Pascrell Opposes Bad Faith Republican Meddling in District of Columbia Government

Washington citizens should make their own decisions

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), the longtime co-chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, today voted against H.J. Res. 26, a measure to overturn a criminal law passed by the government of the District of Columbia.

“Our nation’s capital is home to approximately 700,000 Americans,” said Rep. Pascrell. “Like all Americans these citizens are entitled to self-determination. This law was passed by city councilors elected by the people of the District. If Congressmembers can meddle in the affairs of the District at our individual whims, it will be nothing but a Frankenstein’s laboratory for dangerous rightwing policies.

“Personally, I think this law is misguided and unwise and the city council should work expeditiously with the mayor to revise the law. But my own opinion should never substitute for the will of the voters of the District. Indeed, Republicans’ motivations here have nothing to do with improving the lives of Washingtonians and today’s measure is nothing more than a cynical attempt to further discredit and disenfranchise the District’s taxpaying citizens. For this reason, I continue to strongly support statehood for the District of Columbia. Its citizens deserve to make their own decisions, good and bad, over their lives, their families, and their livelihoods.”

In the 117th Congress, Rep. Pascrell was an original cosponsor and voted in favor of H.R. 51, legislation to make the District of Columbia a state. Rep. Pascrell is an original cosponsor of this bill in the 118th Congress.

On January 19, 2023, Pascrell penned an op-ed in the USA Today Network hammering Republicans’ new anti-police subcommittee created to undermine the January 6 investigation and smear law enforcement.  This followed a Pascrell op-ed in the NY Daily News on September 3, 2020 calling out Donald Trump and Republicans for their abysmal record on support for police funding, including several efforts to defund our federal policing programs.

Last Congress, Pascrell led two bills signed into law to fund, train, and support our men and women in uniform. Pascrell’s Protecting America’s First Responders Act was signed into law by President Biden on November 8, 2021. The legislation significantly improved federal death and disability benefits for first responders and their families. Pascrell’s Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Law Enforcement Training Act was signed into law by President Biden on August 17, 2022. The new law authorized $270 million over five years to reauthorize the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program and funds a new police training program to help law enforcement better recognize and respond to people suffering from TBI or PTSD.