Council of the District of Columbia

Council of the District of Columbia
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
Chairman	Phil Mendelson (D) since June 13, 2012
Structure
Seats	13
Political groups	Majority   Democratic (11) Minority   Independent (2)
Authority	District of Columbia Home Rule Act
Elections
Last election	November 8, 2022
Next election	November 5, 2024
Meeting place
John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Website
dccouncil.gov

Politics of District of Columbia
The District of Columbia is a unique federal district of the U.S.
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The Council of the District of Columbia (or simply D.C. Council) is the legislative branch of the government of the District of Columbia. As permitted in the United States Constitution, the district is not part of any U.S. state and is overseen directly by the federal government.

Since 1975, the United States Congress has devolved to the Council certain powers that are typically exercised by city councils elsewhere in the country, as well as many powers normally held by state legislatures. However, the Constitution vests Congress with ultimate authority over the federal district, and therefore all acts of the council are subject to congressional review. They may be overturned by Congress and the president. Congress also has the power to legislate for the district and even revoke the home rule charter altogether.

The council meets in the John A. Wilson Building in downtown Washington, D.C.