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Dear Neighbors,
As of this week, the Council is officially back from summer recess, but honestly, it felt like the work never slowed down this summer. The past two weeks have felt like a series of highs and lows. To try to condense things for this edition of the newsletter, I offer some highlights.
Let’s start with the highs – on Wednesday, the Council passed my emergency legislation Community Health Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 to ensure that DC residents can continue to access safe and effective vaccines from our local pharmacies without a prescription. Although the bill has passed, it is still awaiting signature by the Mayor, which we hope will happen early next week. In the meantime, if you or a loved one needs immediate access to the COVID-19 vaccine, both Maryland and Virigina have updated their regulatory policies so that you wouldn’t need a prescription in those states.
Also on vaccines, this week AHIP, the national advocacy and trade group for health insurance plans, announced that their members will continue covering all currently recommended vaccines, including this year’s COVID and influenza vaccines, through the end of 2026. Additionally, the DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) announced this week that they are requiring DC plans to cover these vaccines with no cost-sharing requirements. I applaud these decisions by DISB and our nation’s largest health insurance plans, which will ensure that vaccines remain affordable for thousands of District residents with private and public insurance.
Changing gears a bit, the Council took the final vote on the legislation to approve the redevelopment of the RFK Memorial Stadium by the Washington Commanders. If you have driven by the stadium lately, you will note that work is already happening on the site. I’m excited for the possibility of returning that land to productive use and converting the existing ocean of surface parking lots into a vibrant mixed-use development.
Now for the lows – it all has to do with Congress. The attacks on DC Home Rule are very real and they persist. Last week, the House Oversight Committee marked up 14 bills on DC on issues ranging from public safety to judges, and even school vouchers. This week, 4 of those bills passed the House and now move on to the Senate. I wasnot naïve to think that any of these bills would not pass (Republicans control the majority), but our goal was to ensure that none of these bills passed with bipartisan support. That was only the case for one bill which would eliminate the Judicial Nomination Commission and give the president even further control of the judiciary than the office already has.
I knew some of these votes would be tough given modifications that Republicans made through the markup process to remove some incendiary provisions, but I couldn’t help but be extremely disappointed that eight House Democrats felt like they had no choice but to vote for a bill that would make 14-year-olds in DC eligible to be tried as an adult and serve in federal prison. I went up to the Hill earlier this week and had conversations with some members and the staffs, and I have to admit the state of American politics right now is very depressing. It’s transactional; deliberations are not “Is this good policy?” but rather “Can this be used against me in an ad?” This imposition of policy without the participation of those being governed should be an affront to anyone who believes in democracy.
So where do we go from here? The Council’s engagement with Congress needs to be consistent and persistent. I am having conversations with Senators and their staffs because none of these bills can become law without seven Senate Democrats. While the Senate has gone nuclear on the rules for nominations, the filibuster threshold remains for legislation. The Council has retained a lobbyist because it’s becoming harder to keep up with all the attacks. We also need to nationalize these issues. DC has always been treated as a petri dish with the federal government trying out things here before taking it nationwide. Just look at what’s happening now in Memphis, TN with the National Guard. I know every day can feel like twenty different news cycles, but DC’s best asset and ambassador is its people, and I hope when you’re talking to friends, family, colleagues and associates across the country, you too are beating the drumbeat about how these attacks on American ideals need to end.
The rest of the newsletter is full of information about upcoming hearings and community events. Always remember to find some joy in the midst of the crazy. Be well.
The work continues…
In Service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
ChristinaHendersonDC.com
The Council is officially back from recess and approved the Community Health Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 introduced by Councilmember Henderson during its first meeting this fall. The bill ensures that District residents can have continued access to safe and effective immunizations at local pharmacies. The Mayor will need to sign the bill before residents can access the COVID-19 vaccine in DC without a prescription.
Upcoming Committee Hearings
PR26-0240 - Health Benefit Exchange Authority Executive Board Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt Confirmation Resolution of 2025
PR26-0276 - Board of Dietetics and Nutrition John Troast Confirmation Resolution of 2025
Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) in the District’s Medicaid Program
The Committee on Health team recently returned from attending the National Academy for State Health Policy Annual Conference. The conference centers around bringing attention to issues facing state health policymakers and highlights innovative solutions by bringing together the nation’s leading experts. Topics included Medicaid, public health, health care costs, workforce, maternal and child health, primary care, caregiving, aging, and more. The above picture includes Committee on Health members Senior Policy Advisor Marcia Huff, Health Policy Legislative Advisor Rebecca Cooper, Committee on Health Committee Director Ona Balkus and Director of DC Health Dr. Ayanna Bennett.
This week on Wednesday, September 17, the DC Council held its first legislative meeting since reconvening after summer recess. Highlights from the legislative meeting include:
White House Wednesday
On Wednesday, September 10, Councilmember Henderson joined “White House Wednesday with Sunni and Ebony McMorris” on WHUR to discuss the US House Oversight and Government Reform Committee markup at which members approved more than a dozen bills related to the District, including legislation to treat children as young as 14 as adults in criminal court. You can listen to the interview, here.
Continuing her explanation of House legislation aimed at undermining District autonomy, Councilmember Henderson joined City Cast DC on Thursday, September 11, to discuss how a Congressional committee voted on numerous bills pertaining toDC that did not receive a hearing, testimony, or legal sufficiency. The bills includelanguage to abolish the Second Chance Amendment Act and the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (IRAA), increase the Congressional Review days from DC legislation to 60 days, and abolish the city’s Judicial Nomination Commission. You can listen to the interview, here.
Also on September 11, Councilmember Henderson spoke on a panel at the Alliance for Fertility Preservation Policy Summit to discuss state and federal preservation health insurance coverages and advocacy efforts nationwide. She was joined byVirginia Delegate Dan Helmer and Maryland Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk. During the panel, Councilmember Henderson provided details on her Expanding Access to Fertility Treatment Amendment Act which: expanded the definition of infertility to include anyone who is unable to establish a pregnancy for a variety of reasons, added standard fertility preservation services as a procedure for which insurance companies must provide coverage, specified that coverage must include at least three complete oocyte (egg) retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers from those retrievals, and further separated the private health insurance plan requirements from the expansion of coverage under Medicaid and the Alliance.
Expansion of Stanton Supermarket in Ward 8
The next day, on Friday, September 12, Councilmember Henderson joined a celebration in Ward 8 for DC Central Kitchen’s Healthy Corners program expansion of the Stanton Supermarket at 1453 Howard Road SE. The expansion includes a new produce department with five full-sized refrigerators, two freezers, an upgraded open-air fridge, and shelving to hold fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. As the Chair of the Committee on Health, Councilmember Henderson has made investments in increasing critical food access through the FY 2025 budget, including a $750K Healthy Corners grant (along with other healthy food access grants) of recurring dollars instead of one-time funding, helping to ensure the sustainability of these programs.
Attending the DC Kids and Schools Coalition Launch
On Monday, September 15, Councilmember Henderson attended a launch event for the new DC Kids and Schools Campaign. The campaign aims to carve out a narrative for DC highlighting the academic progress the District has made over the last two decades. Pictured with Councilmember Henderson are Maya Martin Cadogan, executive director of Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE), Carol Thompson Cole, former CEO of Venture Philanthropy Partners, and Jim Kline, executive director of the DC Education Fund.
Ward 8 Health Council Meeting
On Wednesday, September 17, Senior Policy Advisor Marcia Huff attended the Ward 8 Health Council meeting to provide updates on the activities of the Committee on Health. The Ward 8 Health Council convenes on the third Wednesday of each month at the University of the District of Columbia and includes a diverse group of stakeholders. You can sign up to attend future meetings, here.
The National Press Club Headliners Event
On Tuesday, September 16, Councilmember Henderson participated alongside DC Shadow Senator Ankit Jain in a panel at the National Press Club to share insights on Congressional efforts to take control of DC, the deployment of National Guard members, and how the recent events connect to the fight for DC autonomy. The conversation was moderated by 2023 National Press Club President Eileen Drage O’Reilly, a current editor at Axios.
Community Leadership Briefing at MLK Jr. Library
Also on September 16, Committee on Health staff attended the Community Leadership Briefing at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The briefing shared information on changes to Medicaid and subsequent impact on the DC community. In addition to outlining major changes to Medicaid which will be effectiveJanuary 1, DC Health Link unveiled the Healthy DC Plan – this quality health plan will be available at no charge to people losing their Medicaid coverage.
Ward 7 and 8 Prevention Center
On Monday, September 15, Senior Policy Advisor Marcia Huff visited the DC Ward 7 and 8 Prevention Center at 3939 Benning Road NE. The Prevention Center is one of four in the District and partners with communities and neighborhoods to provide substance use education, engage community leaders, youth, and families to take action, and work on addressing the local conditions that contribute to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.
West Porch Fridays
Union Station is proud to introduce West Porch Fridays, taking place every Fridayuntil September 27 from 11:30am – 3:30pm. West Porch Fridays is a curated farmer’s market, featuring local makers and growers, a variety of music and more! Each week will bring something new and different to this historic venue.
D.C.’s 1st Huitlacoche Festival
Edgewood Community Farm is proud to present Washington, D.C.’s first Huitlacoche Festival on Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at 2304 2nd St. NE. Sometimes called corn truffle or Mexican truffle, huitlacoche is a flavorful mushroom that grows on corn and has been celebrated in Mexican cuisine for centuries. Our goal is simple: help more people in the DMV get to know, taste, and cook with huitlacoche.
Join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and community featuring live cooking demos, free tastings (while supplies last), yoga on the lawn, farm tours, lawn games, live music, a choir performance, face painting, flower bouquet making, a local candle vendor, free groceries with ReDelicious, and fields open for picking fresh flowers, herbs, and produce at no cost. Admission is free, but registration is requested.
For those interested in volunteering at this event, you can find more informationhere.
Join Fall Family Fest
Fall Family Fest will be held on Sunday, October 12 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm atthe Lot at 4th and M. The Fall Family Fest will feature live music, food and market vendors, raffle prizes, photo opportunities at our Portrait Station, painting of a Community Mural, Gymboree, face painting, portraits & caricatures, and a pet adoption opportunity. There will be pet-friendly activities including a "Mutt Strutt" along 4th Street, pet-friendly vendors, and a pet costume contest. The 2026 PAWS of Southwest calendar will also be available for purchase.
You can register here.
Volunteer at Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo is back this October! This beloved family-friendly Halloween event features 30 treat stations throughout the Zoo, plus playful vignettes of frolicking skeletons and fantastic creatures along the main pathway, Olmsted Walk. Guests can also explore the Elephant Community Center, Small Mammal House, and Reptile Discovery Center, where animals will enjoy spooky enrichment and festive treats.
Boo at the Zoo helps fund essential operations at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, supporting our mission to care for animals and protect endangered species. The success of this children's trick-or-treating celebration depends on the generous support of our volunteers. We couldn’t do it without you!
Sign up to volunteer on October 17, 18, or 19 and help bring the magic to life! You can learn more information, here.
Join Mitchell Park Fall Fun Day
Mitchell Park Fall Fun Day is an annual community celebration bringing together 500+ neighbors, families, and kids. Help us welcome fall with free activities, food, crafts, community organizations, music, pumpkin decorating, a haunted house, and more! Join in on the fun, Sunday, October 26 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at 2222 S St NW. The event is accessible via Dupont Circle Metro (Red Line), D70 / D72 / D74 buses, or local street parking.
2025 Late Skate
Come get your skate on! Join APACC, Friends of Anacostia Park, the LinkUP DC and the National Park Service for a day of music, recreation and kinship in DC's most storied skating venue. Saturday, October 29, from 4:00pm to 10:00pm at Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion (1500 Anacostia Drive). Free skate rentals!
2025 Songbird Art Contest
The 2025 Songbird Art Contest invites young artists to celebrate the beauty and wonder of North America's songbirds. Open to all K-12 students, this annual competition encourages creativity and conservation by spotlighting some of the continent’s most captivating – and threatened – bird species. This year’s featured species includes Black-and-white Warbler, Pinyon Jay, Purple Finch, Varied Bunting, and White-breasted Nuthatch. Visit this link to learn more about the contest and how to submit entries by the deadline of November 30.
Have a constituent service need related to the Health Committee or any of the other agencies in DC Government? Want Councilmember Henderson to come to your community event or meeting? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Constituent Services Director Ana Berrios-Vazquez during regular business hours (9:00am - 5:30pm) at 202-724-8105, or ABerriosVazquez@dccouncil.gov.
How to File a Police Complaint
The Office of Police Complaints (OPC) provides a variety of ways to file a police misconduct complaint. A completed, signed complaint form must be received within 90 days of the date of the incident. Please note that OPC only has jurisdiction over incidents that occur in the District of Columbia and involve Metropolitan Police Department (Washington, D.C.) and D.C. Housing Authority Police Department officers.
OPC investigates the following allegations: harassment; use of unnecessary or excessive force; use of language or conduct that is insulting, demeaning, or humiliating; discriminatory treatment; retaliation for filing a complaint with OPC; and failure to wear or display required identification or identify oneself by name and badge number when requested to do so by a member of the public
File a complaint online by clicking here. Watch this video for step-by-step instructions on how to file a complaint with OPC.
You can also download a complaint form. Forms can be submitted:
You can pick up a complaint form at the locations below:
For more information, call (202) 727-3838, M-F, 8:30am - 5:00pm or toll-free anytime at 866-588-0569
Sun Day in DC
Save the Date for Sun Day in DC on September 21, 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Solar Curious? Get Solar Serious! Save the date and join the fun at our District-wide celebration of clean energy. You are invited to visit sites across the District to learn about all the ways you can power your life with solar, batteries, and EVs. Residents at solar sites, vetted installers, and experts at 8 information hubs across the city will be there to answer your questions.
Get information on attending here.
DMV Car Seat Safety Program
On Saturday, September 27, the DMV will host a car seat installation and checkup event at our Inspection Station in partnership with DC's Highway Safety Office (HSO), Safe Kids Worldwide and State Farm for National Seat Check Saturday. Join us from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the DMV Inspection Station on 1001 Half Street SW.Please note, a child must be present in a vehicle to receive a free replacement car seat.
Not able to join that Saturday? DC residents can visit the Inspection Station year-round during operating hours for a free car seat safety check. For more information about the DMV Car Seat Safety Program, visit the DMV website here.
OPC Community Water Summit
Join The Office of the People’s Counsel’s (OPC) Water Summit on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 9:30am to 3:30pm at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G Street Northwest).
This engaging and interactive summit will bring community partners together with industry experts, dynamic panelists, utility officials, and social service providers. The luncheon keynote speaker will close out the day with a call to action to empower consumers with the tools to be “water smart”. Water is our right — help us protect it.
You can register here.
Foot Locker Foundation Community Empower Program
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Foot Locker, Inc., through the Foot Locker Foundation, are launching a fifth round of grants for the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program, which funds nonprofit community organizations that connect youth to mentorship, education, career development, and health services. To date, the program has deployed nearly $5.2 million to empower 27,000 youth in low-to-moderate income communities and build the capacity of 68 local nonprofits that serve them.
The Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program offers two types of grants:
Interested organizations must submit an application by September 30, 2025. To apply, click here.
Participate in Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month
October is Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month — and we invite you to tellyour prevention story. To inspire action, each of us can share how prevention is improving lives in our community.
Prevention Month lifts up the national conversation — to showcase prevention’s positive effects on communities across the country.
Join us, as partners in prevention!
Join the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC)
The National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) is inviting youth practitioners, community leaders, employers, and young people to join them in Washington, D.C. for our annual Youth Days event from November 5th -7th, 2025. There will be engaging workshops aimed at empowering participants with the tools and confidence to lead meaningful discussions with policy makers. In these practical sessions, participants will discover the strategies and methods necessary to communicate successfully for specific causes and for their communities.
For more information and to register, click here
DPW: The Podcast that Explains How Public Works...Works
Did you know the Department of Public Works (DPW) has a podcast? DPW's podcast “Inside DPW: The Podcast that Explains How Public Works...Works,” airs weekdays at 9:00am on DCradio.gov. Available on Spotify and iHeartRadio, each episode dives deep into the work of DPW, spotlighting both the people behind the services and the challenges they tackle every day. Listeners will gain insight into the culture of graffiti from experts who explain why it’s so tough for municipalities around the world to tackle. You'll hear how they work with other agencies to close the loop on service concerns and also from leaders of other jurisdictions to see how DC stacks up. And when it comes to reducing the District’s rodent population, you’ll hear directly from rat specialists who break down rodent behavior so residents understand the role they can play in helping to keep vermin at bay.
You can check out previous episodes here.
Composting Made Easier with DC’s Food Waste Smart Bins
DC Residents and visitors can help the District meet its zero waste goals by dropping off their food scraps at any of the thirty food waste ‘Smart Bins’ available ward-wide 24/7. The Food Waste Smart Bins’ “rodent-resistant” design keeps food scraps out of the reach of rats or other rodents. The smart bins, which have sensors that monitor bin fullness levels, can be accessed using the metroKEY mobile app or an easy-to-remember keypad code if you don't have a smartphone.
Get the DC DMV App
DC DMV has made it easier for you to "Skip-the-Trip" with several new updates to our mobile app! DC DMV allows access to several online services for the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles, including the following: