House passes first of 4 bills moving to claw back authority over DC’s crime laws.
WASHINGTON — House lawmakers passed two more bills this week that alter Washington, D.C.’s local laws, focusing on judicial appointments and police pursuits. Republicans behind the effort say these changes will make D.C. safer, while Democrats and D.C. leaders argue it’s an attack on the city’s self-governance, or “home rule.”
Changes to Judicial Appointments
The first bill approved would dismantle D.C.’s Judicial Nominations Commission, which currently recommends candidates for superior and appeals court judges to the president. Under the proposed legislation, the President of the United States would have the direct authority to nominate judges. Republicans argue this change is necessary to address the city’s judge shortage, blaming the local commission for delays. However, D.C. leaders contend the issue is with the U.S. Senate, which they say is slow to confirm presidential appointments. The vote on this bill was strictly along party lines.
Expanding Police Pursuit Authority
The second bill passed would grant D.C. police officers more freedom to engage in vehicular pursuits of suspects. This legislation amends the city’s current law, which restricts pursuits to only the most serious violent crimes.
“(The current DC law) imposes a host of restrictions on police pursuit of criminal suspects,” Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA). “In doing so, the DC council essentially made it illegal for police to pursue and apprehend criminals.”
“Police (pursuits) are inherently dangerous not just for officers and suspects, but for bystanders as well, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). “Often, there are other options to detain a suspect.”
In a notable development, 29 Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the police pursuit bill, showing some bipartisan support for loosening the restrictions.
The bills now face an uncertain future in the Senate.
“I think there is a good chance some of these bills get stopped in the Senate,” Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) said. “I think that we should also not forget the $1.1 billion of the District’s money that the Republicans are withholding.”
“If the Senate had any guts (they would pass it)” Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) said. “The people around here deserve better. Washington, DC, is the creation of Congress. We need to do better.”
This federal intervention is not over. D.C. leaders are scheduled to testify at a House Oversight Committee hearing, a continued part of the ongoing congressional oversight of the city’s affairs.