We know that a key part of violence prevention is creating opportunity — and a fulfilling, well-paying job can go a long way. This summit is dedicated to addressing common barriers to employment and connecting Ward 1 residents with training and apprenticeship programs, vocational education providers, and open positions in various fields across the city.
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