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House Republicans Advance Bills to Alter D.C. Crime Laws

September 18, 2025

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed two controversial bills impacting Washington, D.C.'s local governance: one eliminating the District's Judicial Nomination Commission and transferring judge nomination power directly to the president, and another expanding police discretion for vehicle pursuits beyond the current limitation of violent felony cases only. Both measures passed primarily along party lines, with Republicans arguing the changes are necessary to fill judicial vacancies and improve law enforcement effectiveness, while Democrats warned about potential dangers and defended D.C.'s home rule. These bills join two other recently passed GOP-backed crime measures targeting D.C., collectively representing one of the most significant congressional interventions in the District's governance in years, though their fate in the Senate remains uncertain.

Who is affected

  • Washington, D.C. residents
  • D.C. police officers
  • Potential suspects in police pursuits
  • Bystanders during police chases
  • Candidates for D.C. superior and appellate courts
  • The District's Judicial Nomination Commission
  • The president (who would gain direct nomination power)

What action is being taken

  • The U.S. House of Representatives is approving measures to override D.C.'s local authority
  • Republicans are pushing to dismantle the District's Judicial Nomination Commission
  • The House is passing legislation to loosen restrictions on police vehicle pursuits
  • Democrats from the region are warning about potential dangers of these changes
  • D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is opposing both measures

Why it matters

  • The bills represent significant congressional intervention in D.C.'s local governance
  • The judicial bill would end a five-decade system for recommending court candidates
  • The police pursuit bill could increase risks to officers, suspects, and bystanders
  • These measures, along with two other recently passed GOP crime bills, constitute one of the most sweeping interventions in D.C. governance in years
  • The legislation challenges D.C.'s home rule and local autonomy

What's next

  • Whether the Senate will act on these bills is uncertain
  • Rep. Ivey suggested that some of the bills are likely to stall in the Senate
  • If enacted, the president would gain direct power to nominate judges for Senate confirmation
  • If passed, D.C. police officers would have expanded discretion to engage in vehicle pursuits

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer