The DC Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs team continues to be very busy advocating on behalf of our DC Chamber members. Highlights of our advocacy include:
B24-0558 “Stop Discrimination by Algorithms Act of 2021”
The “Stop Discrimination by Algorithms Act of 2021”, seeks to prohibit users of algorithmic decision-making in a discriminatory manner and would require corresponding notices to individuals whose personal information is used in certain algorithms to determine employment, housing, healthcare and financial lending. Introduced by the Attorney General, this proposed legislation has garnered broad interest from the DC business community. The Committee on Government Operations and Facilities, chaired by Councilmember Robert White, has scheduled a public hearing for September 22, 2022, at noon. In July 2022, the Chamber convened a broad working group consisting of both local and national business and industry leaders to coalesce around defeating this harmful bill. On a weekly basis, the Chamber-led working group meets to discuss updates related to the bill and to prepare for the September 22, 2022 hearing.
For more information on the Stop Discrimination by Algorithms Act of 2021, please click here. If this bill applies to you, we encourage you to join the fight to defeat this bill.
Response to Washington Post Article
The DC Chamber of Commerce recently issued a statement refuting Councilmember Silverman’s comments in a Washington Post Article on the state of DC Businesses. To review the statement, please click here.
Election Updates
The Democratic Primary was held on June 21, 2022. Here were the results:
Mayor- Muriel Bowser
Attorney General- Brian Schwalb
Chairman- Phil Mendelson
At-Large Councilmember- Anita Bonds
Ward 1- Breanne Nadeau
Ward 3- Matthew Frumin
Ward 5- Zachary Parker
Ward 6- Charles Allen
The November 8, 2022 General Election will see a re-election bid for current At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman. However, Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, an established champion of DC local businesses, has now entered the At-Large race as an independent leaving three established candidates for two At-Large seats. One of those candidates, Anita Bonds (Democrat), is expected to win one seat in a heavily Democratic city. The other At-Large seat is expected to be “up for grabs” between Silverman and McDuffie.
DC Council Voting Scorecard
The DC Chamber of Commerce recently released its first DC Council Voting Scorecard. To review the press release and the scorecard, please click here.
Council Recess
Council activities will resume on September 15, 2022. During periods of Council recess, no official meetings of the Council are scheduled.
