Council Condemns Hate in Lead-up to First Legislative Meeting of Diverse New Council

In a week that will include protests by supporters of President Trump as well as a normally administrative but now critical consideration by Congress of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ victory in the election, the Council issued a statement supporting the peaceful transfer of power and condemning acts of hatred in our city.

A day after issuing its statement, as protests began in the District, the Council held its first Legislative Meeting of Council Period 24 (2021-2022). For the first time since Council Period 12 (1997-1998), the majority of our councilmembers are women, and for the first time since Council Period 19 (2011-2012), the majority of our councilmembers are Black.

The first Legislative Meeting of Council Period 24 was a short one, lasting under a half hour. Outside of the en bloc approval of uncontentious measures on the consent agenda, two bills were voted on at the most recent Meeting. The first allows for students who move from the custodianship of the District government to the care of an out-of-state parent to continue to be exempt from payment of non-resident tuition for the year in course and one additional school year. The second bill was a package of administrative reforms meant to streamline access to, and facilitate operation of, the DC Healthcare Alliance. Both bills were passed as emergency legislation, meaning they required a super-majority to be approved, but also that they will immediately go into effect after consideration by the Mayor, absent a veto.

The Council’s next Legislative Meeting will be held on February 2.