WASHINGTON—This week, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted in favor of several critical bills to make Washington, D.C., safe again. These bills examine soft-on-crime policies, the historic surge in juvenile crime, law enforcement’s response to the crime crisis, and general oversight of Washington, D.C.

“The escalating crime crisis in our cities is a big concern for the majority of Americans,” said Rep. Simpson. “Before the Trump administration’s crime crackdown efforts, the statistics of violent crime in Washington, D.C., were startling. Now, violent crime in the city has reached a historic low. Addressing crime and ensuring the safety of the public should not be a partisan issue – every American should feel safe when visiting our nation’s capital. I was proud to support these critical bills on the House floor this week, which will continue to restore safety and law and order in Washington, D.C.”

The Making D.C. Safe Again legislation includes:

• H.R. 4922 – D.C. CRIMES Act. This bill restricts the D.C.’s authority over its criminal sentencing laws and eliminates the D.C. government's ability to change existing criminal liability sentences and reduces the maximum age for youth offenders from 24 to 18.
• H.R. 5143 – D.C. Policing Protection Act. This bill amends the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 to allow vehicular pursuit of a suspect fleeing in a motor vehicle if the officer or supervisor deems it necessary, the most effective means of apprehension, and without unreasonable risk to innocents and bystanders.
• H.R. 5140 – D.C. Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act. This bill lowers the age of eligibility for juveniles to be tried as adults in D.C. for certain violent offenses committed after the date of enactment from 16 to 14 years of age.
• H.R. 5143 – D.C. Judicial Nomination Reform Act. This bill repeals the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission, which currently provides the President with a list of recommended judicial candidates for appointment to the D.C. Courts. By abolishing the Commission, the bill allows the President to nominate D.C. judges directly, subject to Senate confirmation under the standard federal process.