Dear Neighbor,
As the federal government shutdown enters its third week, we are left with frustrating uncertainty for the thousands of federal workers and federal contractors across the District, as well as residents who rely on vital federal government services. I want to reassure DC residents that despite the federal government shutdown, the local District government remains open and local services remain available. I and my colleagues will continue to explore avenues to support our federal workforce during this time. And last week, the Council passed an emergency measure to make sure there are no disruptions for people in need of marriage licenses in the District during a federal government shutdown. Additionally, I want to share these local and national resources available for our federal workers and contractors.
I also want to share an important update for DC families: as of this month, families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will see an increase in child support passthrough payments from $150 to $200 per month. All children deserve to have the financial support they need at home to thrive. Families receiving TANF benefits will now have more money to pay for housing, food, transportation, and more for kids. I am grateful to Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin, Chairman of the Committee on Human Services, and Attorney General Brian Schwalb for their partnership with me as Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety in enacting these changes through the Child Support Reform Amendment Act of 2025.
In my last newsletter, I told you about the legislation I was moving to extend the 11pm juvenile curfew on weekends and extend the Chief of Police’s ability to announce earlier curfews for large groups in pre-declared Juvenile Curfew Zones. I plan to introduce this measure at the next legislative meeting to ensure we can continue to use this preventative tool in certain limited areas around the city. The emergency curfew legislation implemented over the summer was effective in reducing juvenile crime without resulting in arrests. It is critical we give the Police Chief the tools to declare earlier curfew zones for large groups of young people in areas where it’s needed to keep kids and the entire community safe.
On October 23, I am holding a public roundtable on recent power outages that significantly impacted the District. DC residents should be able to rely on their power being on and in the case of a disaster or disruption, need clear communication channels. The Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety is holding a public roundtable on Thursday, October 23 on Power Outage Emergency Planning and Response and Recent Significant Power Outage Incidents. Oversight is needed over how significant power outages are handled by the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and other District agencies.
Finally, as October marks LGBTQ+ History Month, I invite you to join me in celebrating the achievements of our LGBTQ+ neighbors and learn about the history like the William Dorsey Swann marker in Dupont Circle. In DC, we welcome, support, and cherish our LGBTQ+ neighbors!
Yours in service,
Brooke
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In the Community
Over the last two weeks, Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto have met with residents, advocacy groups, and District officials in Ward 2 and across the District, including:
- Joining DC SAFE (Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment) to discuss Councilmember Pinto’s commitment to protecting and empowering domestic violence survivors across the District
- Joining Georgetown Main Street to discuss Councilmember Pinto’s work to uplift locally owned businesses by streamlining the licensing process and funding our Main Streets and Clean Teams programs
- Joining the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church's 158th Homecoming services to honor our history and reflect on our future
- Joining the Federal City Council meeting to discuss DC’s economic competitiveness in the DMV region
In the News
READ THE GEORGETOWNER: “Opinion: We Know How to Keep D.C. Safe. This Is Our Home, Too. By Brooke Pinto.”
“Our city has faced unwelcome, unwarranted and unprecedented federal interference this year. From the massive federal workforce layoffs to the deployment of ICE agents and National Guard troops on our streets, the impact of the federal overreach has upended the lives of many District residents.
Let me be very clear in this moment: I am committed to continuing to fight on your behalf to ensure that our local laws keep people safe and empower our residents to prosper. Our local officials and local law enforcement, who are accountable to District residents, are best positioned to do so.
As chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, I have passed dozens of laws, including far-reaching and comprehensive public safety legislative packages that have helped significantly drive down crime in the District. I am working on next steps to see more sustained safety across our city.”
Announcements
COMMUNITY OFFICE HOURS
Join Councilmember Pinto for community office hours on October 22. She wants to hear from you about your ideas and concerns and discuss ways to continue to keep our communities safe and help DC residents prosper.
Sign up here to join us!
PUBLIC ROUNDTABLE
DC residents should be able to rely on their power being on and in the case of a disaster or disruption, need clear communication channels. The Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety is holding a public roundtable on Thursday, October 23 on Power Outage Emergency Planning and Response and Recent Significant Power Outage Incidents. Oversight is needed over how significant power outages are handled by the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and other District agencies, particularly in light of two major power outage incidents that significantly impacted Ward 2 residents in February and July 2025, as well as the significant fire in Ward 7 at PEPCO’s Benning Road facility in September 2025.
The public is invited to testify. Those who wish to do so must register using the Council’s Hearing Management System at https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/register-to-testify/1976 by 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
NEW HEALTHY DC PLAN
Beginning January 1, DC Medicaid eligibility requirements will change. As a result, some residents will no longer be eligible for Medicaid. But there will be a new option: the Healthy DC Plan, which is available for residents who qualify and there will be no gap in coverage.
There are no monthly fees and no cost for care. All plans cover doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, mental health care, and more. The Healthy DC Plan is for adults between ages 21 and 64 who meet the income eligibility requirements.
