ANC 1E Unanimously Adopts Howard Resolution Opposing D.C. Council’s Secret-Meetings Bill

The measure calls on the Council to keep government discussions open to the public.

WASHINGTON — At its May 28 public meeting, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E (ANC 1E) voted unanimously to adopt a resolution authored by Commissioner Brad Howard opposing the D.C. Council’s “Open Meetings Clarification Amendment Act of 2025” — legislation widely criticized for allowing more government discussions to take place outside public view.

Howard, who represents Park View’s 1E01 district, said the bill would weaken long-standing expectations that residents should be able to observe how decisions are shaped at the highest levels of District government.

“Opening government to the public is one of the most basic principles we have,” said Howard. “This bill moves the city in the wrong direction. Residents deserve to know how decisions are made, not find out after the fact. I’m proud our commission stood together to make that clear.”

The legislation, advanced by the Council earlier this spring, narrows which gatherings are required to remain open to the public — a shift that good-government advocates warn could allow key discussions and briefings to occur without residents ever knowing they happened. Howard previously submitted written testimony to the Council outlining the risks of reducing public access.

The resolution adopted by ANC 1E urges the Council to withdraw the bill and reaffirm the District’s commitment to open, observable government. Commissioners argued that scaling back public access would erode trust at a time when transparency is already in question citywide.

The measure designates Howard to represent the Commission on all matters related to the resolution.

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