House Republicans restore election integrity and police protections in DC, striking down measures that allowed non-citizens to vote and weakened law enforcement capabilities in the nation’s capital.
Key Takeaways
- The House voted 266-148 to repeal DC’s 2022 law that allowed noncitizens to vote in local elections
- A second bill passed 235-178 to restore liability protections for police officers that DC had previously stripped away
- The repeals were enacted through Congress’s authority under the DC Home Rule Act of 1973, which maintains federal oversight of the district
- Republicans prioritized election integrity and law enforcement protection while Democrats criticized the action as undermining DC’s self-governance
- A $1.1 billion DC budget shortfall remains unaddressed despite President Trump’s calls for immediate action
Republicans Defend Citizen-Only Voting Rights
In a decisive victory for election integrity, House Republicans successfully repealed a Washington, DC law that had permitted noncitizens, including illegal immigrants, to vote in local elections. The measure passed with substantial bipartisan support in a 266-148 vote, demonstrating widespread concern about diluting American citizens’ voting power. The legislation, introduced by Representative August Pfluger (R-Texas), specifically targets DC’s 2022 Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act, which Republicans argued undermined fundamental principles of American democracy.
“Free and fair elections are a prerequisite for a healthy republic. The radical DC Council’s decision to allow noncitizens—including illegal aliens and foreign agents—to vote in local elections dilutes the voting power of the citizen voter,” said Rep. August Pfluger. “Anyone who voted against this legislation voted for the transfer of political power away from legal voters. With the House passage of my legislation today, we are one step closer to restoring the sanctity of the voting process to ensure that only American citizens are voting in our nation’s capital.”
Restoring Police Protections
A second critical bill, the “Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act,” passed the House with a 235-178 vote. This legislation, championed by Representative Andrew Garbarino, reversed DC’s earlier decision to limit liability protections for law enforcement officers. The bill restores police officers’ ability to negotiate disciplinary matters through collective bargaining and reinstates a statute of limitations for claims against police, provisions that had been eliminated by DC’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
“The Metropolitan Police Department is facing a public safety crisis brought on by reckless policies that have stripped officers of basic protections and left the force dangerously understaffed. This legislation helps right that wrong by giving MPD the tools and support they need to recruit, retain, and protect. Congress has a duty to ensure our nation’s capital is safe,” said Rep. Andrew Garbarino.
The DC Police Union strongly supported the measure, which they view as essential to maintaining proper staffing and morale in the department. The bill addresses growing concerns about rising crime rates in Washington and the difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified officers under the city’s previous restrictive policies.
Congressional Authority vs. Local Governance
The Republican-led intervention has reignited debate over the limits of DC’s self-governance under the Home Rule Act of 1973. While the act allows DC to elect its own mayor and council, Congress retains ultimate authority over the district’s legislation. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC’s non-voting delegate, has been vocal in her opposition to what she characterizes as congressional overreach into local affairs, pointing to a pattern of Republican challenges to DC policies.
“Last Congress, Republicans introduced 14 bills or amendments to prohibit noncitizens from voting in D.C. or to repeal, nullify or prohibit the carrying out of D.C.’s law that permits noncitizens to vote,” said Norton. “This bill was introduced three days after House Republicans passed a continuing resolution that cut D.C.’s local budget by one billion dollars. That act of fiscal sabotage, which did not save the federal government any money, has led to a freeze on overtime, hiring and pay raises, and furloughs or layoffs may be next.”
Budget Crisis Remains Unaddressed
Despite President Trump’s call for immediate action, House Republicans have yet to address the $1.1 billion budget shortfall affecting the District of Columbia. This fiscal crisis stems from a stopgap spending bill passed in March that inadvertently cut DC’s funding. The situation has forced the district to implement hiring freezes, restrict overtime, and delay pay raises, with potential furloughs and layoffs looming if the budget issue remains unresolved.
“We’ve got a lot on our plate,” said Speaker Mike Johnson, explaining the delay in addressing the budget shortfall.
Some lawmakers have suggested that a resolution to the budget crisis is not forthcoming in the immediate future. “Nobody’s talking about it anymore,” noted Representative Andy Harris, indicating a shift in congressional priorities away from DC’s fiscal concerns. Meanwhile, a third bill awaiting a vote would further restrict DC’s autonomy by preventing the implementation of sanctuary city policies and requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
