On the recordApril 19, 2023
I thank Chairman Comer for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that today we are considering my commonsense resolution, H.J. Res. 42, which would block the implementation of the D.C. Council's so-called Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. H.J. Res. 42 is essential to both increase public safety and combat rising crime in our Nation's Capital City. For far too long, Washington, D.C., which is supposed to represent a beacon of freedom, patriotism, and prosperity for all America, has been overrun by violent criminals. As millions of people visit D.C. every year, it is imperative that our Nation's Capital is safe for all residents and visitors. Unfortunately, this simply is not the case. While many local Democrat officials continue to bury their heads in the sand, such as D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, who insists there is ``not a crime crisis in Washington, D.C.,'' the data reveals the inescapable reality of an out-of-control crime wave taking over our city. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, so far this year, there have already been more than 60 homicides, nearly 50 cases of sexual abuse, 2,000 incidents of motor vehicle theft, over 750 robberies, 300 burglaries, and more than 2,200 cases of theft from auto. The list goes on and on. In fact, crime overall is up 25 percent from last year. These dangers are widely known across the District, but especially here on Capitol Hill.…
