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The House of Representatives votes to BLOCK DC plans that would have given lower sentences to violent criminals and allowed non-citizens to vote in elections
- House Republicans led two resolutions Thursday that critics say encroach on Washington, DC’s right to self-government regarding local affairs.
- More than two dozen House Democrats voted in favor of both resolutions.
- Crime review resolution passed 250-173, ballot bill passed 260-162
The House of Representatives voted Thursday to pass a resolution disapproving of Washington, DC’s recently revised penal code.
The capital city council’s massive reform includes lowering the maximum penalties for crimes such as robbery and carjacking. It also allows almost all misdemeanor charges the right to a jury trial.
House lawmakers voted to condemn the new rules 250 to 173, with 31 Democrats joining Republicans in approving them.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser had opposed the criminal code review and joined police groups in warning that it could send the wrong message about public safety.
It comes as property crime poses a growing problem for DC officials and police in cities across the country.
The new House Republican majority led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy passed a pair of resolutions Thursday opposing new DC local laws.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser even conceded that the city council’s new criminal code review may go too far.
But Bowser, the DC council and other local officials have historically banded together to oppose congressional meddling in the city’s ability to self-govern, something House Republicans signaled today they are ready to take on.
In addition to the resolution condemning the city’s penal code review, the Republican-led majority also passed a resolution attacking a DC bill intended to allow undocumented immigrants to vote in local elections.
That measure garnered even more Democratic support, with 41 lawmakers from the left voting with nearly all of the House Republicans.
It was approved with 260 votes in favor and 162 against.
“I can only conclude that the Republican leadership believes that DC residents, the majority of whom are black and brown, are unworthy or incapable of governing themselves,” said DC non-voting delegate Eleanor Holmes. Watson, in the House on Thursday.
Rep. Andrew Clyde, who introduced the DC penal code resolution, wrote on Twitter: “We must ensure that all Americans can safely enjoy our nation’s capital city.”
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, who also led the GOP support for the pair of resolutions, accused the DC council of passing “sweeping bills that would encourage criminals to stay on the streets.” streets and allow non-citizens, including illegal immigrants, to vote in local governments. elections.’
“Today, the House took the first step to stop two of the DC Council’s irresponsible and dangerous laws from taking effect,” Comer said.
Police gather at the scene of a subway bus shooting at the corner of 14th and Sheridan St NW in the Brightwood neighborhood of Washington, DC on January 11, 2023
“These misguided efforts would allow crime to proliferate and disenfranchise American citizens in our nation’s capital.”
But local DC officials and advocates of DC statehood have long been against Congress exercising its authority over the nation’s capital, given that federal lawmakers are not bound by or accountable to the residents of the city.
The progressive group DC Vote called the votes an “attempt to undermine the will of our District.”
His spokesperson, Patrice Snow, also criticized impeachment Republicans for doing so “without a single hearing where a DC resident or DC elected official was allowed to speak on the merits of revising the penal code or allowing all residents, regardless of immigration status, participate only in local elections.’
“It is now clearer than ever that the goal is to overthrow what little democracy the 700,000 tax-paying residents currently have,” the spokesperson said.