House Approves Crime Bills Reshaping D.C. Juvenile Justice/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The House passed two Republican-led bills overhauling Washington, D.C.’s juvenile justice system, lowering the youth offender age and imposing tougher sentences. The legislation aligns with President Donald Trump’s crackdown on crime but faces uncertain prospects in the Senate. Critics argue Congress is undermining local governance and targeting minority-led cities.
House Moves on D.C. Justice Quick Looks
- House passes DC Crimes Act and Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act.
- Youth offender age lowered from 24 to 18.
- Sentences must match mandatory minimums for adults.
- 30 Democrats backed first bill; 8 supported second.
- Trump administration seeks dismissal of lawsuit over Guard deployment.
- 23 states back Trump; 22 support D.C. in filings.
- Senate Democrats expected to block the bills.
- Critics say Congress is stripping D.C. of self-rule.
Deep Look
House Approves Sweeping D.C. Crime Bills
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a pair of Republican-backed bills that would significantly alter how Washington, D.C. prosecutes and sentences young offenders. The measures, advanced amid President Donald Trump’s broader law-and-order campaign, reopen longstanding tensions between Congress and the district’s elected officials.
The DC Crimes Act
The first measure, called the DC Crimes Act, passed on a 240–179 vote. Thirty Democrats broke ranks to support it alongside nearly all Republicans.
The bill would:
- Lower the official age of a youth offender in D.C. from 24 to 18.
- Require youth sentences to match the mandatory minimums imposed on adults.
- Compel the D.C. attorney general to publish detailed statistics on juvenile crimes through a public website.
Republicans argue the legislation is necessary to curb what they describe as an alarming rise in youth crime across the capital.
The Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act
The second bill, the Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act, passed more narrowly at 225–203. Eight Democrats supported the measure, while Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was the sole Republican to oppose it.
House Oversight Chair James Comer defended the reforms during floor debate, noting that D.C.’s definition of “juvenile” extends seven years higher than in most U.S. jurisdictions. He emphasized the changes target “serious crimes, including murder.”
Challenge to Home Rule
The votes highlight the ongoing erosion of Washington’s home rule, established in 1973. Although residents elect their own mayor and council, Congress retains constitutional authority over local laws and the district’s budget.
The new bills follow months of federal intervention in the city’s policing. Trump authorized the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops and federal officers to patrol the streets under an emergency order, which has since lapsed. Republicans praised the move, while city officials decried it as an assault on local governance.
Legal Battle Intensifies
The D.C. government has filed suit challenging Trump’s authority to impose the Guard deployment. On Tuesday, the Trump administration urged a federal judge to dismiss the case, citing the mayor’s own acknowledgment that the intervention reduced crime.
The lawsuit has split the states: 23 backed the administration’s position, while 22 filed in support of the district’s autonomy.
Senate Hurdles Ahead
The measures’ future in the Senate is uncertain. Democrats have criticized Trump’s aggressive approach and defended D.C.’s right to self-govern. With the Senate narrowly divided, bipartisan support would be required for passage.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) accused Republicans of hypocrisy: “Trump is constantly attacking what Republicans used to call a small government and deciding to be the biggest government that you can find. It’s truly shameful.” She added that the legislation could serve as a blueprint for federal crackdowns in other minority-led cities.
Criticism From Advocates
Local advocates and legal experts argue Congress is overstepping.
- Darby Hickey, policy counsel at DC Justice Lab, said Congress is “fundamentally against American values” by overriding laws created by elected representatives.
- Misty Thomas Zaleski, of the Council for Court Excellence, criticized a separate Republican plan to abolish D.C.’s bipartisan Judicial Nomination Commission, calling it a “50-year success story.”
- Ankit Jain, D.C.’s shadow senator, warned that Republicans are testing a strategy they could replicate elsewhere: “If this succeeds, they will go after laws in blue cities, uniting their party while dividing Democrats.”
Budget Cuts and Future Bills
The debate also ties into broader funding disputes. Earlier this year, the House slashed $1.1 billion from D.C.’s budget despite its being generated from local taxes. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has called for the funds’ restoration, saying, “It never should have been ripped away.”
The House is expected to take up two additional D.C. criminal justice bills on Wednesday, potentially widening the confrontation over how much control Congress can exert over the district.
A Symbol of Local Autonomy at Risk
For D.C. residents, the legislation represents more than a policy debate — it is a reminder of the fragile nature of their limited self-governance. While Republicans cite constitutional authority, local leaders warn the moves undermine democratic principles.
As the Senate takes up the issue, the stakes extend beyond Washington: the outcome could shape how Congress wields its power over the capital and whether it emboldens similar interventions in other cities nationwide.
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