The Sentencing Project Condemns Passage of House Resolution to Block DC Criminal Code Reform, Urges Senate to Vote Against Resolution

Today, the House of Representatives passed a resolution of disapproval (H.J. Res. 26) to block the District of Columbia’s Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 (RCCA), comprehensive criminal justice reform legislation. The D.C. Council voted unanimously late last year to pass the RCCA, which 83% of Washington, DC voters support, but some in Congress seek to overturn the local initiative. Numerous civil rights, criminal justice reform, and democracy organizations urged representatives to oppose the resolution and the White House also issued a statement of opposition.

Liz Komar, Sentencing Reform Counsel at the The Sentencing Project, issued the following statement in response to today’s vote:

“Opponents of the District’s right to self-governance spread misinformation about the Revised Criminal Code Act in a bad faith attempt to silence the will of District voters and defeat sound criminal justice policy. Today’s vote is the disappointing product of their effort. Democratic leadership and the Biden Administration, however, have recognized the importance of empowering Washingtonians to determine their own laws. The Sentencing Project will continue to fight for the RCCA in the Senate and we’re hopeful that Senators will see the truth: the RCCA is a balanced and long-overdue bill designed to bring the District in line with sentencing best practices. The Senate must block this politically-motivated attack on democracy and we urge the White House to commit to vetoing H.J. Res. 26.”

______________

About The Sentencing Project

The Sentencing Project promotes effective and humane responses to crime that minimize imprisonment and criminalization of youth and adults by promoting racial, ethnic, economic, and gender justice. You can find our media guidance on crime coverage here.