Terminating the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025, in the Executive Order titled "Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia".
Impact
The termination of the emergency, if enacted, would mean that the federal government can no longer impose restrictions or take control over local law enforcement resources needed by the District of Columbia. Proponents of HJR115 contend that the city's independently raised revenues have already been restricted by the federal government, which undermines local governance and stifles public safety initiatives essential for the community. Given the reported decline in violent crime to a 30-year low, supporters assert that the President's emergency declaration is unfounded and unnecessarily politicizes the local law enforcement framework.
Summary
HJR115 is a joint resolution aimed at terminating the emergency declared by the President on August 11, 2025, related to crime in the District of Columbia. The resolution specifies that the declaration of emergency does not meet the criteria outlined in section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which limits federal intervention to defined circumstances. The bill argues that the President has not established the necessary conditions that warrant the federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department for federal purposes.
Contention
Discussions surrounding HJR115 include significant contention regarding the balance of power between federal and local authority. Opponents argue that the emergency declaration allows for a necessary federal presence in ensuring safety in dynamic urban environments. They raise concerns that terminating this emergency could embolden crime rates rather than supporting local efforts to handle crime effectively. The debate is reflective of broader themes of local autonomy versus federal control of emergency services, particularly in areas as complex as urban law enforcement.
Same As
A joint resolution terminating the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025, in the Executive Order titled "Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia".
A joint resolution terminating the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025, in the Executive Order titled "Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia".
Extending the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025 in the Executive Order titled "Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia".
To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to extend the emergency period during which the President may exercise control over the Metropolitan Police Department.
To require members of the Armed Forces performing active service in the District of Columbia in response to an order of the President which relates to crime or civil disturbance in the District of Columbia to participate in a program substantially similar to the Body-Worn Camera Program of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.
Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2026 District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2026 Executive Office of the President Appropriations Act, 2026 Department of the Treasury Appropriations Act, 2026
Executive Office of the President Appropriations Act, 2027 District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2027 Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2027 Department of the Treasury Appropriations Act, 2027
District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 2026 Judiciary Appropriations Act, 2026 Executive Office of the President Appropriations Act, 2026 Department of the Treasury Appropriations Act, 2026