District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5214, which erodes the self-governance of the District of Columbia.

Mr. Speaker, 2 months ago, I was a local government official not far from here, in Fairfax County. In the 6 years I spent in that role, I learned that the people best positioned to make decisions about the local policies in their local communities are local leaders after listening to that local community.

My colleagues across the aisle who are advocating for these bills, with due respect, know very little about the District of Columbia, know very little outside of perhaps their walk from their apartment in Navy Yard to this Capitol complex. They don't know the history, neighborhoods, communities, and challenges that folks in the District are facing.

While my colleagues espouse the virtues of self-governance, they simultaneously advocate for bills like this that strip self-governance from 700,000 Americans.

In 1973, Congress passed the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to grant the inhabitants of the District powers of local self-government. This bill is just one of many in this House that erodes those powers to help President Trump consolidate power over our Nation's Capital.

Meanwhile, the American people are confronting crisis after crisis that demands action from this Congress. Our national economy is struggling under President Trump's leadership. Tariffs are driving up prices. Looming healthcare cuts are about to result in skyrocketing premiums for Americans across the Nation.

In the midst of this, how does the majority choose to spend its time? It is spending its time by meddling in D.C.'s local affairs and further disenfranchising 700,000 taxpaying Americans.

I strongly oppose this bill and encourage my colleagues to vote ``no.''

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