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Statement on Council Final Vote on RENTAL Act

Today, the Council has taken an important step toward addressing the District’s housing crisis with the passage of the Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants, and Landlords (RENTAL) Act. This legislation is the product of significant consultation with many local stakeholders, including tenants, advocates, housing providers, and developers, who engaged in this process with seriousness and good faith.  The bill makes it easier for housing providers to remove tenants who violate their lease by failing to pay rent or engaging in serious criminal conduct. At the same time, it raises important questions about how we balance landlord needs with tenant protections, including special protections for victims of domestic violence. Evictions can have lasting and destabilizing impacts on families and communities, which is why these changes must always be viewed alongside our broader responsibility to preserve tenant rights and ensure long-term housing stability. In this debate, I worked to strengthen the ability of tenants to negotiate with prospective investors as part of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). TOPA is a District law that gives tenants…

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Statement on Final Vote on RFK Redevelopment Act

I pushed hard for stronger accountability to make sure the Washington Commanders deliver the housing and mixed-use development promised alongside the new stadium. My amendment to strengthen those protections did not pass. While I would have preferred a deal with tighter requirements and clearer enforcement, I ultimately chose to support the RFK Campus Redevelopment Act because I believe given the broad support on the Council this is a time to come together and press for the best implementation possible. If executed well, the potential benefits for the District are enormous. I look forward to being a partner in that implementation effort.   The RFK site can and should be a place where the District builds something extraordinary: new housing, good jobs, enhanced public access to the Anacostia River, environmental protections, and community benefits that reach residents citywide. This deal, even with its shortcomings, provides the framework to make that vision real.  As my vote indicates, I am committed to seeing this project succeed for the people of DC. The development has the potential to generate billions…

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Statement on US Attorney General Action

Last night, US Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an order purporting to give the Drug Enforcement Administrator the powers and duties of the DC Chief of Police and suspending specific MPD General Orders. The Home Rule Act clearly vests local executive power in the mayor. Section 740 grants the president limited authority to direct the mayor to provide the services of MPD in special emergency circumstances. It does not give the president nor his administration the power to remove or replace the Chief of Police. Attorney General Bondi’s order is clear overreach and an attempt to subvert our local democratic government. Today, DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed suit challenging the federal government’s attempt to take over MPD. I fully support this action and stand with the mayor, DC Attorney General, and my fellow councilmembers to defend Home Rule and the rights of 700,000 District residents.

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Response to Presidential Action

It is a sad day for the District of Columbia, and a sad day for the United States of America. Crime is the ultimate political issue and often discussions of crime become delinked from facts in the service of a political agenda or in an effort to change the subject. The facts are that violent crime in the District of Columbia is down and going down. Indeed, violent crime is at the lowest level in decades. The District has also been exemplary by many measures. Our city has grown significantly in recent decades. Our parks are consistently rated the best in the country. Our schools have seen the fastest growth in the country. We are a world leader on environmental issues. Unlike some other jurisdictions, we balance our budget every year. Could we do better? Yes. Could the federal government help? Absolutely. We have consistently urged the federal government to nominate and confirm our judges, to strengthen prosecutions, and to support us as we contend with the special burdens of hosting the seat of government.…

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