President Joe Biden signed a law overturning a District of Columbia crime bill that opponents have called weak on crime. The bill was subject to a congressional review based on the city’s status as a federal district.
The bill introduced a series of penal code changes to the District of Columbia that reexamined century-old criminal statutes. The new codes eliminated most mandatory minimum sentences and reduced mandatory maximum penalties.
Biden’s rejection of the law divided Democrats in the House and Senate. Progressives fought for Washington, D.C.’s sovereignty while moderates sought a more tough-on-crime approach. Republicans universally stood in opposition to the bill’s passage.
“I support D.C. Statehood and home-rule — but I don’t support some of the changes D.C. Council put forward over the Mayor’s objections — such as lowering penalties for carjackings,” Biden said in a tweet, siding with moderate Democrats. “If the Senate votes to overturn what D.C. Council did — I’ll sign it.”
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Progressives pointed out that the bill has been largely misunderstood since its inception.
“It lowers the carjacking maximum to 24 years, but that’s IN LINE with many states,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) wrote on Twitter. “And the bill INCREASES sentences for attempted murder, attempted sexual assault, misdemeanor sexual abuse and many other crimes.”
Meanwhile, Republicans embraced Biden’s rejection of the D.C. law.
“I am glad President Biden has finally acknowledged that we have a violent crime problem in our nation’s capital and that Congress has a vital role in ensuring that the D.C. Council’s soft-on-crime measure does not become law,” Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee) said in a statement.
A new ad about Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been released by Vice President Kamala Harris'…
https://youtu.be/inbJpo6D4BQ Jennifer Lopez, campaigning with Kamala Harris on Oct. 31 in Nevada, said Donald Trump’s…
Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn declared that the "gates of hell" would be unleashed if former…
https://youtu.be/JQCdk-71tG0 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris met with the woman who was the first in…
https://youtu.be/xc72fdqkaVc Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to put “country above party and above self” as…
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has reportedly been placed on a list of potential attorney general candidates…