House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently called out President Joe Biden for his proposed crime bill for Washington, DC, claiming that she wished he had informed her of the plan first.
The proposed crime bill, which was unveiled by Biden last month, would allow for federal funding for the construction of a new DC courthouse, an increase in federal prosecutors, and additional federal funding for police and crime prevention programs. However, Pelosi expressed her dissatisfaction with the lack of communication from the White House.
“I wish that the president would have told us first,” Pelosi said in an interview on Thursday. “We have a real concern about what is happening in the District of Columbia. That’s why we have a delegation, as you know, and we have a voice in Congress, and we should be consulted.”
Pelosi went on to explain that the president had bypassed the DC delegation and the by not consulting with them first. She suggested that the delegation should have had the opportunity to weigh in on the issue prior to the bill’s unveiling.
In response to Pelosi’s comments, the White House defended its decision not to consult with the DC delegation. A spokesperson for the White House said that the president had consulted with the delegation’s members prior to the bill’s introduction, and had sought to work with them in crafting the legislation.
In addition, the White House spokesperson noted that the crime bill was not meant to be a “one-size-fits-all” solution for the District, but rather an effort to address the unique challenges facing the city. The spokesperson added that the White House was open to working with the DC delegation to address their concerns.
Despite Pelosi’s criticism, the crime bill has been welcomed by many of the city’s residents and local officials. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has praised the bill for its efforts to address the city’s crime issues, and the proposed funding for police and crime prevention programs have been especially welcomed. Ultimately, Pelosi’s criticism of the president’s decision to unveil the bill without consulting the DC delegation has sparked a larger debate about how the city should be represented in Congress and the need for more consultation with the city’s residents and leaders on matters of policy. While the outcome of the debate remains to be seen, it is clear that the proposed crime bill has reignited the discussion about DC representation and autonomy.