Decision Maker

Council of the District of Columbia

The Council of the District of Columbia is the legislative body for the United States capital, Washington D.C. It consists of thirteen members, each elected from one of the eight wards or four elected at-large, serving four-year terms. The council enacts legislation pertinent to the living standards of more than 700,000 residents, frames policies, approves budgets, and also exercises oversight of agencies, commissions, boards, and offices. Each member is also assigned the responsibility of various committees for the smooth functioning and organization of the council agenda. Despite being the capital's government, the U.S. Congress retains the right to review and overturn laws created by the council.