Members of Congress are meeting right now to debate a series of bills, thirteen of which aim to repeal or alter local DC laws, representing a sweeping overreach of the federal government into DC’s local democracy. Without a vote in Congress, this legislative targeting of DC’s autonomy is a nightmare for local residents and comes just 30 days after the Trump administration deployed National Guard troops domestically against its own residents and federalized the DC MPD. 

Bread for the City finds aspects of all thirteen bills troubling, especially HB 5163, which would fine and arrest our unhoused DC neighbors, essentially criminalizing homelessness. Currently, it is not illegal to experience homelessness in DC, but this legislation seeks to overturn the values of city residents and our democratically elected representatives. Bread for the City stands with our unhoused neighbors against such brutality. Other harmful legislation proposed today includes bills seeking to replace our fairly elected Attorney General with a Trump appointee, roll back police accountability, and undermine youth justice reforms, among others.

DC is a federal district, which creates a unique relationship between our local and federal lawmakers. Members of Congress, however, do not have to choose to continue subjugating DC’s residents, denying them local governance, and overturning their democratically created laws. These legislative choices are harmful and reflect the Trump administration’s desire for power and control–not just in our federal district, but across the country.

Find out who your representative is here:

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative