[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E31]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROSECUTOR HOME RULE ACT OF 
                                  2023

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 17, 2023

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the District of Columbia 
Prosecutor Home Rule Act of 2023, which would give D.C. the authority 
to prosecute all crimes committed under its laws. Congress already lets 
D.C. write D.C. criminal laws, and lets D.C. enforce them against some 
violators. Congress should let D.C. enforce them against all violators. 
This bill would effectuate a 2002 advisory referendum, approved by 82 
percent of D.C. voters, to create a local prosecutor's office.
  Currently, the U.S. Attorney for D.C. has the authority to prosecute 
most D.C. crimes committed by adults and some by juveniles, while the 
D.C. Attorney General has the authority to prosecute most D.C. crimes 
committed by juveniles and some by adults. Giving D.C. the authority to 
prosecute all D.C. crimes would not only give D.C. residents a say in 
the enforcement of all their laws, it also would save the federal 
government tens of millions of dollars a year by reducing the number of 
assistant U.S. attorneys in the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C.
  Last Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed 
this bill as part of my District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act of 
2022.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.

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