Press Releases

WASHINGTON—Today, House Republicans passed two bills—Rep. Elise Stefanik’s H.R. 5214 and Rep. Andrew Clyde’s H.R. 5107—to keep violent criminals off D.C.’s streets and repeal harmful anti-police policies that have limited the ability of officers to protect our nation’s capital.

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) issued the following statement after the passage of the bills:

“With Democrats falling in line behind socialist Mamdani — who has repeatedly called to defund the police — Republicans are doubling down on keeping our communities safe and ensuring law enforcement has the support it needs,” Chairwoman McClain said. “These commonsense bills strengthen officers’ ability to do their jobs and keep violent offenders off our streets to keep America’s capital safe. House Republicans are continuing to build on President Trump’s proven efforts to reduce crime in our nation’s capital.”

Rep. Stefanik's H.R. 5214, the D.C. Cash Bail Reform Act, requires judges to keep violent and dangerous criminals in jail until their trial or sentencing. It also mandates that people charged with other serious crimes must pay cash bail to be released, ensuring they do not pose a threat to the public:

“New Yorkers know that Kathy Hochul’s failed bail reform has unleashed a crime wave across our state by emboldening violent criminals and putting law-abiding New Yorkers in harm’s way. Kathy Hochul's failed bail reform has literally caused murders, assaults, rapes, and heinous crimes to be committed against law-abiding New Yorkers. As the Worst Governor in America Kathy Hochul continues to fuel her crime crisis and wage war on our corrections system by closing more prisons, she has made clear she will always side with criminals over law-abiding New Yorkers. Throughout my time in Congress, I have fought for the safety of New Yorkers and the support of our brave law enforcement. Today I proudly voted to end cashless bail in D.C which Congress has jurisdiction over, and this is a precursor to next month when Congress will pass my bill to end New York's failed bail reform. Kathy Hochul is incapable of making New York safe, so I will come over the top of her and pass this in Congress,” Rep. Stefanik said.

Rep. Clyde's H.R. 5107, the Common-Sense Law Enforcement Act, repeals a dangerous D.C. law that put too many restrictions and burdensome rules on the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. This legislation will allow police officers to do their jobs more effectively without unnecessary legal obstacles:

“For years, the D.C. City Council’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2022 has prevented our men and women in blue from effectively protecting Americans in our nation’s capital, hindered the MPD’s ability to recruit and retain officers, and exacerbated Washington’s crime crisis,” Rep. Clyde said. “I’m incredibly pleased that my commonsense legislation to repeal this anti-police law passed with bipartisan support, and I look forward to a similar outcome in the Senate. By eliminating the D.C. Council’s misguided law, the CLEAN D.C. Act strengthens and codifies President Trump’s successful efforts to restore law and order in Washington. While Joe Biden foolishly vetoed my legislation in 2023, I look forward to advancing the CLEAN D.C. Act to President Trump’s desk for his signature to continue delivering on our shared goal of Making D.C. Safe Again.”