Introduction of the District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act, which would give the District of Columbia exclusive authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes. Currently, the president exercises the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes, though rarely do so. D.C. residents deserve a say in whether their fellow residents deserve mercy. Last Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill as part of the District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act of 2022 (H.R. 8861).

While D.C. law appears to give the mayor authority to grant clemency (D.C. Code 1-301.76), under current practice, clemency petitions for D.C. crimes, like federal crimes, are submitted to the Department of Justice for the president's consideration.

This bill would remove all doubt that D.C., and not the president, has the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes. D.C. should have full control over its local criminal justice system, the most basic responsibility of local government, like the states and territories have over their criminal justice systems. Since the D.C. Council has the authority to enact local laws, D.C. officials are in the best position to grant clemency for D.C. crimes. This bill would give D.C. the discretion to establish its own clemency system.

This bill is an important step in establishing additional autonomy for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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