Statement in Support of Congressional Resolution Disapproving D.C. Council’s Criminal Code Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) released the following statement from Pam Bondi, former Attorney General of Florida, and Matt Whitaker, former Acting Attorney General of the United States, Co-Chairs of the America First Policy Institute’s Center for Law and Justice, issued the following joint statement in support of a bipartisan congressional resolution disapproving the D.C. Council’s Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. The act would have allowed for jury trials for nearly all misdemeanor cases, eliminated most mandatory minimum sentences, and most notably, reduced the maximum penalties for offenses such as robberies, carjackings, and burglaries.

“Rarely will you see both chambers pass a congressional joint resolution in a bipartisan fashion, but disapproving the D.C. Council’s Revised Criminal Code Act is something most members and even the President can agree on,” said Pam Bondi. “Progressive criminal justice reforms such as reducing penalties for violent criminals, eliminating ‘three-strikes’ provisions, and ending nearly all mandatory-minimum sentencing incentivizes lawlessness and puts the public in danger. No one, not even the mayor or seasonal residents in Congress or the White House, wants to feel unsafe in their communities.”

“The D.C. Council passed the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 to reduce penalties and accountability measures for violent criminals even after experiencing an 18-year high in homicides in 2021. The bipartisan congressional joint resolution to disapprove and prevent these progressive criminal justice reforms from being enacted is a commonsense move toward restoring law and order in D.C.,” said Matt Whitaker. “I hope to see more lawmakers lean across the aisle to put an end to the decriminalization movement so that all Americans can live their lives in peace.”