Press Releases

On Friday, the Chief Financial Officer released the September revenue estimate which indicates that nearly $40 million in excess revenue is available to temporarily fund the Give SNAP a Raise Amendment Act of 2022, which I authored and passed  late last year.

Today, the Committee on Health, chaired by Councilmember Christina Henderson, approved 10 measures including the Prior Authorization Reform Amendment Act of 2023, the Health Professional Licensing Board Residency Requirement Amendment Act of 2023, the Ambulatory Surgical Facility Amendment Act of 2023, and 7 nominations for health advisory boards. 

Councilmember Henderson introduced the Sense of the Council on the Opioid and Fentanyl Epidemic Resolution of 2023. This resolution urges the Mayor to declare the opioid and fentanyl crisis in the District a public health emergency, recognizing the gravity of the situation and committing sufficient resources to safeguarding the well-being of District residents.

I wrote a letter to Mayor Bowser regarding the importance of funding two pieces of legislation in the FY25 Budget: the Give SNAP a Raise Amendment Act of 2022, which would provide a 10% local enhancement to SNAP recipients, as well as the Universal Free School Meals Act of 2023, which would provide free breakfast, lunch, and snacks to all DC public and public charter schools and for participating private school students.

This Saturday, August 12, 2023, from 10am-1pm, at Bard High School Early College (1351 Alabama Ave, SE), Councilmember Christina Henderson and the Arika Trim Foundation will host the Black Mamas Community Wellness Day.

Prior to the start of the DC Council’s legislative recess,Councilmember Henderson introduced the Automatic Retirement Savings Act of 2023. This legislation aims to support employees of our city’s small businesses. Small businesses and their employees are vital to the cultural vibrancy and economic health of the District. While many area employers, including the District government, offer retirement savings programs to their employees, approximately 173,000 employees in the District do not have access to a retirement savings account through their employer. That number may grow as more small businesses establish themselves in the city.