The Republican-controlled House is advancing three bills aimed at repealing Washington, D.C. laws related to immigration, voting, and policing, while neglecting a $1 billion budget cut to the city. The House has already passed two bills: the first, which prohibits noncitizens from voting in local elections, garnered bipartisan support with a 266-148 vote; the second, restoring collective bargaining rights for police officers, passed 235-178, with 30 Democrats in favor. A third bill, expected to pass soon, mandates that D.C. comply with federal immigration requests, contrasting with current local policies that limit cooperation without judicial warrants.
These actions highlight Republicans’ attempts to exert authority over the predominantly Democratic D.C., which has been a contentious issue, particularly regarding “home rule”—the local governance authority that Congress can review. Republicans have criticized D.C. lawmakers, asserting that local laws conflict with national standards, while Democrats have pushed for D.C. statehood.
Despite these legislative actions, House leadership has delayed addressing the significant budget cut affecting D.C., with some leaders, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, expressing frustration over the inaction. Bowser called for Congress to restore local fiscal autonomy and stated that the local government is capable of mitigating funding challenges.
Conflicting perspectives emerged among Republicans regarding the funding fix, with some leaders uncertain about its status. Democrats have condemned the GOP’s interference in local governance, particularly in light of the unresolved budget issues.
Republicans argue that immigration remains a pivotal political issue and have actively pursued related legislation, reinforcing their stance that undocumented immigrants should not participate in elections.
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