House GOP Passes 2 More Bills
House Republicans have taken bold action to crack down on rising crime and restore accountability in the nation’s capital, passing four powerful bills this week to strengthen public safety and put violent offenders behind bars.
Trump Gains Authority to Appoint Judges in D.C.
On Wednesday, the House approved the District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act in a close 218-211 vote.
This historic bill gives President Donald Trump direct authority to appoint judges to D.C.’s court system, ending the control of the city’s Judicial Nomination Commission — a body many Republicans have criticized for prioritizing politics over justice, leading to dangerous delays and backlogged cases.
“As the son of a federal judge, I deeply respect our judicial system and the constitutional process designed to ensure fairness,” said Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), who sponsored the legislation. “For far too long, D.C.’s Judicial Nomination Commission has put politics ahead of public safety. This bill restores accountability and brings integrity back to the courts.”
Empowering Police to Pursue Criminals
The second bill passed Wednesday was the District of Columbia Policing Protection Act, which removes excessive restrictions on high-speed police chases, giving law enforcement the freedom to pursue dangerous suspects without bureaucratic interference.
This legislation passed by a strong 245-182 vote. Republicans emphasized that D.C. police officers must have the tools they need to fight crime effectively.
“You cannot keep a city safe when law enforcement’s hands are tied,” the House Oversight Committee posted shortly after the vote. “We will keep D.C. safe.”
Cracking Down on Juvenile Crime
These measures follow Tuesday’s passage of two tough-on-crime bills that directly address the growing problem of juvenile violence in the District.
The DC CRIMES Act
The D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe Act — known as the DC CRIMES Act — passed by a 240-179 vote.
This landmark bill:
- Prevents local officials from weakening sentencing laws.
- Stops judges from handing down overly lenient sentences to violent youth offenders.
- Requires a public database of juvenile crime statistics, so residents can know exactly what is happening in their communities.
By closing dangerous loopholes, this legislation ensures violent criminals are held accountable and victims receive the justice they deserve.
Trying Violent Offenders as Adults
A second bill, H.R. 5140, passed 225-203, lowers the minimum age for certain violent offenders to be tried as adults from 16 to 14.
Republicans argue this is essential to combat the surge in violent youth crime and ensure that serious offenders face real consequences.
National Guard Extended Through November
To maintain stability, National Guard troops will remain deployed in Washington, D.C., working alongside local police.
Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser signed an executive order to coordinate efforts between federal forces and city law enforcement. The Army has extended National Guard authorization through the end of November.
Why It Matters
These bills represent a major victory for President Trump and conservative lawmakers, who have long warned about the dangers of soft-on-crime policies.
As violent crime continues to threaten residents and businesses, Republicans are sending a clear message: “Public safety comes first — and criminals will face consequences.”
With Trump now poised to appoint fair and tough judges, and with police finally empowered to pursue criminals aggressively, Washington, D.C. may finally see the return of law and order.
