Press Releases

We applauded your decision to rollout a vaccine or test mandate earlier this month, but we must now ask that you go further. Ensuring all the adults around students and children, especially those who are ineligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, are fully vaccinated against the virus adds another layer of protection for these young people. As we head into the start of the school year, many parents have expressed anxiety at the uncertainty of what lies ahead for in-person learning. Strong vaccination and masking protocols, in tandem with other safety measures for our public schools and child care facilities, will provide us the best chance to keep children safe and keep our schools open this year.

"We must do all we can to protect District government employees and the residents we serve, especially children who are not eligible for the vaccine right now. This action will save lives,” said Councilmember Christina Henderson. “I greatly appreciate our labor leaders coming to the table to arrive at this joint conclusion. We are supporting the health of our workers, while ensuring a safe community for all District residents.”

“We have an obligation as policymakers to ensure an intentional, equitable recovery because our neighborhoods are only as strong as our most vulnerable residents. This budget makes significant investments in opportunities for all communities across the District of Columbia – particularly those hardest hit by the pandemic. Opportunity is exactly what is needed if we wish to build back better after the last 16 months of an incredibly devastating public health emergency,” said Councilmember Christina Henderson. “When we invest in our most vulnerable residents with investments in housing, education and workforce, maternal health, safe infrastructure, increased paid leave, and the support for pay parity in our childcare industry, we support the needs of thriving communities and a strong workforce.”

Today, Councilmember Christina Henderson along with Councilmembers Charles Allen, Brianne K. Nadeau, Brooke Pinto, Mary M. Cheh, Elissa Silverman and Janeese Lewis George introduced the Voter Ownership, Integrity, Choice, and Equity (VOICE) Amendment Act of 2021. This legislation would introduce ranked choice voting to the District of Columbia for our 2024 elections, with an accompanying public education campaign about the transition.

My proposed Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Fair Shot Budget marked the turning of a corner on a global public health crisis that has killed millions of people worldwide and led to a swift and deep global recession. This is a budget that makes significant investments to provide relief, recovery, and growth for residents and businesses across all eight wards. In formulating this budget, we focused on what we know to be the pillars of an equitable recovery: access to safe and affordable housing, high-quality job training, healthy neighborhoods, academic acceleration, increased access to quality child care, programs to reduce gun violence, safe and accessible transportation options, and support for businesses and residents hit hardest by the economic crisis of the past nearly year and a half.