Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON—The Senate voted Wednesday to overturn the Revised Criminal Code Act (RCCA) of 2022, legislation passed by the Washington, D.C. City Council that weakens penalties for certain crimes as the nation’s capital experiences a surge in violence, criminal conduct and public safety concerns. U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) voted to approve a Congressional Review Act joint resolution blocking the RCCA from taking effect and delivered a speech on the Senate floor criticizing the dangerous and irresponsible measure.
“There is no justice in downplaying crime. There also can be no pretense of keeping the public safe and upholding law and order when leaders refuse to demand true accountability from those who brazenly break the law,” Boozman said. “Unlike our Democratic colleagues, Republicans won’t make excuses for criminals and we won’t sit back and allow far-left ideology to gut the criminal justice system of its ability to deter and punish unlawful, violent behavior.”
The law would have reduced penalties for many violent criminal offenses including carjackings, robberies and even homicides. It was vetoed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, but was then submitted for Congressional approval pursuant to the D.C. Home Rule Act after the Council overrode the mayor’s veto by a 12-1 vote.
Boozman cosponsored the joint resolution of disapproval in the Senate led by Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN). If a CRA joint resolution of disapproval is approved by a simple majority in both chambers of Congress and signed by the President—or if Congress successfully overrides a presidential veto—the rule is invalidated. The House of Representatives passed the legislation last month despite 173 House Democrats refusing to support overturning this misguided proposal. President Biden has signaled he will sign this resolution.
In his remarks, the senator highlighted the hypocrisy of those who have called for abolishing the Senate’s legislative filibuster in order to ram through party-line votes on incredibly bad policies, including D.C. statehood.
“It seems that, for Democrats, giving the District complete autonomy over its affairs is a useful political talking point, until it isn’t,” Boozman stated.