This Saturday, I was sworn in to serve a full four-year term to represent the residents of Ward 2.I would like to thank all of you for once again placing your faith in me to lead during this time. My team and I look forward to working on your behalf and alongside the many community partners who will help us to make Ward 2 a great place to live, work, and visit. I would also like to thank DC Attorney General Karl Racine for administering my oath of office during the ceremony.

On Saturday, January 2, 2021, Brooke Pinto was sworn in to the office for a four-year term as the Ward 2 Councilmember. "I pursued this office with the desire to provide solutions to our greatest challenges. This year has shown that government—especially local government—is a vital actor in preserving and protecting its people. I believe that government not only can use its resources to improve lives, but it has the moral obligation to do so. This oath of office renews my commitment to serve the residents of Ward 2 and the entire District of Columbia with fervor, integrity, compassion, and respect," said Councilmember Pinto in her remarks.

Dear Neighbors, As I reflect on 2020, I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents of Ward 2 in what has been an incredibly challenging year. We began this journey together just six short months ago, right as I was sworn into office following the special election of June 2020. Upon entering office, we were faced with a global health pandemic unlike any other in recent times, the task of passing a balanced budget amidst revenue shortfalls, and providing relief to families, students, workers, and businesses who needed it most.

I know that many of us are still searching for answers and justice regarding the violent and terrorizing actions instigated by white supremacists in our city last weekend. I assure that you that as elected leaders, we take this very seriously – everything from the assaults on innocent residents to the burning of Black Lives Matters flags taken from historic churches – and will be working to investigate these hate crimes and bring charges against the offenders. Violence and hate will have no place here, and it will not be tolerated in our ward or in our city.

Today, the Council of the District of Columbia convened for the forty-first and final legislative meeting of Council Period 23. This meeting presented the Council’s last opportunity to vote on outstanding legislative measures introduced between January 2019 and December 2020, and saw the passage of significant bills related to criminal justice reform and public safety, fair labor and workers’ support, racial equity, and health and social services.

This week, the District Government shared major announcements regarding our citywide COVID recovery efforts and response, including one-time stimulus payments for residents who are currently receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), the opening of the Restaurant Bridge Fund applications, and the suspension of recreational sports and activities. More information about these changes can be found in the “COVID-19 Updates and Resources” section below.

This newsletter is slightly longer than usual, but there are many legislative and community updates that I want to share with you. I would also like to share a few updates on the District’s COVID response.

Councilmember Pinto spoke with the Georgetown Hoya about her plans to help sustain COVID-recovery, supporting workers and small businesses, and continuing to advance criminal justice reform in the upcoming council period. To read the full article, click here.

The Georgetown Hoya - "Ward 2 Councilmember Pinto (LAW ’17) Discusses Plans for Term, COVID-19 Recovery"

This week, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto introduced the "Minor Consent to Healthcare for HIV and AIDS Regulations Amendment Act of 2020" to increase access to medical care for minors seeking treatment of HIV and AIDS.