The U.S. House of Representatives has approved two controversial measures targeting Washington, D.C.’s local authority over judicial appointments and police pursuits, intensifying a Republican push to override the city’s home rule.
One bill dismantles the District’s Judicial Nomination Commission, a panel in place for five decades that recommends candidates for the city’s superior and appellate courts. If enacted, the president would gain direct power to nominate judges for Senate confirmation.
Supporters contend the change is needed to fill longstanding vacancies. Opponents argue the real problem lies with the Senate’s slow pace in approving nominees.
The vote split along party lines, 218-211.
The second measure loosens restrictions on police vehicle pursuits. Current D.C. law allows officers to chase only in cases of violent felonies. Under the new legislation, officers would have expanded discretion to engage in chases.
Louisiana Republican Rep. Clay Higgins, a former law enforcement officer, said, “We’re restoring the discretion of the professional law enforcement officer to make a decision in a fraction of a second or two, based upon his policies and his training.”
The bill passed 245-182, with 29 Democrats crossing party lines.
Democrats from the region warned of the dangers.
Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey, a former Prince George’s County prosecutor, recounted a high-speed Beltway pursuit that ended in tragedy.
“The car jumped over, hit the top of the car coming in the opposite direction and killed two men on their way to a concert,” Ivey stated.
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) also opposed both measures, stressing that police pursuits pose risks to officers, suspects, and bystanders, and that the Judicial Nomination Commission has safeguarded the District’s courts for half a century.
Republicans countered that the changes are overdue. Texas Rep. Pete Sessions, who sponsored the judicial bill, said the commission “does not work” and “inappropriately limits the president’s authority.”
Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett went further, declaring, “If the Senate had any guts they would pass it. The people around here deserve better. Washington, D.C., is the creation of Congress. We need to do better.”
The House has already passed two other GOP-backed crime bills this week, including measures targeting juvenile offenders. Collectively, they represent one of the most sweeping congressional interventions in D.C. governance in years.
Whether the Senate will act is uncertain. Rep. Ivey suggested that some of the bills are likely to stall in the upper chamber.
“I think there is a good chance some of these bills get stopped in the Senate,” he said.
These bills seem like a dangerous overreach by Republicans, undermining D.C.s self-governance and potentially ignoring the real needs of the city. Its frustrating to see local control being dismantled for political gain.SunPerp Dex