Dear Ward 5 neighbors,
Earlier this week, Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding the federal government, resulting in an indefinite shutdown. Many federal workers are furloughed, some are facing layoffs, government services are interrupted, and some federally-run museums and parks are closed (including, for example, the U.S. National Arboretum in Ward 5). The Smithsonian announced that its museums and the National Zoo will be able to remain open only until October 11.
So, what does all of this mean for DC? The answer is multi-faceted. On one hand, local government funding is separate and secure, meaning that local government agencies and services are still fully operational. We also received new, encouraging revenue estimates from the Chief Financial Officer this week. On the other hand, as neighbors in the District know, we are uniquely impacted by federal government decisions due to geographical proximity to federal institutions and parks, a significant number of residents in the federal workforce, and a lack of fully self-governing autonomy. Here are some helpful resources for the variety of circumstances neighbors may be navigating during this time:
- Federal Government Shutdown Frequently Asked Questions
- Furloughed workers impacted by the shutdown can file for unemployment insurance benefits through the Department of Employment Services here.
- DC is Open During Federal Shutdown
- The Federal Government Has Shut Down. Here’s What It Means for DC. (The 51st)
Some of the debates in Congress leading to this shutdown are around healthcare and the sweeping changes that have been made to coverage over the past several months. In DC, significant changes to Medicaid are coming, effective January 1, 2026. Some 25,000 residents stand to lose their coverage due to these changes. However, I want to be sure neighbors know about the Healthy DC Plan. This new option will allow residents to retain health insurance coverage, and Medicaid recipients who stand to lose their coverage and are currently with AmeriHealth Caritas DC or MedStar Family Choice will automatically be enrolled. Learn more about this important effort to keep neighbors covered here.
On the Council, our fall legislative session is in full swing. We will meet for a Legislative Meeting next Tuesday, October 7, 2025 (more information available in Neferteria’s Nook), and committees are holding hearings and roundtables on a variety of bills and issues. In the Committee on Youth Affairs, we will hold an Oversight Roundtable on Overcrowding at the Youth Services Center (DC’s juvenile detention center) on October 16 at 2:00 p.m. Links to sign up to testify and/or submit written testimony will be available soon. We also sent information to residents across the city this week to share more about our committee’s work, a list of resources for youth and families, and a call to action for neighbors to join us as we prepare to roll out a policy package next week aimed at fostering youth wellbeing in the District. More to come soon!
