Senate overwhelmingly votes to overturn DC crime bill after Biden drops opposition

The Senate overwhelmingly voted TA newly adopted ordinance to overhaul Washington’s centuries-old criminal code was overturned. This is the first time Congress has done so in more than 30 years. repealed a local law The D.C. Council passed the bill.

With one Senator voting, Wednesday’s vote in the Senate was 81-14 “present,” The legislation would have weakened penalties for crime such as carjacking and homicide, so it was struck down. In the end, 14 Democrats voted for it with Republicans.

After the House approved it in February, the resolution is now headed to President Joe Biden. Last week, the president declared that he would not veto He supported the GOP-led bill, despite initially being opposed.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS BLAST BIDEN FOR DC CRIME BILL ABOUT-FACE

It marks the conclusion of the GOP’s weeks-long campaign to restore public safety. This measure was also condemned by Congress as an effort to win political points before a critical election cycle.

Tensions grew after Biden, who announced last week that he wouldn’t stand in the path of the measure becoming law was a major upset for local lawmakers and Democrats who voted against the bill in the lower chamber.

The bill was supported by Sen. Joe Manchin (D–WV), who almost guaranteed it passage in the Senate. Democrats temporarily lost their majority due to the absence of Senators. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). Numerous top Senate Democrats declared that, following Biden’s announcement they would vote for the repeal of the updated criminal code.

The District legislators sought to avoid a high-profile, public repudiation in the Senate. This prompted Phil Mendelson, D.C. Council chairman to attempt to withdraw from consideration the bill on Monday. The attempt was thwarted by the Senate leadership who said that they would continue to hold a vote.

A bill was unanimously passed by the Council of the District of Columbia last year