Opposition Letter Led By Free DC on the Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act of 2025 (H.R. and the District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025 (H.R.
Floor Speech
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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, the House of Representatives debated the Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act of 2025 (H.R. 5107) and the District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025 (H.R. 5214). I include in the Record a letter opposing these bills led by Free DC. Free DC, November 17, 2025.
Dear Representative: There are currently six bills queued up for floor votes in the House attacking the District of Columbia. These bills would severely erode DC's already limited control over its criminal justice system and leave individuals and organizations in DC at the mercy of this administration as they continue implementing an authoritarian agenda. These bills would roll back evidence-based criminal justice reforms passed by the duly elected DC Council, introduce new punitive measures that would harm DC residents, and grant the president even more direct control over DC government. We, the undersigned national organizations, urge you and all House members to be strong allies to DC and oppose all these bills.
We have seen what the Trump administration's interference in local law enforcement has done so far. Communities have been terrorized by federal agents' race-based targeting of residents and National Guard soldiers carrying weapons of war in DC streets.
Trump's appointee for U.S. Attorney for DC, Jeanine Pirro, has repeatedly had frivolous charges rejected by grand and petit juries. Now Trump and his allies in Congress will attempt to remove DC's locally elected Attorney General and appoint a lackey in his place. This would give Trump power over not only DC's juvenile justice system, but also civil prosecution against perceived enemies. These bills would enable the Trump administration to attack any and all entities in DC, from individuals to advocacy organizations to labor unions and more. We therefore call on the House to reject all six bills:
OPPOSE H.R. 5214, the District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Stefanik, that would increase pre- trial detention and require cash bail for a range of alleged offenses. Calendar No 269.
OPPOSE H.R. 5179, the District of Columbia Attorney General Appointment Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Fallon, that would remove DC's elected Attorney General and grant the President sole authority to nominate a replacement. Calendar No. 270.
OPPOSE H.R. 5107/S. 2687, the CLEAN DC Act, introduced by Rep. Clyde and Sen. Cruz, that would repeal the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. Calendar No. 271.
OPPOSE H.R. 5172, the Strong Sentences for Safer D.C. Streets Act, introduced by Rep. Biggs, that would increase or establish mandatory minimum sentences for a number of offenses, and remove the exception for minors. Calendar No. 279.
OPPOSE H.R. 5242/S. 2815, to repeal D.C.'s Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016 and the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022, introduced by Rep. Kustoff and Sen. Cornyn. An amendment was added to this bill in committee that would prohibit automated traffic enforcement in DC and undo the no-right-on-red traffic safety law. Calendar No. 293.
OPPOSE H.R. 5163, the Clean and Managed Public Spaces Act, that would prohibit camping on public property in DC and effectively criminalize homelessness, introduced by Rep. Timmons. Calendar No. 294.
These six bills are only the most imminent threats facing DC in the House. Many more bills and appropriations riders are in the pipeline. In solidarity with the people of the District of Columbia and our national democracy, we, the undersigned, call on you to side with DC and oppose every bill and rider that seeks to prohibit, restrict, or undo DC's laws, and co-sponsor and support all bills that seek to expand DC's local power.
DC needs more local power--not more attacks. The 700,000 people who live in DC deserve the same rights and dignity as the people in your home district. No democracy will be able to function in the United States if the capital city is under military control, cannot pass or enact its own basic laws, and is subject to anti-democratic interference against the will of the people.
Thank you for your attention and swift action on this matter. Sincerely,
Free DC and, American Federation of Teachers, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Black Voters Matter Fund, DC Vote, Friends of the Earth U.S., Greenpeace USA, Indivisible, Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO, More Than Our Crimes, Movement for Black Lives, Movement for Freedom.
National Association of Social Workers, National Education Association, National Women's Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, People For the American Way, People Power United, Public Citizen, Seed the Vote Action, SEIU, Stand Up America, The Workers Circle, Voices for Progress, 50501 Movement.
To learn more about Free DC, the renewed campaign for DC autonomy, visit freedcproject.org. For follow up questions or additional information to inform your votes, contact Free DC's Congress Working Group Co-chairs, Michelle Chappell and Jacqueline Johnson.
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