Republicans clinched control of the House yesterday, delivering President-elect Donald Trump a unified trifecta to carry out his agenda. From abortion access to immigration to D.C.'s ability to govern itself – the consequences of the sweep could be monumental.
There's still a lot we don't know, however, so we're trying to focus on what we do: D.C.'s right to self-governance has long been tenuous, and it's guaranteed to face additional challenges in the coming years. Understanding D.C. home rule — its limitations, parameters, and history — is critical to understanding how the GOP could wield federal power over the city, and what we could do to resist. Martin Austermuhle wrote this explainer, rounding up everything you need to know about home rule in D.C. We hope it gives you some insight into the fight ahead, and the ones that came before.
Whatever unfolds in the coming months, we'll be here; we hope you will too.
The John A. Wilson Building, where the D.C. Council, mayor, and District's shadow delegation to congress all operate. (David Gaines/Flickr)
It’s easy to visit Washington and come away inspired by the monuments and memorials to democracy and freedom. But it’s also true that if you live in D.C., many of those same high-minded proclamations fall short. As progressive D.C. reporter Sam Smith wrote in the early 1970s, “Washington does not participate in the Union, it waits on it. It stages a pageant of democracy without sharing the democracy that is portrayed.”
That's because D.C. has no voting representation in Congress and limited control over its own affairs. Home rule, which established the mayor and D.C. Council we have today, is relatively new.
D.C. minors are spending weeks and months at the youth jail without proper educational and mental health services. (Colleen Grablick)
After a protracted discussion around the dais, the D.C. Council gave first approval this week to a bill from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb requiring the city’s youth juvenile justice agency to actually … provide (and improve) rehabilitation services for the young people in its custody.
William T. Newman, Jr., Raghad Makhlouf, Tuyết Thị Phạm, Susan Rome, Billie Krishawn, Jabari Exum and Tom Story in The Art of Care. (Chris Banks/Mosaic Theater)
On an unseasonably warm November day, The 51st contributor India Kea attended a matinee showing of The Art of Care at the Mosaic Theater Company. Outside, she writes, the city was eerily subdued, weighed down by the recent election results which lingered in the air like a collective sigh. But within the theater, a different energy took hold — one of tenderness and community.
El Rey is hosting a Latino-run drag brunch. (Ted Eytan/Flickr)
If there's one thing that will always be true about D.C. in any season: There will be a lot of stuff to do. From a free, intimate classical concert to a hair show to an art or pottery fair, this weekend has no shortage of options. Start planning now!
We were inspired by this Reddit thread asking people about the niche D.C. community they were most impressed by. People shouted out trivia, dragon boat clubs, the drag scene, beekeeping, pinball leagues, and so many more. It's a great question in a city where everyone is passionate about something, and where people love organized fun.
So, we'd love to hear: What's your favorite niche community in D.C.? What makes you love it? How can people get involved? Reply to this message or email us at hello@51st.news and we might feature it in our next newsletter.
It takes a village to make The 51st. We’ll occasionally dedicate some space to introducing a member of the team.
What do you love about local news?
Working at WAMU and DCist showed me how local news can directly make people’s lives better. I’ve seen investigative reporting published by DCist result in emergency legislation being passed by the D.C. Council the very next day. There’s a lot of power that can be built from getting accurate and actionable information to people in the community, and elevating issues and highlighting solutions.
Some low-income D.C. residents are weathering winter without heat, warm showers, or electricity after falling behind on their utility payments. A new bill wants to prevent that. [Street Sense Media]
There's controversy but no winner yet in the race between probation officer Elissa De Souza, organizer and native Washingtonian Markita Bryant, and WMATA project manager Antonio Rossi for ANC 6/8F02. [The Washington Informer]
Aliens? Sure, why not. The House just held a hearing on UAPs, or the “unidentified anomalous phenomena” (UFOs are so 1990s) that some people in D.C. have seen in the sky. [Washingtonian]
Despite the 70 degree days we've been enjoying this November, we could still be in for a cold one this winter. [The Washington Post]
There's a lot of reasons to cry in public these days. This TikTok community is finding the best D.C. locales for a good sob. [The Washington Post]
Even more ANC election confusion: What happens if a candidate withdraws, but still receives more votes? [Hill Rag]
Your civics download
You’ll find this handy guide to public meetings at the bottom of every edition of The 51st. We’ll refine and improve along the way! So if you think we’re missing resources or you have trouble making sense of something we’ve included, please reply to this email with your suggestions or questions.
On Friday, November 15 the D.C. Council’s Committee on Housing will hold a public hearing on legislation that would make permanent earlier emergency changes to D.C.’s emergency rental assistance program. The changes ended pandemic-era policies that allowed people to self-attest their qualifications for the program, and required judges to stay evictions while a family had a pending ERAP application. Local activist groups say the legislation will harm low-income families and are encouraging residents to contact councilmembers or sign up to testify at the hearing.
That's everything we've got for you this week. There are a few big reporting projects from us in the pipeline, so make sure you check your inbox every Thursday. And consider becoming a member; the only reason we can do what we do is because of all of you.
With your help, we pursue stories that hold leaders to account, demystify opaque city and civic processes, and celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make us proud to call D.C. home. Put simply, our mission is to make it easier — and more fun — to live in the District. Our members help keep local news free and independent for all:
