Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

May 25, 2023

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.

NOTE: An original was not available for verification of the content of this message.

Categories: Bill Signings and Vetoes : Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, legislation disapproving District of Columbia Council action in approving, veto message.

Subjects: Community policing programs, improvement efforts; Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, legislation disapproving District of Columbia Council action in approving; District of Columbia, police reform legislation; Law enforcement, use-of- force policy improvement; Policing best practices, improvement efforts.

DCPD Number: DCPD202300467.

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