In its latest move to take more control of Washington, D.C., the Republican-led House passed two bills that would overturn portions of the city’s public safety laws.
The House passed the legislation late Wednesday evening. One bill, the Cash Bail Reform Act, would reinstate a cash bail system in D.C. for defendants awaiting trial. The District abolished cash bail back in 1992. President Donald Trump has said he wants a nationwide ban on cashless bail.
Another bill would repeal some police reforms enacted after the death of George Floyd. The new bill would bring back certain neck restraints, change body-worn camera procedures and impact the release of police disciplinary records.
Both bills passed with the support of some Democrats.
“Despite the narrative being presented by Republican sponsors, these bills will actually set back public safety in the Nation’s Capital,” D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson said in a statement.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb have also criticized the bills.
The D.C. police union, however, said it supports the changes.
Both bills will move on to the Senate, where seven Democrats would have to vote in favor of them, along with all Senate Republicans, for them to get to President Donald Trump’s desk.
from Local – NBC4 Washington https://ift.tt/JpOLQ90
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