Senate Republicans unveiled legislation on Wednesday seeking to repeal DC police reforms outlined in the city council’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
Measures included in the act restrict officers from using neck restraints, improve access to footage obtained from body worn cameras and set stronger standards for individuals applying to join the police force.
GOP lawmakers say the legislation “demoralize officers, worsen D.C.’s law enforcement staffing crisis, and embolden criminals.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) introduced ‘‘Common-Sense Law 5 Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act’’ as a countermeasure to current provisions by ensuring any provision of law amended or repealed by that Act is restored or revived as if that council’s legislation had not been enacted into law.
“For years, the radical liberals on the D.C. Council in Washington have turned their backs on the blue by ushering in new laws and regulations that handicap law enforcement’s ability to do their jobs, spurring rampant, violent crime across our nation’s capital,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said of Cruz’s bill.
“This legislation would repeal one of these harmful laws that unfairly targeted police by restricting their ability to pursue a fleeing target or stop a violent protest so our brave law enforcement officers can once again feel empowered to make D.C. safe for all,” he added.
The policy battle is bubbling over from a longstanding conflict between Washington’s local leaders and the federal government.
The Home Rule Act of 1973 gave city leaders self autonomy and created a working system for both mayors and city council members to govern local functions, an opportunity commonly provided to cities throughout the country.
However, a clause within the legislation has allowed federal leaders to invoke power over local governance in states of emergency.
President Trump made the decision in early August to grant the White House control of Washington. He cited high crime rates, despite police statistics reflecting violent crime at a 30-year low.
“Congress must once again exercise our constitutional authority to repeal the D.C. City Council’s anti-police law that has recklessly put criminals first and our men and women in blue last…,” Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) said.
“Sending the CLEAN DC Act to President Trump’s desk will further bolster his successful efforts to make our nation’s capital safe again for the American people,” he continued.
National Guard soldiers from more than seven states descended on the nation’s capital to help with immigration enforcement, traffic stops and disband homeless encampments.
Local residents have overwhelmingly disapproved of the increased law enforcement presence and have reported multiple cases of aggressive uses of force and the disappearances of neighbors. Much of the federal focus has appeared to be on issues related to immigration enforcement.
“We should not be arresting our unhoused neighbors. What we’re witnessing on our streets is cruel, counterproductive, and unacceptable,” Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (D) said in a statement on X.
“Federal agents should not be patrolling our streets, terrifying our residents, and taking people away. The federal surge needs to end,” she added.
She’s said Trump’s local efforts are about “intimidation” rather than progress.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) has cooperated with federal authorities and on Tuesday signed an order extending a joint partnership with national agencies.
The joint operations on the ground will include the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, U.S. Park Police, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Capitol Police and the U.S. Secret Service.