U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, along with several other Republican leaders, has introduced the CLEAN D.C. Act. This bill aims to reverse the District of Columbia Council’s 2022 police reform, which critics argue has restricted officers and contributed to the rise in violent crime in Washington.
The Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 banned proven police tactics, according to Cruz and his cohorts, stripping officers of due process rights and tying law enforcement’s hands when dealing with dangerous criminals on the streets.
Congress tried to block the act in 2023 with bipartisan support, but then-President Joe Biden vetoed the effort, siding with anti-police activists instead of residents and officers.
Violent crime continues to affect the nation’s capital, and with a renewed effort from President Trump to clean up the Capitol, Cruz and his colleagues are pushing to restore order.
“Violent crime has become endemic in Washington DC as a direct result of political and ideological decisions made by Democrats. Those decisions included passing and trying to lock in anti-police measures such as the Orwellian-named Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, which undermined police morale, weakened officer retention, and contributed to a still-ongoing public safety disaster. The CLEAN D.C. Act will reverse that decision, and I call upon my colleagues in Congress to pass it,” stated Crus in a press release.
The CLEAN D.C. Act is backed by GOP senators including Jim Risch (ID), Mike Lee (UT), Tommy Tuberville (AL), John Cornyn (TX), Ted Budd (NC), and Katie Britt (AL).
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) is spearheading companion legislation in the House.
Supporters argue the measure isn’t just about repealing a failed experiment that placed limits on the police; it’s about sending a message to criminals across the country.
“Washington, D.C. is the capital of the free world – instead of being a shining example to metro areas across the globe, it has become a cesspool for criminals and illegals to get away with violent crime,” Tuberville said.
“The D.C. police should have every tool in the toolkit to enforce the law and fight crime. We owe it to them, along with the millions of people who live, work, and visit D.C. every year, to keep this city safe. I’m proud to join this legislation with Senator Cruz to remove red tape that’s preventing our police officers from being able to do their jobs,” he added.
Law enforcement groups agree.
The D.C. Police Union, representing 3,000 officers, has already endorsed the bill, calling the 2022 law a misguided and harmful policy that has endangered police officers and emboldened criminals.