Boozman, Hagerty Introduce Resolution to Block DC's Dangerous Crime Bill

U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) led 44 of their colleagues in introducing a resolution of disapproval to block the D.C. Council's dangerous and irresponsible Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 (RCCA) from taking effect. Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-GA-09) introduced the companion resolution of disapproval in the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed this week by a 250-173 vote.

The RCCA would reduce penalties for many violent criminal offenses, including carjackings, robberies and even homicides, amid a surge in violent crime in Washington, D.C. and nationwide. On January 4th, Washington's Democrat Mayor, Muriel Bowser, vetoed the legislation--stating in a letter to Council Chairman Phil Mendelson that the bill "does not make us safer." The D.C. Council ultimately ignored the Mayor's concerns, voting 12-1 to override her veto on January 17th and send the bill to Congress for review pursuant to the D.C. Home Rule Act.

"The safety of D.C. residents and visitors to the nation's capital must always come first. As violent, brazen crime in Washington occurs with increasing frequency, the last thing we should be doing is granting perpetrators leniency and adding more burdens for District law enforcement," Boozman said. "Congress has a constitutional responsibility to ensure the District of Columbia does not become a safe haven for criminals and lawless behavior."

"The American public has had enough of the crime wave that's rolling across our country, including in our nation's capital," said Hagerty. "Congress is tasked with overseeing Washington, D.C.--a federal district where people should be safe to live and work. The District should set a nationwide example by enacting legislation that makes its residents and visitors safer--not less safe. Our resolution makes clear that Congress intends to hold D.C. to this standard."

In December 2022, K. Denise Krepp, a former locally elected D.C. official and Obama administration political appointee, urged Congress to introduce a joint resolution of disapproval to block the RCCA.

"Last year, the D.C. Council wrote a law that enables the early release of convicted rapists from prison. I asked Congress to disapprove the bill because rape is an irreversible crime," said Krepp. "Victims don't get to rewind the clock and they live with the pain every day. I thank Congress for introducing the disapproval resolution and I respectfully ask that all members support it. Rape isn't a partisan issue. It's an act of violence and convicted rapists should be required to serve their full prison sentences."

Original co-sponsors of the resolution of disapproval include Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), James Risch (R-ID), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Todd Young (R-IN).

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

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