Norton Statement on House Administration Committee Hearing on D.C. Crime

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today’s Committee on House Administration hearing purporting to be about crime in D.C., even though crime across almost all measures has declined significantly, demonstrates that the Republican fixation with meddling in local D.C. affairs is undemocratic, paternalistic, irresponsible and unreflective of reality.

“Crime is falling in D.C. across almost all measurements,” Norton said. “It is ironic that Republicans in Congress, who do not represent D.C., are abusing their undemocratic power over D.C. for a House Administration Committee hearing based on outdated information, in a hearing that serves no legislative purpose. Today’s hearing is a scare tactic and demonstrates the Republican fixation on reducing or eliminating home rule for the District of Columbia.”

Today’s hearing was the fourth hearing on crime in D.C. this Congress. Nine bills this Congress have been marked up or brought directly to the floor by House Republicans to repeal or amend statutes enacted by the duly-elected D.C. Council.

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