Congressman Pat Harrigan Votes to Restore Public Safety in Washington, D.C.

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted to pass H.R. 4922, the D.C. CRIMES Act, legislation to reassert congressional authority over the District's criminal code and end the D.C. Council's soft-on-crime policies.

"Washington, D.C. has become a case study in what happens when ideology replaces responsibility," said Congressman Harrigan. "The city council raised the definition of 'youth' to 24 years old, handed out lighter sentences, and weakened accountability for violent crime. The result has been more carjackings, more robberies, and more innocent people put at risk. Congress cannot look the other way while the capital of the United States is allowed to spiral into lawlessness. This bill restores order, strengthens sentencing, and puts public safety at the top of the priority list."

The D.C. CRIMES Act eliminates the D.C. government's authority to alter sentencing laws, lowers the maximum age of a youth offender from 24 years to 18 years, and removes judicial discretion to reduce sentences below mandatory minimums. The bill also requires the D.C. Attorney General to issue monthly reports on youth crime, including age, sex, race, and type of offense.

This legislation will now advance to the Senate, where Congressman Harrigan is urging swift action to ensure accountability and restore public safety in the nation's capital.