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Dear Neighbor,
This evening, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on two bills that undermine our local system. One bill is the “District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025” (H.R. 5214), which would bring back a cash bail system. We have not had cash bail in DC for more than 30 years. A person’s ability to pay should not impact their detainment – it should be based on risk, not financial status. The other bill is the “Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act of 2025” (H.R. 5107). This bill will undo laws passed by Council, including measures to expand the use of body-worn cameras for MPD officers.
Let me be very clear: Local DC officials, who are accountable to our residents, are best positioned to keep our city safe and to support economic opportunities for our neighbors and businesses. I am urging members of Congress to vote against these bills that undermine our local authority and will negatively impact District residents.
Additionally, earlier this week I was thrilled to tell you about my new “Prosper DC Plan” that will catalyze economic opportunities for District residents and businesses. This comprehensive plan includes the introduction of 23 new bills to deliver: (1) economic opportunities for residents (2) positive youth development (3) efforts to support and attract businesses and (4) affordable, healthy and accessible Housing. Since my announcement on Monday, the bills have been referred to their respective committees, and I look forward to the committee chairs holding hearings to discuss the legislation soon.
I also want to remind you of my upcoming December 4th public safety hearing to discuss the state of public safety in the District as we see continued federal presence in our city. It will also include discussion of a permanent version of the juvenile curfew among other measures. Earlier this month, the Council passed my emergency legislation that extended the ability to give MPD the authority to declare earlier juvenile curfew zones in areas where there is information about planned fights or harmful behaviors. This is a critical preventative tool to respond to the limited instances of harmful activity.
Yours in service,
Brooke
Legislative Updates
Juvenile Curfew Emergency Legislation
On Tuesday, November 4th, the Council passed Councilmember Pinto’s emergency legislation to extend the juvenile curfew in the District. This preventive tool extends the ability to give MPD the authority to declare earlier juvenile curfew zones in areas where there is information about planned fights or harmful behaviors.
Child Tax Credit
During the November 4th legislative session, the Council also passed an amendment co-introduced by Councilmember Pinto and led by Councilmembers Zachary Parker and Matt Frumin that secures a District Child Tax Credit and improves the Earned Income Tax Credit. These tools have demonstrated clear impact to reduce poverty, promote better child nutrition, and improve financial stability for families.
Joint Hearing on Youth Safety
On Thursday, November 13, the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety and the Committee on Youth Affairs held a joint hearing and discussed the following youth safety legislation:
In the Community
Over the last two weeks, Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto have met with residents, advocacy groups, and local and federal partners across the District, including:
- Celebrating Gerard Brown for his 25 years of dedicated public service to DC as he retires from his role leading DC Health’s rodent abatement program
- Attending the District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) annual meeting to discuss innovative ways to support housing and commercial development across DC
- Meeting with neighbors at Inspir Embassy Row to discuss ways to empower our seniors to live connected and active lives
- Joining the celebration for the Office of Attorney General (OAG) Right Direction awards, which honors District youth who have overcome significant challenges and are positively impacting their community
- Joining the State Board of Education (SBOE) breakfast meeting with the DC Council to discuss shared goals of empowering our students and educators to thrive
- Joining the potluck at the John A. Wilson building for an early Thanksgiving celebration with colleagues
In the News
WATCH WUSA9: “Pinto takes aim at public safety through economic opportunities in her Prosper DC Plan”
“Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto's latest legislative package seeks to improve public safety through what she says is a plan to provide economic opportunities for District residents and businesses.
The Prosper DC Plan includes 23 bills focused on improving housing, youth development, business incentives, and economic opportunities for residents.
"These ideas really came directly from conversations and meetings with stakeholders, residents across all eight wards," Pinto told WUSA9 during an interview on Monday.”
WATCH ABC7: “Councilmember Pinto rolls out ‘Prosper DC Plan’ focused on jobs, housing and youth”
“D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto introduced a sweeping package of 23 bills Monday morning aimed at expanding economic opportunities, improving youth development programs and supporting local businesses in the District.
According to Pinto, the “Prosper DC Plan” builds on Pinto’s earlier public safety-focused initiatives — Peace DC and Secure DC — by addressing what she calls the economic and opportunity gaps that contribute to instability for many residents.
The plan includes measures to improve job access, reduce barriers for entrepreneurs, expand youth programming and make housing more affordable.”
READ THE WASHINGTON POST: “D.C. lawmaker proposes summer jobs expansion, teen centers, apprenticeships”
“D.C.’s signature summer youth employment program could expand to include people up to age 30 under a bill introduced Monday by D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) — one of a slate of 23 bills the lawmaker introduced in an effort to uplift residents economically.
Many of the proposals focus on young people. In addition to expanding the youth employment program launched in 1979 by then-D.C. Mayor Marion Barry (D), the proposals would stand up new teen centers in all four city quadrants, create neighborhood-based organizations to support at-risk young people across the District, pilot a subsidized employment program for 100 young parents and create an apprenticeship program for high school graduates.
The measures also tackle other issues affecting a wider swath of residents. One bill, for example, would address an increasingly popular fertility procedure by requiring insurers to cover elective egg freezing for patients who live in D.C. Another proposal tries to put a dent in D.C.’s rat problem with more rodent-proof trash bins. Another seeks to stimulate job growth in the District by offering a tax credit to businesses that create at least 25 new jobs for D.C. residents.”
WATCH DC NEWS NOW: “‘Prosper DC’ plan aims to support youth development”
“Monday, Councilmember Brooke Pinto introduced “Prosper DC,” a multi-part plan made up of 23 separate bills that, in part, invests in youth development.
“We have to support positive programming and engagement for our young people, and we have to make sure we have clear guardrails. If somebody does not do the right thing or violates someone’s rights, there has to be accountability there,” said Pinto.”
WATCH WUSA9: “DC Council approves extending a stricter youth curfew while urging long-term solutions”
“Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto has led the effort on these changes as the Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety. She says she supports the legislation introduced by Mayor Muriel Bowser to make the enhanced curfew permanent. "Once we are getting to dispersal like we saw this weekend in Navy Yard, it's often times too late, and we need to protect our young people and our city, " Pinto told WUSA9.”
READ THE WASHINGTON POST “D.C. Council reinstates expanded youth curfew for 90 days”
“Council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), who chairs the council’s public safety committee and supported the curfew bill, said that during the 90-day emergency that began over the summer, D.C. police declared special curfew zones seven times and made no arrests of young people...
Pinto had previously introduced a bill that would expand the hours of public school buildings and recreation centers. Lewis George, who chairs the council’s facilities committee, said she would hold a hearing on it next month.”
Announcements
OUC Oversight
As Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, Councilmember Pinto is committed to ensuring our 911 call center provides fast, efficient, and accurate services for DC residents and visitors. There have been great improvements with our Office of Unified Communications (OUC) from significantly reduced call-to-answer wait times to increased staff and improved technology.
Councilmember Pinto’s oversight of OUC is ongoing to continue to improve services. Here is a look at the progress we have made and how you can use the OUC dashboard that was required under Councilmember Pinto’s Secure DC legislation.
DOES Seminars for Federal Employees
The Department of Employment Services (DOES) is hosting bi-weekly webinars to assist federal employees impacted by the recent reductions in force in the District of Columbia. The virtual webinar sessions provide guidance on available resources, including Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits process, job training opportunities, career counseling, and workforce re-entry programs. The next sessions will take place from 12:00pm to 1:00pm on December 5 and 12, 2025. For more information and to register, please click here.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Beginning tomorrow November 20, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., residents may schedule an appointment to apply for the (FY) 2026 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) by calling 202-507-6666 or by visiting the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC).
Applications by Appointment Only. DHS is transitioning to an appointment-based scheduling system. District residents may call 202-507-6666 to schedule an appointment.