DC leaders seek statehood, defend criminal code against Congressional Republicans – WTOP News

Earlier than passing a controversial crime invoice, D.C.’s council members and prison justice specialists labored for 16 years to craft it. Now, it’s getting pushback from Congressional Republicans, who might block it.

D.C. leaders level to their involvement as but one more reason why town deserves statehood.

The District’s council overrode a mayoral veto and handed the Revised Felony Code earlier this yr. D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton stated it’s now the topic of dialog in Congress.

“There’s been some disagreement, not a lot, however some disagreement on this new prison code,” Holmes Norton famous throughout a information convention on a brand new statehood invoice.

Amongst these in opposition to D.C.’s prison code is Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, who stated in a press release the council “needs to go even simpler on criminals which can flip D.C.’s crime disaster right into a disaster.”

Comer’s workplace didn’t present specifics as to what he opposes within the invoice.

“That is one other instance of why D.C. statehood is so necessary, as a result of it’s merely fallacious to have members of Congress attempting to veto and impose their will on the individuals of the District of Columbia,” stated Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen.

Van Hollen is supporting the statehood invoice being reintroduced by Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware.

Carper and a gaggle of Senate Democrats are backing the Washington, D.C. Admissions Act to make sure town’s 700,000 residents have full illustration.

Because the final Vietnam veteran serving in Congress, Carper stated he takes exception to the 14,000 D.C. residents who’re actively serving the U.S. within the navy with no vote.

“Greater than 14,000 D.C. residents are at the moment serving within the navy right this moment and might be despatched into battle in a battle about which that they had no say in preventing,” Carper stated.

Final yr, laws for D.C. statehood acquired a full vote within the Home, however failed to maneuver ahead. With a divided legislature, Holmes Norton acknowledged it is going to be exhausting to push what she calls “vital” laws ahead.

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