House votes to overturn DC law softening penalties for murder, carjackings
Cami Mondeaux
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The House on Thursday passed a resolution seeking to overturn an overhaul of D.C.’s century-old criminal code that softens the punishment for homicide, robberies, and carjackings.
The resolution disapproving of the city’s criminal code overhaul passed in a 250-173 vote, with 31 Democrats joining Republicans. The measure now heads to the Senate, where it’s unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled chamber.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS SEEK TO BLOCK DC CRIMINAL CODE OVERHAUL
Republicans introduced the measure shortly after taking control for the House last month, seeking to assert control over the already limited self-government currently permitted in Washington, D.C. Although the city council can pass local legislation, all laws are subject to congressional approval because Washington is not a state.
The D.C. Council overwhelmingly approved a bill last year that would implement a massive overhaul of the city’s criminal code, completing a project district lawmakers have been working on for 16 years. The law is not set to take place for three years, giving law enforcement and court officials time to prepare.
The rewritten legislation sought to clarify and redefine penalties for criminal offenses, with several lawmakers arguing severe punishments often do not deter crime. The rewrite included provisions that would eliminate most mandatory minimum sentences, establish jury trials for nearly all misdemeanor cases, and reduce the maximum penalties for crimes such as carjackings or robberies.
Several House Republicans denounced the bill, arguing it amounted to “insanity.”
“The D.C. Council’s bizarre and dangerous effort to reduce penalties for numerous violent criminal offenses will undoubtedly embolden criminals and make our nation’s capital less safe — threatening the safety of both residents and visitors,” Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) told the Washington Examiner in a statement.
Local lawmakers pushed back against criticisms, with all 13 D.C. Council members signing a letter to House leaders that objected to attempts to overturn local legislation.
“The District of Columbia has the right to self-govern as granted to us under the Home Rule Act,” the lawmakers wrote, referencing the federal law that grants the district control over its own affairs. “Any changes or amendments to the District’s local laws should be done by the elected representatives of the District of Columbia. … Just as Congress does not interfere with the local matters of other states, we compel you not to interfere in our matters.”
Attorney General Brian Schwalb also weighed in, arguing Republicans’ push to overturn the criminal code is not based on public safety concerns but is instead a veiled attempt to strip the district of its local autonomy.
As the city’s attorney general, Schwalb is tasked with enforcing district laws and implementing the newly updated criminal code. Schwalb lamented that congressional Republicans pushed for a vote to overturn the city’s law without consulting with local officials.
“I’d be delighted if Congressman Clyde … or anybody wanted to actually sit down and engage in the debate and the conversation,” Schwalb told the Washington Examiner. “If you were really concerned about getting the code corrected and better, you would have a conversation, you would engage. You wouldn’t be so arrogant to think you know the answer without talking to the people who have been doing the work.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The D.C. Council passed the criminal code overhaul in November, with the bill set to take effect in October 2025. Mayor Muriel Bowser vetoed the bill in early January, arguing some of the bill’s provisions to reduce sentencing “sends the wrong message” as the district grapples with rising crime rates.
Bowser announced proposed amendments to the revised criminal code on Monday, seeking to restore penalties on some crimes that were reduced in the bill’s original language. Those proposals will be presented to the D.C. Council for a vote to amend the criminal code overhaul — making the House’s attempt to overturn the law partially moot.