WASHINGTON — Simultaneous attacks on D.C.'s Home Rule Act came within hours of each other on Capitol Hill Tuesday.
On one side of the building, in the Senate, a Kansas Republican called for a vote that would nullify D.C.'s law that allows non-citizens to vote in the District's local elections. On the House side, in a committee hearing, a Texas Republican's bill was pushing for the same thing, to overturn D.C.'s non-citizens voting law that went into effect in 2023.
"The City Council and the Mayor of Washington DC have blown it," said Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS). "They have not taken their responsibility seriously. And that's why we need to usurp that power back. We need to do what the Constitution says."
It's the second time in a week House Republicans have come for D.C.'s Home Rule Act. Last week, the House passed a measure called the DC Crimes Act which would take power away from City Council when it comes to criminal sentencing guidelines.
The D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safer (CRIMES) Act, takes aim at the Youth Rehabilitation Act of 1985. The law allows judges to impose shorter or alternative sentences - like probation or time in a treatment facility - for anyone under 25 years old. It also sets aside convictions if that sentence is completed. The idea is to offer the young person a chance at rehabilitation. The only exception: If that youth offender is charged with murder or sexual abuse. The CRIMES Act would set age 18 as the upper limit for eligibility.
The CRIMES Act, introduced by Florida Republican Byron Donalds, would also permanently prohibit DC Council from passing legislation that changed sentencing laws in the future.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb called it political theater since the measure won't be considered in the Senate.
On Tuesday, the House Rules Committee is teeing up another House vote expected to happen Thursday on D.C.'s controversial non-citizens voting law. It'll likely pass, only to again be dead on arrival in the Senate.
While a lot of political effort is being spent on the non-citizens voting law, According to Democrat Jamie Raskin, of Maryland, there are only 512 non-citizens registered to vote in D.C.'s primary election. That is 1/10th of 1% of registered D.C. voters.
"If it goes to the Senate it will join the other bills and just die so.. I don't have a question.. this is just a waste of time," said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass).
Since D.C. is not a state, Congress has power over the District. The Home Rule Act allows Congress to block any laws passed by the D.C. Council. Since D.C.'s home rule took effect in 1973, Congress has struck down one of the District's laws only four times.
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