Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act of 2025

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I stand tonight to strongly oppose this bill, which repeals commonsense criminal justice reforms that were passed by D.C.'s elected representatives in the wake of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Mr. Speaker, we know that cities and communities all over the country passed similar reforms to increase trust, accountability, and safety. In D.C., these measures increased accountability for bad apples with independent civilian oversight, clean disciplinary process, and mandatory reporting for overuse of force incidents.

It prohibited the hiring of officers with prior misconduct, and it prohibited choke holds. They improved training for officers. The Mayor, the D.C. City Council, and the community all worked together to pass a series of reforms and laws, work they were proud of. They empower the chief of police to lead the police department and do it the right way.

This bill repeals all of that. It would damage the trust between D.C. police and the communities they protect and serve.

We know communities are safer when residents feel safe calling on 911 and when they feel safe working with the police. We know policies like de-escalation, expanding body-worn cameras, and improving safety should not move backwards.

This bill is opposed by D.C. residents. It is opposed by the Mayor of D.C. It is opposed by the D.C. City Council, and it is opposed by D.C.'s Member of Congress. This is part of my Republican colleagues' continued obsession with acting as a super city council for the District of Columbia.

Mr. Speaker, D.C., again, has more residents than two States. D.C. taxpayers pay Federal taxes. D.C., as a whole, contributes more Federal taxes than 26 other States. D.C.'s government should be allowed to govern themselves, to hold local leaders accountable, to elect their own leadership, and to solve problems without Congress consistently interfering.

We should always continue to support D.C. and their ability to govern themselves. Congress should focus on national issues and let the residents of D.C. and their local representatives govern the District.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. GARCIA of California. Norton).

Again, I strongly oppose this bill. As a reminder, it would eliminate commonsense criminal justice reforms that have been widely implemented by State and local governments across the country.

Local officials here in D.C. passed these laws. The voters made these decisions, and D.C. should have a right to govern itself.

This bill undermines trust between police and the community they serve and makes us all less safe.

It is undemocratic. It could very well make D.C. not just less safe but also lose trust between its elected government and the people. When the people come together and pass laws, Congress should not overturn those.

Mr. Speaker, again, I urge opposition, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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