Pelosi suggests White House gave no ‘heads up’ on DC crime bill flip flop

Former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., offered a rare criticism of President Biden on Friday, complaining that he gave Democrats a “head” before announcing the signing of legislation overturning Washington, D.C.’s revised criminal code. up” – which critics have called soft on crime.

“If he was going to do it, I wish he would have told us earlier, because it was a tough vote for members of the House,” Pelosi said at an event at the University of Chicago, where she was asked if she Agree with the President. situation “And it’s a tough vote for members of the Senate. And the mayor of the District of Columbia was also different from the legislators who passed it, so it wasn’t clear.”

Pelosi added, “I’m a big supporter of statehood for the District of Columbia. I voted with the District of Columbia.” “I understand why some people protested. But if the president is going to do this, hey, can you give us a heads up in the House?”

White House grills Biden over flip-flop on DC crime bill after Democratic uproar

Last November, the Washington DC Council voted unanimously to pass the Revised Criminal Code Act, which reduced maximum sentences, eliminated nearly all mandatory minimum sentences and expanded jury trials by those convicted of misdemeanors. Rights included. Critics have said that the law also works Soft on crime, which is a major issue across the country. DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser vetoed the legislation, but city legislators overrode his veto in January, prompting GOP lawmakers to propose a federal resolution to overturn the law.

Biden’s decision to back the Republican-led resolution surprised and angered Democrats, who felt he had betrayed his professed support for D.C. home rule. Many people were confused because in February the White House released a statement of administration policy (SAP) saying the administration “opposes” the resolution rejecting the DC crime bill. After supporting D.C. statehood, the White House policy paper stated, “Congress should respect the autonomy of the District of Columbia to govern its local affairs.”

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President Biden’s decision to support a Republican-led resolution to overturn Washington, DC’s criminal code came as a shock to many Democrats, who believed his administration had opposed the resolution. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

When the resolution was brought to a House vote, 173 Democrats voted against it, over what they considered the administration’s position. Yet after the resolution passed, Biden abruptly reversed his position on Thursday, tweeting: “I support DC statehood and home-rule — but I’m against some of the changes proposed by the DC Council over the mayor’s objections.” I don’t support — like reducing fines. Carjacking. If the Senate votes to reverse what the DC Council did — I’ll sign it.”

“This is not it,” Rep. said Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DNY, who was one of several Democrats outraged by Biden’s decision. “DC has the same right to govern itself as any other state or municipality. If the president supports DC statehood, he should govern as such.”

Biden DC Criminal Code Status ‘Big Disappointment’, Delegate Says

White House Press Secretary Caryn Jean-Pierre on March 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House. Jean-Pierre told reporters that D.C. Administration policy statements opposing the resolution. The crime code didn’t mean Biden would veto it if lawmakers sent it to his desk. (Getty Images by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)

Several House Democrats indicated they were caught unawares by the president’s decision. But White House press secretary Caryn Jean-Pierre defended the president’s position on Friday, insisting there was “never a change of heart.” He said House Democrats were informed of Biden’s intentions during his annual policy retreat in Baltimore on Wednesday, a day before his announcement. Biden informed Senate Democrats separately at a caucus meeting Thursday.

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A Republican-led proposal against D.C.’s criminal code passed the House with the support of 31 Democrats. With Biden indicating he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk, it is likely to pass the Senate with bipartisan support when it comes up for a vote early next week.

Fox News’ Madeline Coggins contributed to this report.