A stock image of a crime scene investigation.
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Most House Democrats voted to uphold DC’s criminal code revisions to support the District’s right to self governance.
Now Republicans are using their votes and President Joe Biden’s position on the legislation against them.
Some Democrats say they wished the White House had done a better job communicating with them.
For some House Democrats, voting to uphold the DC criminal code had nothing to do with their positions on crime.
The issue was the District’s ability to self-govern, said Rep. Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. That’s why he was among 173 Democrats who opposed a GOP-led House measure last month to overturn the District’s controversial crime law revisions.
“The District of Columbia residents and their local leaders should have the ability to make those decisions,” Horsford, of Nevada, told Insider. “Do I agree with 100 percent of their decisions? It’s not mine to say. It’s theirs.”
Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut also told Insider the problem for her was, “Congress intervening and overturning a local vote.”
But now Republicans have weaponized their votes and President Joe Biden’s position on the legislation against them. Only 31 Democrats supported the measure, which passed with 250 votes.
Ahead of expected Senate passage on Wednesday, the House Republicans’ campaign arm released digital ads against Horsford, Hayes and 13 other Democrats, saying they “voted for reduced sentences for violent crimes.” The attack was expected and is likely just the beginning after Biden said last week that he wouldn’t veto the measure.
House Democrats are furious that Biden left them hanging, especially after his administration put out a statement opposing the GOP measure.
“I think that the communication could have been better from down the street at Pennsylvania [Avenue],” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar during a news conference Wednesday. “I’ve said that I was disappointed. That holds true. But our record on public safety is incredibly strong.”
Horsford also said he doesn’t care about the Republican attacks. But when asked about the Senate vote, he said he wished the Democratic-led Senate “would do its job” and prioritize legislation that protects Medicare, Social Security and voting rights.
“It’s amazing how they have time for this issue, but they haven’t made voting rights the issue and the priority that it should be,” Horsford said.
The DC Council overrode a mayoral veto of their controversial revision of DC’s criminal code …read more
Source:: Business Insider