Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Andrew Clyde (GA-09) and Andrew Garbarino’s (NY-02) joint resolution of disapproval, H.J.Res. 42, passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support by a vote of 229-189. The resolution blocks the D.C. Council’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2022.

 

“For the second time this Congress, the House has effectively exercised its exclusive legislative authority, outlined in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17 of the Constitution, to block another severely misguided bill from the D.C. Council, which puts criminals first and police officers last,” said Clyde. “After losing almost 1,200 officers over the last two years due to the Council’s legislation, the Metropolitan Police Department continues to operate in an officer deficit amidst the District’s chaotic crime crisis. By passing my resolution, this body has firmly rejected the Council's anti-police law, reaffirmed our support of heroic law enforcement officers, and underscored the importance of protecting Americans’ safety in Washington. I thank my colleagues for passing my commonsense resolution with bipartisan support, and I now urge both the Senate and the White House to choose people over politics by joining our effort to improve public safety in our nation’s capital city.”

 

“Democrat politicians in cities like New York and D.C. have continuously fed anti-police sentiment that endangers our officers and make it harder for them to do their jobs,” said Garbarino. “Policies like those in D.C.’s deeply misguided police reform law only empower criminals at the expense of our men and women in blue. I was proud to join with Congressman Clyde to offer this Joint Resolution. With its passage, we send a message that enough is enough – we in the House will not stand by while our law enforcement officers are vilified and handcuffed by pro-criminal/anti-cop legislation.”

 

“D.C. residents deserve better than the reckless policies enacted by Chairman Mendelson, Councilmember Allen, and their misguided colleagues. Their so-called 'reforms' are sabotaging the District and endangering all who live, visit, and work here. Today's action by Congress is a victory for common sense and the hardworking women and men of the Metropolitan Police Department. We want to thank Congressman Clyde and his colleagues for taking up this important issue to protect citizens of the District of Columbia and restore respect for the police officers at MPD,” said D.C. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton.

 

Prior to the vote, Rep. Clyde urged his colleagues to support his resolution:

 

“Public safety is not a partisan issue, but a commonsense one. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my resolution, H.J.Res. 42, so we can take the necessary next step to turn our crime-ridden capital into a safe, free, and prosperous city.”

Watch his full remarks HERE.