On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, thirty-three Democrats in the U.S. Senate joined members of the Republican Party in blocking a piece of legislation that has been called the Washington, D.C. Crime Bill. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Sherrod Brown, Joe Manchin and Jon Tester were among the Democrats who voted to block the bill. Meanwhile, Cory Booker, Tammy Duckworth, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren were among those who voted against blocking the bill.
The Washington, D.C. Crime Bill has been a topic of conversation on Capitol Hill for the last week and change. It has been subject to criticism as portions of the bill look to lower the maximum sentence for a violent crime such as armed carjacking from 40 years to 24 years. Supporters of the bill aim to lower the maximum sentence to a punishment that is more in line with other states, but critics of the bill say it positions the city as being soft on crime.
“Carjackings and car thefts have become a daily routine. Homicides are racking up at a rate of four per week,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday.
“This is our capital city. But local politicians have let its streets become a danger and an embarrassment.”
Data from the Metropolitan Police Department indicates that there have been 101 carjackings in Washington, D.C. this year. In comparison, there were 106 carjackings at approximately the same point last year. Of those carjackings, nearly half have reportedly involved juveniles who would undergo a different criminal process in most instances. Overall, violent crimes such as murder, rape and aggravated assault are down slightly this year, but overall crime is up 25%.
While the Washington, D.C. Crime Bill is criticized by some for lessening punishments for crimes like armed carjacking, it does call for stricter punishments for violent crimes like attempted murder. In addition, it called for the right to expand jury trials for misdemeanor offenses.
“The debate over the DC crime law has gone a bit off the rails. It lowers the carjacking maximum to 24 years, but that’s in line with many states. And the bill increases sentences for attempted murder, attempted sexual assault, misdemeanor sexual abuse and many other crimes,” Senator Chris Murphy tweeted.
After years of review, the bill was initially passed by the Washington, D.C. Council unanimously. However, it was vetoed by Washington, D.C. Muriel Bowser, but her veto was ultimately overruled by the council. The District of Columbia is not recognized as a state, so the disputed bill ended up in the hands of the federal government. As the process has gone along, several lawmakers have raised issues with the federal lawmakers issuing decisions for a city.
“We’re disappointed that the Senate voted to repeal DC’s crime bill. Congress doesn’t make legislative decisions for any other city in the United States. There’s no reason why DC should be any different. Residents and elected officials of DC have the right to govern themselves,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
After being blocked by the U.S. Senate, the bill head back to the Washington, D.C. Council. Chairman Phil Mendelson has agreed to rework the bill to garner the approval of those in Congress and the Biden administration.
“I think the White House’s position is to protect the Democrats in Congress, that’s what I think,” Mendelson said.
“This is next year’s campaign, that’s what this is about. It’s about doing videos that say ‘senator so-and-so voted to be soft on crime in the District of Columbia,’ and nobody wants that as message against them.”
