The bill that was passed on May 15 is facing opposition from Washington officials and the White House, who argue that it infringes on the district’s autonomy. The bill, known as the D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe (D.C. CRIMES) Act of 2024, prohibits the District of Columbia authorities from changing penalties for criminal offenses. It passed with a vote of 225-181, with all Republicans and 18 Democrats in favor.
Congress has jurisdictional control over the District of Columbia, which allows them to block measures passed by the D.C. Council within 60 days of passage. Both the District of Columbia government and the White House are against the bill, claiming that it hinders the district’s autonomy, despite having Home Rule, which grants the district semi-independence.
One provision of the legislation, introduced by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), limits the status of youth offenders to those aged 18 or younger, as opposed to the current maximum age of 24. Additionally, the bill requires the attorney general in the District of Columbia to create a publicly accessible website with data on juvenile crime in the district.
In a statement on May 14, the Biden administration criticized the bill, calling it a violation of the district’s right to self-governance and stating that it would impede public safety and crime reduction efforts. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Brian Schwalb also expressed opposition to the bill, claiming that it would prevent the district government from addressing crime trends effectively.
Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.’s delegate to the House, condemned the bill as “radical, undemocratic, and paternalistic.” The bill comes as the nation’s capital has seen a decrease in overall crime this year compared to the previous year, with violent crime dropping by 26 percent. However, there has been a 2 percent increase in non-auto thefts.
In March, the D.C. Council passed the Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024, which included measures to prevent crime such as establishing a new category of felony offense for organized retail theft and expanding the legal definition of carjacking. The bill also includes provisions to raise penalties for firearm-related offenses and redefine prohibited chokeholds.
Last year, Congress blocked a measure by the city council that would have reduced mandatory minimums for certain crimes and allowed juries to decide misdemeanor cases in the nation’s capital. Can you please rewrite this sentence?
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