DC Withdraws Controversial Crime Bill After Biden Says He’d Kill It

Washington, D.C.’s city council chair announced Monday that the city would rescind a controversial revision to Washington’s criminal code. reduce penalties For offenses such as illegal gun possession or carjacking. After President Joe Biden stated that if Congress passes a resolution to repeal D.C. legislation, he would sign it.

“Our position is the bill is not before Congress any longer,” Phil Mendelson, chairman of the council (D.). Phil Mendelson (D.), chairman of the council, stated that the council would review the criminal code reform to determine if there are any changes needed.

In January, when the reform was passed by council members, it caused controversy. reduce Although the maximum penalty for a violent felon who is caught with an illegal firearm ranges from 15 years to 4, D.C.’s recent history has seen a number of murders, carjackings, and other crimes.

The legislative process that governs D.C.’s Council requires that legislation be submitted to Congress for approval before it is allowed to go into effect. The Republican-controlled House voted In February, the law was overturned. After several Democratic senators seemed likely to vote against it, Biden took office on Thursday said He would also sign a legislative resolution to end the D.C. legislation.

“I don’t support some of the changes D.C. Council put forward over the Mayor’s objections—such as lowering penalties for carjackings,” Biden said. “If the Senate votes to overturn what D.C. Council did—I’ll sign it.”

Punchbowl News was told by a Senate aide that despite Mendelson withdrawing his bill, it is expected that the Senate will still vote on this reform next week. A Senate aide stated that “the statute [does] not allow for a withdrawal of a transmission,” The Senate will then vote on the resolution of the House to repeal the bill.

Charles Allen (D.), a Council Member, was an innovator in the reform of criminal codes. called Biden announces “an absolute travesty for statehood.”

D.C. was the one to push for criminal reform after the city’s crime has been on the rise over recent years. 2021 Homicides reached 226, which is more than double what the city was facing in 2012 with 88 murders. The city has also seen high-profile crimes that have led to calls for tougher police enforcement—a candidate for city council had his car stolen A doctor was taken into custody at gunpoint murdered In March 2022, a carjacker attacked an NFL rookie who ran back for the Commanders. shot August 2005, gunman and attempted carjacker. killed A Metro worker last month.

Allen participated in the November debate on the legislation. rebuffed Criticians who claimed that the council should increase penalties due to the increased crime claim that he did not see evidence of a reduction in crime.

“I hear you saying we need to raise penalties to meet this moment, to send a message. But I ask you to show your work,” Allen said. “At some point, this council needs to reckon with what it means to have one of the highest incarceration rates per capita in the free world and yet endure this kind of violence.”