Norton Reintroduces Her Bill to Give D.C. Authority to Grant Clemency to Offenders Convicted Under Local D.C. Laws

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced the District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act, which would give D.C. exclusive authority, as the states and territories have, to grant clemency to offenders convicted under its local laws.

While D.C. law appears to give the mayor authority to grant clemency, under current practice, clemency petitions for D.C. crimes, like federal crimes, are submitted to the Department of Justice for the president’s consideration. The District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act would give D.C. the discretion to establish its own clemency system. Last Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill as part of the District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act.

“While we are defending D.C. home rule and fighting for statehood, I will continue to introduce bills to give D.C. the privileges of statehood,” Norton said. “The D.C. Clemency Home Rule Act would give D.C. the authority to grant clemency to offenders convicted under D.C. laws, exactly as the states and territories have under their laws. This bill is an important step in establishing additional autonomy for D.C.”

###