On January 2, the D.C. Council started Council Period 26, which will end on December 31, 2026. During this, councilmembers will consider legislation, assign budgets, and conduct oversight of government agencies. 

The D.C. Council currently has ten committees that consider legislation in their areas and oversee relevant local government agencies. For example, the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety considers legislation related to local public safety efforts and the local civil and criminal justice system, among other matters. This committee also oversees various relevant government agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department, the Department of Corrections, and the Office of Police Complaints. 

Contacting councilmembers on relevant committees and testifying at legislative hearings are great ways to participate in important decision-making processes that affect many aspects of our lives in D.C. 

You can contact any D.C. Councilmembers on any committee, but your outreach often has the most impact if you live in that Councilmember’s ward. To find out which ward you live in, visit: https://planning.dc.gov/whatsmyward. In addition to your ward Councilmember, you are also represented by four At-Large Councilmembers: Anita Bonds, Christina Henderson, Kenyan McDuffie, and Robert White.