Following is a statement from Susan Corke, executive director of Democracy Defenders Action, regarding the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform markup of legislation on D.C. home rule.

“Today’s markup by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which comes just as President Trump’s 30-day federal takeover of the D.C. police ends, is pure political theater. These bills in no way address real public safety issues. Instead, they advance rhetoric that grossly distorts life in Washington D.C. and undermines the city officials’ right to govern on behalf of the people who elected them.

“If the committee and the White House were serious about reducing crime, they would invest in strategies that work. This means community-based programs, prevention efforts, and policies rooted in evidence. Instead, this package expands pretrial detention, lowers the age for adult prosecution, brings back cash bail, and repeals critical reforms. It is also an authoritarian power grab; it hands the power to appoint D.C.'s Attorney General to the President.

“This overreach is masqueraded as a response to crime, but the people of DC know  this is partisan politics and the tactics of an insecure dictator wanna-be. These bills threaten the foundations of democratic governance in our capital. Congress should roundly reject this effort and respect the right of D.C. residents to live their lives safely, not exploited for political purposes.”

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Democracy Defenders Action brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state and local allies across the country committed to upholding the rule of law, fighting against autocracy and defending the Constitution.