House Democrats have struggled to respond after President Joe Biden signaled he would side with Republicans on stopping a controversial Washington, D.C., crime bill from taking effect.
House Democrats expected Biden to let the crime bill, which would do away with many mandatory sentences, take effect after his previously signaled support for Washington deciding how it handles its own affairs. His stance is being seen by many House Democrats as a massive betrayal.
BIDEN WON'T VETO GOP-LED RESOLUTION OVERRIDING DC CRIME LAW, DEALING BLOW TO DEMOCRATS
“So a lot of us who are allies voted no in order to support what the White House wanted. And now we are being hung out to dry,” an anonymous House Democrat told the Hill. “F****** AMATEUR HOUR. HEADS SHOULD ROLL OVER AT THE WHITE HOUSE OVER THIS.”
The lawmaker added, “The White House f***** this up royally.”
Other lawmakers used somewhat more diplomatic language to express their disapproval.
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“It’s disappointing for me and anybody who believes in home rule, honestly. I’m a former mayor of a city of 70,000, and I wouldn’t want the federal government coming in and telling me what city ordinances to pass. … So I think it’s disappointing in that context,” Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), the No. 3 House Democrat, said.
Biden's decision to signal his support for the bill repealing the D.C. criminal code all but ensures it will pass, as enough centrist Democrats have come forth in the House and Senate in favor of the bill.