Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Councilmember Christina Henderson (At-Large) introduced the Record Expungement Simplification to Offer Relief and Equity (“RESTORE”) Amendment Act to significantly expand the eligibility to seal or expunge publicly available criminal records for DC residents. This legislation is a bold step forward in DC’s commitment to reducing employment and housing barriers for those who were arrested but not convicted, convicted of a crime that has been decriminalized, or who have served their time and are returning home. The RESTORE Amendment Act simplifies the expungement and sealing processes to foster an environment in which they can be treated fairly.

Today, Councilmember Christina Henderson (At-Large) introduced legislation to address the ongoing student loan debt crisis and better protect over 116,000 District of Columbia student loan borrowers from unfair practices by lenders and loan servicers. More than 45 million student loan borrowers collectively owe $1.7 trillion of student loan debt, making student debt the second largest class of consumer debt in the country. The District’s 116,000 student loan borrowers collectively owe $7.5 billion in student loan debt, with the average balance exceeding $64,000. These borrowers owe more than any other state, carrying typical debt loads of $20,000 higher than the national average.

"The failure of the District’s COVID-19 vaccination registration portal on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of last week along with the inability of callers to connect with the call center for assistance were entirely unacceptable and avoidable events. As a member of the Committee on Health and the Committee on Government Operations, I have requested that both Chairpersons hold emergency oversight hearings with DC Health and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer for a thorough review of the events and decision-making that led to this government failure. I have also requested information from the Office of Contracting and Procurement regarding the contract for the registration portal.

Today, At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson introduced the FairWage Amendment Act of 2021, the Safe Passage to School Expansion Act of2021, and the Interagency Council on Behavioral Health Establishment Act of 2021. “I am proud to introduce three bills that advance an equity agenda that supports women, students, and vulnerable communities in the District of Columbia,” saidHenderson. “I firmly believe that in the District of Columbia your zip-code should not determine your opportunity for success, and the three bills I introduced today will help expand opportunity for District residents.”

Today, Councilmember Christina Henderson (At-Large) introduced legislation to increase access to maternal health resources. “For me, this issue is personal, having experienced first-hand the impact of DC not having a hospital that provides obstetrics care east of North Capitol Street,”said Henderson. “It will be a priority of mine to reduce the maternal mortality rate, provide support for expecting mothers including advocates in the delivery room, and expand our maternal health infrastructure to underserved areas of theDistrict of Columbia.”

What happened in the District of Columbia today was completely unacceptable. This was not a First Amendment demonstration – it was an unlawful riot fueled by the lies and hate of a man unable to accept defeat and willing to shred the very fabric of our democracy in an attempt to hold on to power. Not only did today’s act threaten our democracy, but they also put at risk the safety of D.C. residents who work and live in and around the Capitol area, as well as our businesses and sacred institutions.