On Wednesday, the U.S. Congress reportedly approved legislation to thwart the Comprehensive Police and Justice Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2022, which was proposed by the Washington, D.C., City Council.
The House voted it down 229–189. Republicans and 14 Democrats joined together to pass the measure.
The D.C. crime law, which limits police authority in the face of increased crime in the district, is the subject of the legislation.
Since its inception, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has struggled to fill its officer deficit.
The District Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17) grants Congress the power to intervene in municipal affairs in Washington, D.C. Congress also analyzes every D.C. legislation before it is passed into law. Congress has the authority to amend or even nullify D.C. laws and to impose new ones on the district.
The Revised Criminal Code Act (RCCA) was enacted by the D.C. Council in November 2022.
The RCCA lessens punishments for a number of serious crimes, including as murder, robbery, and carjackings.
The bill was rejected by Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on January 4, but the council overrode her veto on January 17 by a 12-1 vote.
The Washington, D.C. City Council’s Improved Criminal Code Act of 2022, which would reduce punishments for a variety of serious crimes, was blocked by a resolution of disapproval voted by the U.S. Senate.
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