Bills Before Congress That Undermine DC Self-Government
These bills override local decisions, politicize our courts and justice system, and would make DC less democratic and less safe.
| Bill | Sponsor | Status | What it does | Why it’s harmful for DC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H.R. 4922 — DC CRIMES Act | Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) | Received in Senate | Lowers “youth offender” age to 18 and bars judges from sentencing youth below mandatory minimums. | Strips discretion, increases incarceration, disproportionately harms Black youth. |
| H.R. 5140 — DC Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act | Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) | Received in Senate | Allows some 14–15-year-olds to be tried as adults for specified offenses. | Exposes children to adult prisons; undermines evidence-based reforms. |
| H.R. 5143 — Policing Protection Act | Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) | Received in Senate | Reinstates high-speed police pursuits in DC. | Increases risk of crashes and injuries to bystanders. |
| H.R. 5125 — Judicial Nominations Reform Act | Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) | Received in Senate | Eliminates DC’s Judicial Nominating Commission; gives President appointment power. | Removes local voice; politicizes courts. |
| H.R. 5179 — AG Appointment Reform | Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) | Advanced by House Committee | Makes DC’s AG a presidential appointee. | Strips DC voters of the right to elect their AG. |
| H.R. 5183 — Home Rule Improvement Act | Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) | Advanced by House Committee | Expands congressional review and veto powers over DC laws. | Massively curtails home rule and local democracy. |
| H.R. 5103 — Safe and Beautiful Act | Rep. John McGuire (R-VA) | Advanced by House Committee | Creates commission for “beautification” projects. | Pretext to criminalize homelessness. |
| H.R. 5214 — Cash Bail Reform Act | Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) | Advanced by House Committee | Reinstates mandatory cash bail and pretrial detention. | Jails people for poverty; worsens disparities. |
| H.R. 5172 — Strong Sentences Act | Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) | Advanced by House Committee | Raises/creates mandatory minimums for serious crimes. | Removes judicial discretion; increases incarceration. |
| H.R. 5242 — Repeal of IRAA & Second Chance | Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN) | Advanced by House Committee | Repeals DC’s second-chance laws. | Eliminates rehabilitation and reintegration paths. |
| H.R. 5163 — CAMPS Act | Rep. William Timmons (R-SC) | Advanced by House Committee | Criminalizes camping on public property. | Criminalizes homelessness. |
| H.R. 5107 — CLEAN DC Act | Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) | Advanced by House Committee | Rolls back 2022 policing reforms. | Weakens accountability, public trust. |
| H.R. 5181 — SOAR Act Improvements | Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) | Advanced by House Committee | Shifts education funds to vouchers. | Diverts funds from public schools. |
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