{"id":2531977,"date":"2026-01-09T11:43:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T16:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mayor-hopeful-introduces-bill-to-counteract-dcs-growing-rat-infestation\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T11:48:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T16:48:58","slug":"mayor-hopeful-introduces-bill-to-counteract-dcs-growing-rat-infestation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mayor-hopeful-introduces-bill-to-counteract-dcs-growing-rat-infestation\/","title":{"rendered":"Mayor hopeful introduces bill to counteract DC&#8217;s growing rat infestation"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmayor-hopeful-introduces-bill-to-counteract-dcs-growing-rat-infestation%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2531977&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Ward 4 councilwoman and mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George has introduced the Rodent Accountability and Transparency Amendment Act to tackle Washington,D.C.&#8217;s rapidly growing rat problem. The bill would boost oversight of pest control, allow D.C. Health to bill property owners or managers for treatment costs when they fail to address infestations, and create an automatic alert from trash inspections to D.C. health. It would also require a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >public dashboard tracking infestation trends<\/a> by ward and Advisory Neighborhood Commission. City officials cite new construction, milder winters, and improperly stored trash as drivers of the surge; neighborhood complaints in places like Georgetown have highlighted the public-health impact. D.C. Health recommends preventive steps such as securing trash in heavy containers, limiting curbside time for bags, and sealing entry points in buildings. Lewis George, who centers renter advocacy in her mayoral campaign, has emerged as a fundraising front-runner and the bill is awaiting a vote date.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Mayor hopeful introduces bill to counteract DC&rsquo;s growing rat infestation<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2468222\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Ward 4 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/d-c-council\/\">councilwoman<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mayor-elections\/\">mayoral candidate<\/a> Janeese Lewis George is taking aim at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\">Washington, D.C<\/a>.&rsquo;s, booming rodent population with new legislation that would increase oversight of rodent subsiding efforts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Lewis George introduced the Rodent Accountability and Transparency Amendment Act, which aims to boost oversight for pest control and hold landlords to a higher standard when rats become a problem.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4411877\/minnesota-ice-shooting-ignites-debate-federal-officer-immunity\/\">Minnesota ICE shooting ignites debate over federal officer immunity<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4412158\/shapiro-reelection-pennsylvania-governor-gop-challenge\/\">Pennsylvania Republicans dodge another Mastriano run, but can they beat Josh Shapiro?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4393546\/will-new-york-12th-congressional-district-election-choose-israel-supporter\/\">Will this Upper West Side-based House district elect a full-throated Israel supporter?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Washington has the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.ads6782#:~:text=For%20reasons%20related%20to%20the,show%20significant%20trends%20over%20time.\">fastest-growing rodent population<\/a> among 15 major cities, Lewis George said, adding that the spike is a serious threat to public health.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/dchealth.dc.gov\/service\/rat-population-increase-notice\">D.C. Department of Health<\/a> has taken note of the rat problem in district neighborhoods and attributes it to new construction, mild winters over the past decade, and trash not being stored properly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In Georgetown, the rat problem has become a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonian.com\/2024\/06\/13\/call-your-mother-georgetowns-zoning-hearing-got-trashy-literally\/\">central point of contention<\/a> in neighborhood zoning, with residents reporting &ldquo;dead rats, living rats, and overflowing trash bins as daily fixtures.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>During a 2024 zoning hearing for the bagel shop, Call Your Mother, neighbors testified that the shop&rsquo;s popularity has exacerbated local infestations, forcing some to personally dispose of rodent carcasses found on their property.<\/p>\n<p>The bill introduced by Lewis George would give the Department of Health the power to charge property owners and managers for the costs of rodent treatment if they fail to resolve infestations on their own.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This will strengthen our ability to hold property managers accountable,&rdquo; Lewis George told news channel <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wusa9.com\/article\/news\/local\/dc\/dc-council-crack-down-rat-infestations-new-legislation\/65-23424e51-ab24-4b86-ae72-8317a38fd1b7?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_dc&amp;stream=top\">WUSA9<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>She said one reason for the lack of resolve is broken communication between city agencies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Public Works manages trash while the health department handles pest control. The RAT Act would help bridge the gap by automatically alerting D.C. Health to rodent activity found during trash inspections.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the RAT Act would mandate a public data dashboard to track infestation trends by ward and Advisory Neighborhood Commission.<\/p>\n<p>Although the bill is still awaiting a vote date, D.C. Health recommends several preventive measures focused on eliminating food sources and nesting sites.<\/p>\n<p>Key suggestions include storing all household trash and pet food in secure metal or heavy-duty plastic containers and only placing bags outside shortly before scheduled pickups. Homeowners are also encouraged to seal entry points, such as holes in windows or gaps in doorways, with mortar or metal trim.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Lewis George has made renter advocacy the center of her socialist mayoral campaign.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4412447\/philadelphia-district-attorney-warns-ice-agents\/\"><strong>PHILADELPHIA&rsquo;S DISTRICT ATTORNEY WARNS ICE OFFICERS &lsquo;WHO COMMIT CRIMES&rsquo; TO GET &lsquo;THE F OUT&rsquo;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Rent&rsquo;s rising in homes people can&rsquo;t afford,&rdquo; she said in her <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/wjla.com\/news\/local\/janeese-lewis-george-announces-run-for-dc-mayor-ward-4-councilmember-democratic-party-social-media-post-born-raised-washington-nations-capital-district-howard-university-assistant-attorney-general\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-newest-political-crush-is-privileged-harvard-grad-who-pointed-gun-at-unarmed-black-man\/\" title=\"Democ...\u2019 Newest Political Crush Is \u2018Privileged\u2019 Harvard Grad Who Pointed Gun at Unarmed Black Man\">campaign announcement video<\/a><\/a>. &ldquo;Folks working hard and still feeling the squeeze, while the few in power rake in profits. And now our neighbors, our families, under attack because we are failing to stand up to defend them.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The 37-year-old hopeful has been named a front-runner in the D.C. mayoral race. Just four hours after announcing her run, Lewis George qualified for the Fair Elections public financing program, raising $700,000.<\/p>\n<p>Lewis George is leading the race due to her prolific fundraising and progressive appeal to young voters after Mayor Muriel Bowser&rsquo;s tenure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Previous <em>Washington Examiner <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3914740\/janeese-lewis-george-breaks-dc-campaign-filing-system-massive-fundraising-haul\/\">reporting<\/a> shows Lewis George raising $188,591 from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/national-guard-could-stay-in-d-c-at-least-through-fall-2021-report\/\" title=\"National Guard Could Stay In D.C. \u2018At Least Through Fall 2021\u2019: Report\">district residents<\/a> in the first 10 days.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Lewis is set to receive nearly $1 million through the District&rsquo;s matching program, augmenting $30,000 in outside donations and an $80,000 grant. She attributes her fundraising strength to her grassroots movement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mayoral candidate proposes rat control oversight<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2531978,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP18290626608230.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[50501,4762,38609,32068,23860],"class_list":["post-2531977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-dc-2","tag-legislation","tag-mayoral-candidate","tag-public-health","tag-rats"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP18290626608230.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2531977"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531977\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2531981,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531977\/revisions\/2531981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2531978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2531977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2531977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2531977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}