[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 90 (Friday, May 26, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2645-H2646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DISAPPROVING THE ACTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COUNCIL IN 
 APPROVING THE COMPREHENSIVE POLICING AND JUSTICE REFORM AMENDMENT ACT 
OF 2022--VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (H. DOC. 
                              NO. 118-45)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following veto 
message from the President of the United States:

To the House of Representatives:
  I am returning herewith without my approval H.J. Res. 42, a 
resolution that would disapprove the action of the District of Columbia 
Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform 
Amendment Act of 2022.
  I believe we have an obligation to make sure that all our people are 
safe and that public safety depends on public trust. It is a core 
policy of my Administration to provide law enforcement with the 
resources they need for effective, accountable community policing.
  While I do not support every provision of the Comprehensive Policing 
and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, this resolution from 
congressional Republicans would overturn commonsense police reforms 
such as: banning chokeholds; setting important restrictions on use of 
force and deadly force; improving access to body-worn camera 
recordings; and requiring officer training on de-escalation and use of 
force.
  The Congress should respect the District of Columbia's right to pass 
measures that improve public safety and public trust. I continue to 
call on the Congress to pass commonsense police reform legislation.
  Therefore, I am vetoing this resolution.
                                                 Joseph R. Biden, Jr.  
                                         The White House, May 25, 2023.

[[Page H2646]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The objections of the President will be 
spreadat large upon the Journal, and the veto message and the joint 
resolution will be printed as a House document.
  Without objection, further consideration of the veto message and the 
joint resolution, H.J. Res. 42, is postponed until the legislative day 
of June 13, 2023.
  There was no objection.

                          ____________________