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The following statement is from DC Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) as the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform recessed before voting on 14 bills later tonight, weakening or repealing DC’s local laws and self-governance.

This week, it was back to school for DCPS and many of our DC public charter schools, and congratulations to all the students and families on your first week! Despite the alarming escalation of masked federal troops and National Guard stationed around our community, we also have to continue to find joy and normalcy and celebrate milestones. And despite the dangerous rhetoric out of the White House, we need to share and lift up what's actually happening in DC like reports showing enrollment has been growing steadily in the District's public schools, and students continue to make gains in ELA and math proficiency (including some Ward 6 schools leading the entire city). It's important we're sharing this good news.

I want to thank the many parents and community leaders who support our kids, teachers, and schools year-round, but a special thanks to the many who've stepped up to ensure students feel and are safe getting to and from school – I know parents have been going out of their way to walk with kids and even be a reassuring presence at Metro stations. These are not normal times, but what will help us get through these unnerving days will be our bonds as a community and looking out for one another. 

I also want to ask and encourage folks to make an extra effort to help support our local businesses. I've talked to so many of our small businesses that have just been crushed since the federal incursion was announced. 

Some shops are seeing sales down 50% compared to last year. Restaurants have seen reservations cancel in droves. Hotels and short-term-rentals have seen many cancellations and slower bookings. The Downtown BID released data showing they're seeing 12,000 fewer people coming downtown each day. These impacts are devastating for our local businesses and economy. To try and combat some of that, you may have seen Restaurant Week has been extended through this weekend. Please consider a meal out with friends or family at one of our amazing Ward 6 restaurants to show them some support. You can find the full list of those participating here but don't limit yourself to that list alone. I know I don't have to tell you - we've got amazing ways to get out of the house and enjoy our neighborhoods in Ward 6.

Remember, the goal of this administration is to beat us up and overwhelm us to the point we don't push back. The antidote to that is to get outside and be part of a community! It is important to send a clear message that the federal takeover is not needed or welcome here -- there's no ambiguity from me. If the President was serious about having the federal government work to improve public safety, they'd focus on better partnerships with our local efforts to reduce crime, improving the federal parts of our city's criminal justice system, and it would look a lot different. For folks who feel able, there are several protests being organized this weekend -- strong, ongoing shows of protest are a way to build courage together.

QUICK LINKS: The Truth About DC's Pre-Trial Detention System | School Modernizations | New at Watkins | Public Safety Update | Education Hill Transportation | One Bus Stop Fix | Northeast Library Elevator | Arena Stage Community Day | Traffic Changes on Maine Ave. SW | Office Hours | Events

Miss the last newsletter? I shared updates on the federal takeover attempts and how I've been pushing back, important details and resources to Know Your Rights, and key updates on Rumsey Pool and Garfield Park. You can read it here.

Hands Off DC – A Hard Week & What You Need to Know

President Trump's Actions and Executive Order

Passed Budget & 1st Vote on the Stadium Deal

The DC Council voted to approve a deal that will bring the Washington Commanders back to the RFK campus and grant them the rights to redevelop a large section of the 180 acres that has sat empty for decades. Councilmember Allen voted in favor of the deal in the Council’s first of two votes.

Ward 6 Update: What's in the Stadium Deal, School Tours & Fairer Elections
Plus: Ward 6 Week Is Soon!

DC Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) has introduced legislation containing a suite of new provisions requiring greater transparency in campaign contribution filings, restricting the use of AI-generated content in political campaigns, speeding up investigations and rulings by the Office of Campaign Finance, and making a number of updates to DC’s highly successful Fair Elections Program that has put DC residents, rather than big-money interests, back in the driver’s seat every election season. The changes would apply to local elections only.

The following statement is from DC Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6), Chair of the DC Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment, following the Council’s first vote approving the District’s FY26 budget, which included a restoration of more than $20 million to the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund and no changes to the District’s two leading climate laws.