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The Leader’s Floor Lookout: Thursday, February 9, 2023

Washington, February 9, 2023
Here’s what to watch for on the House Floor today:
Illegal Aliens Should Not Vote in U.S. Elections Voting is a foundational right of citizenship. It is a constitutional right that American citizens should only hold.  On November 21, 2022, the D.C. Council voted to shred the Constitution and passed a bill that allows illegal immigrants to vote in D.C. local elections.   The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act disenfranchises American citizens and could have a ripple effect across other large U.S. cities. To add insult to injury, this legislation makes no exception for foreign nationals or diplomats. This means that representatives from other countries, including agents of the Chinese Communist Party, can vote in D.C. elections. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer’s resolution, H.J. Res. 24, would express disapproval toward D.C.’s policy allowing non-citizens to vote.
Stopping the D.C. Council’s Horrific Soft-on-Crime Policies Over the last few years, we have seen the consequences of Democrats’ embrace of the radical “Defund the Police” and “No Cash Bail” movements. By slashing police budgets, ending cash bail, and allowing violent offenders back onto our streets, radical Democrats have made our communities less safe.  Recently, the D.C. Council voted to revise the district’s criminal code and soften penalties for violent crimes.   
 The Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 Act: 
  • Eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for all crimes except first-degree murder. 
  • Eliminates life sentences and reduces maximum penalties for violent crimes, such as burglary, carjackings, and robberies.
  • Expands the right to a jury trial to include most misdemeanors.
The legislation was so bad, far-left D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser attempted to veto it. However, on January 17, the D.C. Council voted 12-1 to override Mayor Bower’s veto. In a letter to D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Mayor Bowser wrote, “I have very serious concerns about some of the bill’s proposals,” and “I believe it is more important to get this opportunity right than to add policies and weaken penalties into what should be a bill that makes DC safer.” Additionally, the hyper-progressive Washington Post editorial board came out against the D.C. Council’s soft-on-crime legislation.   
The District of Columbia cannot afford to give criminals a free pass. Compared to February 2022:
  • Sexual abuse is up 157 percent.
  • Motor vehicle theft is up 88 percent.
  • Total property crime is up 31 percent.
  • Homicides have increased by 22 percent.
Under the D.C. Home Rule Act, Congress can stop D.C. Council actions from taking effect. To do so, both the House and Senate must pass a joint resolution of disapproval within 60 days for criminal code reforms, and the President must also sign the resolution. Rep. Andrew Clyde’s resolution, H.J. Res. 26, is the first step in preventing this misguided bill from the D.C. Council from going into effect.   

Condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s Espionage  On Saturday, January 28, a Chinese spy balloon was detected entering U.S. territory near the Aleutian Islands off of Alaska. 

Instead of taking decisive action before the Chinese Communist Party-controlled balloon invaded our skies, President Biden waited days and allowed it to cross nearly the entire continental United States.  On Saturday, February 4, the balloon was finally shot down off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  This is unacceptable. China cannot be allowed to send surveillance platforms over the U.S. homeland, in the vicinity of our most sensitive military bases.  Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul’s resolution, H. Res. 104, condemns the Chinese Communist Party for its use of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over United States territory.