The Leadership Conference Condemns House Passage of H.J. Res. 42, Urges Senate to Uphold Duly Passed D.C. Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rachel Hooper, [email protected]
WASHINGTON — Jesselyn McCurdy, executive vice president of government affairs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement after the House passed H.J. Res 42 to overturn D.C. policing reform legislation:
“We are deeply disappointed that the House has voted to overturn the will of D.C. citizens — American taxpayers who reside in the nation’s capital. This vote to override the District of Columbia’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 has struck a blow to the freedom of the residents of Washington, D.C. — a majority of whom are people of color. D.C. autonomy and D.C. statehood are civil rights and racial justice issues. D.C. residents deserve the same right as any other citizens to address public safety in their own community, and they deserve to determine their laws without congressional interference.
“We are disturbed that members of the House would once again turn to fearmongering about crime and undermine meaningful police reform in the District of Columbia. Full D.C. statehood and respecting home-rule are requirements for us to live in a truly representative democracy. But today, it remains painfully clear that the right to vote is meaningless if the will of D.C. residents can be overturned by a Congress that gives them no say in the matter. The Senate must reject this attempt to roll back duly passed D.C. legislation. And if necessary, President Biden must follow through on his promise to veto this dangerous resolution.”
This week, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights sent a letter signed by more than 50 organizations to House leadership in opposition to H.J. Res. 42.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 230 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.
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