Political Quotes

“I support H.R. 4922, a bill providing commonsense reforms to the District of Columbia criminal code. It is clear to Members of the committee and the public that D.C.'s soft-on-crime policies have failed to keep D.C. residents and visitors safe. The DC CRIMES Act overturns targeted portions of the D.C. Council's Youth Rehabilitation Act by amending the definition of a ``youth offender'' from a person under the age of 25 to under the age of 18. Let me emphasize Washington, D.C.'s current law. Currently, D.C. code allows a criminal under the age of 25 to be given the same leniency that is afforded to minors. This bill requires that we treat adult criminals as adults, like the rest of the country. It also removes judicial discretion to sentence youth offenders under the minimum sentencing structures in place. Our Capital cannot continue to let criminals freely roam the streets and expect this crime crisis to end. As juvenile crime soars in the District, the bill also requires the D.C. Attorney General to create a publicly available website that better tracks juvenile crime data. Citizens of D.C. and visitors to our Nation's Capital deserve to feel safe.”