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Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D - Ward 5) released the following statement today regarding the “Access to Contraceptives Amendment Act of 2016.” The District of Columbia is tied with Mississippi, at 62 percent for the highest rate of unintended pregnancies in the nation. Unplanned births can be costly and significantly impact those who may already be struggling financially. We also see disparities by ward. Unintended and teen pregnancy rates have dropped in every ward since 2002 except in Wards 5, 7, and 8. This bill will expand access to contraceptives, and in so doing, tackle the issue of unintended pregnancies…

For Immediate Release: April 13, 2016 Contact: Dionne Johnson Calhoun, 202-724-8028, dcalhoun@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary released the following statement on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: “In April, communities across the country observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which is observed this year from April 10-16. Americans are the victims of more than 20 million crimes each year, and crime can touch the lives of anyone regardless of age, national origin, race, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, immigration or economic status. This year's theme—Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope.—underscores…

Please join me on Thursday, April 21 at Smith Public Trust from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for my second Ward 5 Professionals Networking Mixer. Union Social is located at 3514 12th Street NE. You may access the Brookland-CUA red line train on the Metro. There will be music, light appetizers, great conversation and more. Share with your neighbors. Please RSVP here and use the hashtag #Ward5PNMixer. See you there! In Service,   Kenyan

Today, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), Chairperson of the Committee on the Judiciary, along with Chairman Mendelson and Councilmembers Bonds, Grosso, May, Nadeau, and Silverman introduced the “Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016,”a bill that makes sweeping reforms to the District of Columbia’s juvenile justice system. After months of collaboration with numerous experts and advocates in the field, McDuffie’s omnibus bill identifies reforms that prioritize rehabilitation, improve the conditions of confinement, strengthen government accountability, restore judicial discretion in juvenile sentencing, and open a pathway to permanent residency for young immigrants who are victims of abuse or neglect. Taken…

Councilmember McDuffie’s Statement on Today’s Ruling on Budget Autonomy For Immediate Release: March 18, 2016 Contact: Dionne Calhoun, 202-297-0152, dcalhoun@dccouncil.us Washington, D.C. - Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D – Ward 5) released the following statement today regarding the Budget Autonomy ruling by the Superior Court. “On April 27, 2014 I joined Chairman Phil Mendelson at Superior Court to announce that the Council of the District of Columbia was suing to enforce the will of the residents of the District. As Judge Holeman noted in his opinion “the citizens of the District overwhelmingly demonstrated their support for the Budget Autonomy Act,…

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 1, 2016 McDuffie Contact: Dionne Calhoun, (202) 297-0152 or dcalhoun@dccouncil.us   Today, the Council of the District of Columbia unanimously passed the “Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Amendment Act of 2016” (NEAR Act) introduced by Councilmember McDuffie. The NEAR Act is an innovative, data-driven approach that establishes the District as a national leader in crime prevention policy. Grounded in the principle that violent crime is a public health crisis, the NEAR Act treats crime’s root causes. “Implementing the NEAR Act means effective and sustainable crime prevention for District residents,” said Councilmember McDuffie. “One homicide in the…

Dear Residents, My comprehensive bill to combat and prevent crime will come before the Council for a final vote today. You may view the live stream of the legislative meeting here or tune into Channel 13. How you can get Involved Share this information with your neighbors, family, and friends Join in on the conversation on social media and use #NEARAct Learn more at kenyanmcduffie.com, follow on Twitter @CM_McDuffie and like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KenyanRMcDuffie The Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Amendment Act of 2016 (NEAR Act) is a comprehensive bill that adopts a public health approach to addressing crime by not…

For Immediate Release: February 17, 2016 Contact: Dionne Calhoun, 202-297-0152, dcalhoun@dccouncil.us Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary released the following statement on the status of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (DCFEMS) at the Committee on Judiciary performance oversight hearing: “Today’s hearing focused on emergency medical services (EMS) delivery. I was deeply troubled by the allegations detailed in Dr. Jullette Saussy’s resignation letter. Seven months ago, Dr. Saussey was hired in an effort to reform the system that has been plagued for years. The four page…

(Washington, DC) – Today, the Council of the District of Columbia passed, on first reading, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie’s (D-Ward 5) “Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Amendment Act of 2016 (NEAR Act),” a comprehensive bill that re-calibrates how the District approaches public safety, by not just addressing crime after it occurs, but rather working to prevent crime by treating its root causes in a long-term, sustainable way.  The NEAR Act addresses crime in several ways, including using a public health approach that requires the collaboration of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and health and human services agencies. The NEAR Act will…