House Republicans have seized control over DC’s local laws, striking down noncitizen voting and reinstating police protections while ignoring the district’s $1.1 billion budget crisis.
Key Takeaways
- House Republicans used the DC Home Rule Act to overturn two DC laws, one allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections and another limiting police liability protections
- The GOP has not addressed a $1.1 billion budget shortfall affecting the district despite President Trump’s urging to fix it “immediately”
- Rep. August Pfluger’s bill to repeal noncitizen voting passed 266-148, while Rep. Andrew Garbarino’s police protection bill passed 235-178
- A third bill is pending that would prevent DC from enacting sanctuary city policies and require cooperation with federal immigration authorities
- DC officials, including Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, condemn these actions as federal overreach into local governance
Federal Power Over DC’s Self-Governance
The House of Representatives has exercised its authority under the DC Home Rule Act of 1973 to repeal two laws passed by the Washington, DC city council. The first repeal targets the 2022 Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act, which allowed noncitizens, including illegal immigrants, to vote in local elections. The second reverses limitations on police liability protections that DC officials had implemented as part of police reform efforts. These actions demonstrate the continuing federal control over DC’s governance despite the district having limited self-rule.
The Home Rule Act, while granting DC the right to elect its own mayor and council, explicitly reserves Congress’s power to overturn local legislation. This arrangement has long been a source of tension between district officials who seek greater autonomy and federal lawmakers who maintain that oversight of the nation’s capital is constitutionally mandated. With Republicans now controlling the House, they’ve wasted no time in asserting this authority to align DC policies with conservative priorities on voting rights and law enforcement.
Protection of Citizen Voting Rights
The bill to overturn DC’s noncitizen voting law, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), passed with a vote of 266 to 148. Pfluger and fellow Republicans argued that allowing noncitizens to vote undermines the sanctity of elections and dilutes the voting power of American citizens. The legislation specifically targets a DC law that would have permitted an estimated 50,000 noncitizens to participate in local elections, including for mayor and city council.
“Free and fair elections are a prerequisite for a healthy republic. The radical DC Council’s decision to allow noncitizens—including illegal aliens and foreign agents—to vote in local elections dilutes the voting power of the citizen voter,” said Rep. August Pfluger, Representative from Texas.
Proponents of the repeal emphasized that voting is a privilege of citizenship and that extending this right to noncitizens weakens electoral integrity. They also highlighted security concerns, suggesting that allowing foreign nationals to vote could potentially open the door to undue influence from other countries, particularly in the nation’s capital where sensitive government operations are conducted. The bipartisan support for the repeal indicated broader concerns about noncitizen voting beyond party lines.
Restoring Police Protections
The second bill, titled the “Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act,” passed with a 235-178 vote. Introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), the legislation restores police officers’ ability to negotiate disciplinary matters through collective bargaining and reinstates a statute of limitations for claims against officers. These protections had been removed as part of DC’s police reform measures following the national protests in 2020, which Republicans argued contributed to a staffing crisis in the Metropolitan Police Department.
“The Metropolitan Police Department is facing a public safety crisis brought on by reckless policies that have stripped officers of basic protections and left the force dangerously understaffed. This legislation helps right that wrong by giving MPD the tools and support they need to recruit, retain, and protect. Congress has a duty to ensure our nation’s capital is safe,” said Rep. Andrew Garbarino, Representative from New York.
The DC Police Union strongly supported this legislation, arguing that the city council’s removal of these protections had hampered recruitment and retention, leading to dangerous staffing shortages. Crime rates in DC have risen in recent years, with homicides and carjackings seeing particularly troubling increases. Republicans contend that restoring these protections is essential for public safety in the nation’s capital, where millions of tourists visit annually and federal government operations must be secured.
Neglecting DC’s Budget Crisis
While actively intervening in DC’s local laws regarding voting and policing, House Republicans have yet to address a critical $1.1 billion budget shortfall affecting the district. This shortfall resulted from a stopgap spending bill passed in March, which inadvertently cut DC’s budget. The financial crisis has already forced the district to implement hiring freezes and halt overtime pay for essential workers, with potential furloughs and service cuts looming if not addressed soon.
“We’ve got a lot on our plate,” said Speaker Mike Johnson, House Speaker, explaining the delay in addressing DC’s budget crisis while prioritizing the repeal of local laws.
President Trump had previously urged Congress to fix the budget issue “immediately,” but Republican lawmakers have shown little urgency in resolving the matter. Representative Andy Harris, a Republican from Maryland, acknowledged the fading attention to the crisis, stating, “Nobody’s talking about it anymore.” This selective approach to federal oversight—actively imposing policy changes while ignoring fiscal responsibilities—has fueled criticism from DC officials who see it as politically motivated interference rather than responsible governance.
Further Federal Intervention Pending
A third bill awaiting consideration would further restrict DC’s autonomy by preventing the district from enacting sanctuary city policies and requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This legislation, HR 2056, would prohibit DC officials from limiting information sharing about individuals’ immigration status with federal agencies. The bill aligns with broader Republican immigration enforcement priorities and would effectively dismantle DC’s current sanctuary protections.
Interestingly, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has herself proposed overturning aspects of the district’s sanctuary policies in her 2026 budget proposal, acknowledging the challenges the city faces with the influx of migrants. However, local officials maintain that these decisions should be made by elected DC representatives rather than imposed by Congress. The pending immigration enforcement bill represents yet another chapter in the ongoing tension between federal authority and local autonomy in the nation’s capital.
