Last month, I introduced a resolution to strike down the D.C. City Council’s Revised Criminal Code Act (RCCA), a dangerous bill that would eliminate minimum sentences and reduce maximum penalties for numerous violent criminal offenses. This misguided measure would undoubtedly embolden criminals and exacerbate the ongoing crime crisis plaguing our nation’s capital city. Every American deserves to feel safe in D.C., which is why I decided to lead the fight to prevent the City Council’s radical rewrite of Washington D.C.’s criminal code from taking effect. 

While even Washington’s Democrat Mayor publicly voiced her opposition to the RCCA, many questioned and doubted my intentions — largely dismissing my resolution as a partisan measure. Yet combating crime is not a partisan issue; it's a commonsense one. 

We proved this when my resolution, H.J.Res. 26, came to the House floor. It passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 250 to 173, garnering 31 House Democrat votes. After we passed this hurdle, liberal media pundits continued to scoff at my effort — arguing my resolution would be dead on arrival in the Senate. 

Folks, they were wrong yet again.

Last week, my resolution passed the Senate with a significant bipartisan margin, 81 to 14. The final vote count included the support of 31 Senate Democrats, with even liberal Senate Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) voting to back my commonsense crime-fighting resolution. Notably, Georgia’s Democrat Senators were split on the measure. Senator Ossoff ultimately supported H.J.Res. 26, while Senator Warnock abstained from the vote by voting “present.” I spoke to Senator Warnock about his decision on the Senate floor during the vote, as I was greatly disappointed that he did not have the fortitude to vote either yes or no on my resolution.

Undoubtedly, many Senators changed their tune after President Biden flip-flopped on the issue. Despite previously claiming he would veto my resolution, Biden recently signaled he would sign my legislation if it passed the Senate. It’s now time for the President to keep his promise so we can ensure all Americans can safely enjoy Washington, D.C.

Against all odds, we prevailed. Our victory marks a tremendous win for the American people, as Congress has effectively exercised its constitutional authority over Washington to forcefully reject the D.C. Council’s soft-on-crime law. In House Republicans’ Commitment to America, we promised to deliver a nation that is safe — and we’re starting in our nation’s capital.  

But our work isn’t done.

Last week, I introduced another resolution, H.J.Res. 42, to block the D.C. City Council’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2022. As the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) grapples with the District’s ongoing crime crisis amidst a historic staff shortage, the D.C. Council’s deeply flawed bill will prevent officers from effectively protecting and serving Americans in Washington. From gutting due process to destroying collective bargaining rights, this anti-police legislation will inevitably jeopardize the Metropolitan Police Department’s ongoing efforts to recruit and retain officers. Now that Congress has used its constitutional authority to strike down the D.C. Council’s dangerous Revised Criminal Code Act, we must also move to swiftly block this anti-police measure to restore the strength of the MPD, which maintains law and order in our nation’s capital city.

Over the weekend, the financial industry faced the largest bank failures since the 2008 financial crisis. On Friday, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) announced regulators closed Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and took control of its deposits. Just two days after the collapse of SVB, regulators also closed New York-based Signature Bank. In an effort to shore up confidence in the banking system, the Treasury Department, FDIC, and Federal Reserve announced steps intended to protect customers and prevent additional bank closures. Under the plan, depositors at both SVB and Signature Bank — including those with holdings exceeding the $250,000 insurance limit — will have access to their money on Monday.

President Biden broke his silence on the matter on Monday, where he delivered brief remarks but declined to answer legitimate questions about the future implications of the bank collapses. He vowed “no losses will be borne by the taxpayers,” insisting the money will instead come from fees that banks pay into the deposit insurance fund. Yet while the President urged Americans to feel confident in the banking system due to the federal government’s response, many are still concerned about the ripple effects these bank closures will have on the industry. In fact, trading was halted for multiple U.S. bank stocks when the market opened Monday morning. 

American taxpayers, who are already suffering due to President Biden’s failed economic policies and runaway spending, should not be left to foot the bill in order to mitigate the fallout. Please know that I will continue monitoring the serious situation as it moves forward, and I will resolutely refuse to support a massive taxpayer-funded bailout.