Council of the District of Columbia

Committee of the Whole

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

 

TO:                      Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

                

FROM:               Phil Mendelson, Chairman

                                                           

DATE:                January 13, 2021

 

 

I am calling an additional legislative meeting for this Friday at noon to consider 2 emergency measures at the request of the Mayor.  Both critically relate to next week’s Presidential inauguration and related security concerns.  This notice pertains to one of those emergency measures.

 

The following measures are placed on the agenda for the January 15, 2021 Legislative Meeting, at the request of the Mayor, pursuant to Council Rule 424(a)(2):

 

▪        January 2021 Public Emergency Extension Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2021

▪        January 2021 Public Emergency Extension Authorization Emergency Amendment Act of 2021

 

               The purpose of this emergency act is to extend the Mayor’s authority to authorize a public emergency related to election and inaugural activities.  On January 6, 2021 a large group of insurrectionists stormed and breached the United States Capitol – an unprecedented attack on our democratic government that was at the time fulfilling its Constitutionally mandated responsibilities.  The insurrection resulted in the loss of life, including those of sworn law enforcement officers. 

 

               In partial response, on January 6, 2021 Mayor Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2021-003 extending the declaration of a public emergency made earlier in the day for an additional 15 days to January 21, 2021.  The executive is in reasonable apprehension that persons who disbelieve the results of the November 2020 election may return to the District as early as this weekend and continuing through the inaugural activities necessitating emergency preparedness and response. 

              

               Without Council authorization, the state of emergency can not be extended beyond January 21, 2021 despite the potential for additional large-scale and/or violent events, that may present a threat to the safety of our residents and visitors.  The range of authorities that would otherwise expire without this proposed extension are outlined in the Mayor’s Order, attached.

 

These emergency measures extend the Mayor’s authority an additional 15 days to February 6, 2021.  The draft measures are attached.  Please call me or Mr. Evan Cash if you have any questions at (202) 724-7002. 

 

cc:          All Councilmembers

               Council Officers

 

 

Evan Cash

Committee and Legislative Director

Committee of the Whole

Chairman Phil Mendelson

 

John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Suite 410

Washington, DC 20004

Tel: (202) 724-7002

http://www.chairmanmendelson.com/cow

 

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