Newsroom

Ward 6 Councilmember also re-introduces bill to organize city services on our waterways and a bill supporting children of first responders killed on-duty

The following statement was issued by Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), who chairs the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety:

Today Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) introduced legislation that proposes expanding the list of maternal health care services that must be covered under insurance, creates a Center for Maternal Wellness, and requires implicit bias training in continuing medical education instruction.

Statement from Councilmember Charles Allen:

“The memo and investigation released via WMATA make it clear that Councilmember Jack Evans took advantage of the public’s trust for his personal gain. He also betrayed the Council’s trust in appointing him to this role - and has done damage to this body and the District of Columbia. It was the right decision for him to step down from the Board. When the Council voted to reprimand Councilmember Evans earlier this year, we did so understanding new evidence of misconduct could come to light based on pending investigations. With what has been revealed by WMATA’s internal ethics investigation, I believe Councilmember Evans should be censured and removed from all Committees, including as Chair of the Committee on Finance and Revenue, until we have a resolution to any federal investigation.

There is no scenario in which Councilmember Evans’ conduct is inappropriate for his service as our representative to the Metro Board, but somehow acceptable as a Councilmember. However, Councilmember Evans served on the Metro Board at the request of the Council. He was elected as a Councilmember based on the voice of Ward 2 voters. That is a much higher standard and I believe at this time that censure and removal from all committee is the appropriate next step until the Council and the people of the District of Columbia know more.”

Last Friday was DC Flag Day, a chance to celebrate what it means to be a proud resident of the District of Columbia and highlight that 702,000 Americans don't have a voice in the legislative branch of our federal government. I took the opportunity to head to Capitol Hill and take a photo in the Rayburn House Office Building, where a historic hearing to consider H.R.51 will be held on July 24. While I think DC statehood is long overdue and the status quo is indefensible, not all of our country's leaders agree. Keep an eye out for ways to show your support as we get closer to the hearing.

Press release from Councilmember Charles Allen following the Council's final vote on the budget, which included shifting millions of excess tax revenue from Events DC to fund public housing repairs. Release:

Chairman Mendelson and Councilmember Allen co-authored an op-ed in the Washington Post pushing to move excess revenue from Events DC to pay for emergency repairs in 400 public housing homes.

Today, DC Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) introduced a bill that proposes moving responsibility for investigating complaints against Special Police Officers to the Office of Police Complaints (OPC), the independent agency which handles investigations and tracks complaints filed against officers of the Metropolitan Police Department.

I hope you and your family had a great Memorial Day weekend and were able to take a moment to remember the many DC residents and Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

Ward 6 is home to the most public housing in the District, including Greenleaf Gardens