For Immediate Release
June 11, 2025
Sierra Wallace, Communications Director
(202) 355-8431‍
swallace@dccouncil.gov

Councilmember Henderson Introduces Charter Amendment to Prohibit Expelled Councilmembers from Serving for 5 Years after Expulsion

Washington, DC – On Monday, June 9, Councilmember Henderson introduced the Public Service Exception Charter Amendment Act of 2025. The bill proposes an amendment to the Charter for the District of Columbia to prohibit any expelled Councilmember from serving as Councilmember for a period of five years following the expulsion. Should the bill be approved by the Council, it will then be placed on the ballot for District voters to ratify.

“In the wake of this year’s expulsion, and to help restore faith in our government institutions, I am introducing legislation that would close a loophole and establish consequences for being expelled from the governing body,” stated Councilmember Henderson. “As public officials, we have a responsibility to uphold the sacred trust of our office, not only when we are considering ethics violations by a colleague, but when we realize that our laws must be updated in response to changing political situations.”

The referenced section of the Home Rule Act was last amended in 2012, when an expulsion process was established for Councilmembers and included a prohibition on serving on the Council or as Mayor if an individual has been convicted of a felony while in office. Should the introduced amendment be approved by the Council, it will then be placed on the ballot for District voters to ratify. Alternatively, if residents want to propose changes to the Charter, after gathering the required number of signatures, the measure can then be put on the ballot for a vote.  

The Public Service Exception Charter Amendment Act of 2025 was co-introduced by Councilmembers Brooke Pinto, Charles Allen, and Brianne K. Nadeau.

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