FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DC Republican Party Statement on the Affirmative U.S. Senate Vote on the Congressional Disapproval Resolution of the DC Revised Criminal Code Act
Washington, DC – (March 8, 2023)
WASHINGTON -Following a solidly bipartisan vote in the United States Senate supporting the already House-approved DC Council Revised Criminal Code Act, the DC Republican Party (DC GOP) issued the following statement:
Patrick Mara, Chairman of the DC GOP, noted, “The DC Republican Party has a history of advocating for DC Home Rule in the U.S. Congress. Many of us have been active for decades defending the rights of District residents. Since 2009, I have been active in supporting those advocacy efforts as a DC Republican and as an elected former member of the DC State Board of Education. This time the DC Council has gone too far. The Revised Criminal Code Act recklessly placed District residents in harm’s way. The greater good – protecting lives – usurps Home Rule or any other political ideology. Had the DC Council listened to residents instead of radical “progressive” dark money special interest groups, District residents would not be forced to choose between their own safety and the autonomy we all seek. Had the DC Council respected the Mayor’s veto instead of thumbing their noses, we could be having a discussion about amending the criminal code, not starting from scratch.”
Mara continued, “The DC Council chose a path that put us on a collision course with Congress and the President. The DC Council alone owns this mess. Thank you to Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) for standing up for the safety of nearly 700,000 District residents and thousands of visitors and commuters.”
He concluded, “The concerns of District residents, including the Mayor, the United States Attorney, and the Chief of Police, were heard loud and clear. Thank you to those who were not afraid to stand up and go against the powerful progressive special interests in the District. While there are many to thank, I specifically want to express my gratitude for the advocacy efforts of the DC Police Union and former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner K. Denise Rucker Krepp. Let’s hope the DC Council learned its lesson on listening to DC residents and prioritizing policies and initiatives that matter.”
The Disapproval Resolution now goes to Democrat President Joe Biden, who already said he would sign the pro-public safety measure. It is anticipated that U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will hold an official Enrollment Ceremony on Friday following the last vote in the House of Representatives.
For further information, please contact Nicole M. McClure, Executive Director of the DC Republican Committee, at nicole@dcgop.com
The DC Republican Committee is composed of registered Republicans living throughout the District of Columbia in all eight wards nominated and elected to serve as members.
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