Hearing the Council cover art

Hearing the Council

Hearing the Council

Written by: Council of the District of Columbia
Listen for free

About this listen

 We’re the District’s legislature, responsible for crafting laws. On Twitter, our goal is to engage with residents in an informative and conversational way. If you think you already know all about our councilmembers, or the topics they tackle, then you clearly haven’t listened to our “Hearing the Council” radio show and podcast. Even Wilson Building staffers and journalists get whole new insight into councilmembers from our “getting to know you” episodes, and our deep dives on policy topics give members 30+ minutes to discuss and face questions on a single topic of interest to them. A must-listen for reporters, advocates, and political junkies.All rights reserved Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Brianne Nadeau Talks Potential Human Rights Violations During Federal Surge

    Brianne Nadeau Talks Potential Human Rights Violations During Federal Surge
    Nov 17 2025
    In our most recent Hearing the Council interview, Ward One Councilmember Brianne Nadeau discussed her committee's late October hearing into potential human rights violations during the federal surge of law enforcement into the District in recent months. We discuss the powerful testimony she received from residents, experts, advocates, and ANC Commissioners. Plus, her insights into why no DC government witnesses appeared at the hearing, and her thoughts on how to reconcile differing accounts by the mayor and police chief on whether cooperation with federal immigration enforcement officials is still ongoing.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Getting to Know Wendell Felder

    Getting to Know Wendell Felder
    Nov 14 2025
    In our latest Hearing the Council episode, we get to know Ward 7's Wendell Felder. Elected in November of 2024, and serving since January, we tackle the obligatory biographical deep dive that Hearing the Council always undertakes with our newest Councilmembers. We learn about Councilmember Felder's origins as a fourth generation native Washingtonian, how running footraces in track led to political races for student government, and how initial setbacks in both school and District government informed his later successes. We discuss one key mentor in local government and business, plus how he followed childhood hydrant hijinks with an eventual seat on the DC Water board. And finally, as is traditional in our first interviews with Councilmembers, we have him rank his favorite desserts.
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Janeese Lewis George Talks About Her Local News Funding Act

    Janeese Lewis George Talks About Her Local News Funding Act
    Oct 16 2025
    In our latest Hearing the Council interview, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George discusses her proposed Local News Funding Act. At a time when local news outlets are vanishing but the need for quality local journalism has never been greater, Councilmember Lewis George touts her legislation to square this circle. Her proposal: setting aside 0.1% of the District budget to be distributed by DC voters to accredited local journalism outlets. We analyze the bill and its prospects. Plus, for the fun round, she picks which of her colleagues are best suited to join her for a dance lesson, camping trip, or heated customer service phone call.
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
No reviews yet