(MENAFN) The Senate is set to vote on a resolution expressing disapproval of the District of Columbia's criminal code overhaul plan, even though the chairman of the DC Council, Phil Mendelson, announced that he had withdrawn the legislation in question. The move by Mendelson comes after the Senate's plan to vote on the resolution and President Biden's announcement that he would sign it if it passes, which would invalidate the law. The chairman withdrew the legislation to enable local officials to work on it in light of congressional comments. He informed the Senate in a letter that he was pulling the legislation, just as he would transmit bills for their review, and that it was no longer properly before Congress.
However, a Senate leadership aide disagreed with Mendelson's view and said that the vote was still expected to occur. The aide referenced the Home Rule Act of 1973, which delegates some congressional powers to the district government and requires the council chairman to transmit to the House speaker and president of the Senate a copy of each bill approved by the council. The Senate's plan to vote on the resolution comes after the Republican-controlled House passed it with support from 31 Democrats, and it is expected to garner bipartisan support from the Senate.
The proposal from the DC Council reduces the maximum sentences for some offenses such as carjackings and robberies and eliminates most mandatory minimum sentences. Although it gained the backing of members of the council, it was met with resistance from the chief of the Metropolitan Police Department and top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia, and it was vetoed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. However, the council overrode the mayor's veto, clearing the way for the changes to take effect in 2025.
Mendelson stated that the criminal code overhaul plan was hitting headwinds due to the politics of next year's election rather than its substance. GOP Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, who introduced the Senate measure, criticized the attempt by the DC Council to preempt the vote to block the changes to the district's criminal laws. He denounced the legislation as disastrous and dangerous and argued that it would make residents and visitors less safe.
In conclusion, despite the withdrawal of the legislation by the chairman of the DC Council, the Senate plans to vote on a resolution disapproving of the DC criminal code overhaul plan, which could invalidate the law if passed. While the chairman withdrew the legislation to enable local officials to work on it, a Senate leadership aide disagrees with his view, citing the Home Rule Act of 1973. The proposal has garnered support from members of the council but faced resistance from the chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, the top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia, and the mayor, who vetoed it.
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