Overview

• The first bill passed 225–203, with eight Democrats joining Republicans to approve adult prosecution for certain violent offenses committed by 14- and 15-year-olds in Washington, D.C.
• A second measure would lower the District’s maximum juvenile age from 24 to 18, placing 18-year-olds and older under adult penalties.
• Republicans, led by sponsor Byron Donalds, frame the changes as a response to violence and call for a public crime-statistics portal from the district attorney.
• Democrats, including Robert García, accuse Republicans of exaggerating crime to justify federal control and point to official data showing homicides at three-decade lows.
• The House action follows President Trump’s push to expand federal authority over D.C. policing, threats to declare a national emergency, and plans to promote similar steps in Memphis.