A local governing body approved a resolution supporting a bill that protects out-of-state patients traveling to the District to receive abortions and approved the extension of liquor licenses at four businesses in Foggy Bottom during their monthly meeting last Thursday.
The Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission voted with no objections to extend liquor licenses at four Foggy Bottom businesses. Commissioners also voted to support a pair of D.C. Council bills aiming to protect abortion access to D.C. residents and people in surrounding states.
Here are a few of the meeting’s highlights:
Officials vote to protect abortion
Commissioners voted to approve a resolution supporting The Human Rights Sanctuary Amendment Act of 2022, which was introduced last week by D.C. Council member Brianne Nadeau, who represents Ward 1, and the Enhancing Reproductive Health Protections Amendment of 2022, sponsored by Council member-at-large Christina Henderson in March. The two bills would protect the right to an abortion for people from outside of D.C., as well as protect them from potential lawsuits or penalties because of their seeking an abortion.
Commissioner Trupti Patel said the resolution was created in response to the Supreme Court’s leaked majority opinion opposing Roe v. Wade, and said commissioners wanted to weigh in on the matter immediately given the “sense of urgency” around the subject. Patel said the Foggy Bottom and West End ANC was the fourth neighborhood commission to vote on the resolution last week. The resolution passed with one abstention.
“This basically signals to the D.C. Council and to the mayor that we intend for D.C. to be a sanctuary city for anyone who wishes to have an abortion to have one here in the city without fear of retaliation,” Patel said.
Nadeau’s bill would prevent the District from helping potential investigations that attempt to prosecute out-of-state patients receiving abortions in the city and protect patients from lawsuits by other citizens. Nadeau said last week that the legislation aims to protect the District against bills like those proposed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last May, allowing citizens to sue others involved in terminative care.
Council member Henderson introduced her bill in late March which would protect D.C. citizens under law who assist others in seeking or inducing abortions and dispense or possess products used for self-managed abortions.
“The use of the medication is already protected under DC law,” Henderson said in a release. “However, the law remains unclear for family, friends, or health professionals assisting an individual with the process. This legislation would expressly protect those who support or assist individuals in need of such care.”
Commissioners approve liquor licenses
Commissioners voted to approve the renewal of 23 liquor licenses within the ANC, including for four businesses on or near campus. The ANC unanimously voted to approve requests for liquor licenses from Yours Truly Hotel, the State Plaza Hotel, Duke’s Grocery and Whole Foods.
