[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 30, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E503-E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CLEMENCY HOME RULE ACT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 30, 2023

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia 
Clemency Home Rule Act, which would give the District of Columbia 
exclusive authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes. Currently, the 
president exercises the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes, 
though rarely do so. D.C. residents deserve a say in whether their 
fellow residents deserve mercy. Last Congress, the House Committee on 
Oversight and Reform passed this bill as part of the District of 
Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act of 2022 (H.R. 8861).

[[Page E504]]

  While D.C. law appears to give the mayor authority to grant clemency 
(D.C. Code 1-301.76), under current practice, clemency petitions for 
D.C. crimes, like federal crimes, are submitted to the Department of 
Justice for the president's consideration.
  This bill would remove all doubt that D.C., and not the president, 
has the authority to grant clemency for D.C. crimes. D.C. should have 
full control over its local criminal justice system, the most basic 
responsibility of local government, like the states and territories 
have over their criminal justice systems. Since the D.C. Council has 
the authority to enact local laws, D.C. officials are in the best 
position to grant clemency for D.C. crimes. This bill would give D.C. 
the discretion to establish its own clemency system.
  This bill is an important step in establishing additional autonomy 
for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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