House Republicans are set to advance a comprehensive crime bill reflecting President Donald Trump‘s agenda, which targets crime rates in Washington, D.C., and aims to extend similar measures to other cities. This initiative follows Trump’s renewed focus on crime this summer, as he seeks to reshape legislative priorities. While the specific provisions of the proposed bill remain unclear, it is anticipated to address issues such as cashless bail, which Trump has attributed to rising crime levels.
The bill was not initially on the legislative agenda before lawmakers departed for their August recess. However, Trump’s summer campaign against crime has shifted priorities. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “Speaker Mike Johnson and Leader John Thune are working with me and other Republicans on a Comprehensive Crime Bill. It’s what our Country needs.”
Senate Republican aides indicate that while both Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson have engaged with Trump regarding the bill, the House is expected to take the lead in its development. The legislation, however, may face significant challenges in the Senate, where at least seven Democratic votes would be necessary to overcome the 60-vote threshold needed to end a filibuster.
Republicans believe that forcing votes on major crime legislation in both chambers could politically disadvantage Democrats from swing states and districts. The House is poised to act swiftly, with a hearing scheduled for September 18 by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb are expected to testify about crime in the capital.
As part of the Oversight panel’s efforts, members will also examine legislation aimed at addressing juvenile crime and educational challenges in the District. Additionally, Republicans plan to address what they claim are restrictive policing policies implemented by the D.C. City Council.
On the Senate side, Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, is expected to collaborate with the Department of Justice and other key Senate and House players to develop the crime bill. According to one GOP aide, discussions are still in the early stages.
Time is of the essence for Congress, which must act by September 10 to extend Trump’s control over the D.C. police force. This authority is set to expire after 30 days, as stipulated by the 1973 D.C. Home Rule Act. Republican aides express skepticism about the likelihood of passing legislation to extend Trump’s emergency powers shortly after returning from recess.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has firmly opposed any extension of Trump’s crime emergency declaration, stating earlier this month that there is “no way” he would support such a measure.
A comprehensive GOP crime bill could enhance funding for police, reminiscent of the provisions in the 1994 crime bill, and may also grant the president increased authority to deploy National Guard troops to major cities, including Los Angeles and Washington. Trump’s conservative allies in Congress have long urged him to take a firmer stance on crime, particularly in D.C., where homicide rates surged during the COVID-19 pandemic before declining in 2024.
Among the prominent advocates for a tougher crime approach is Mike Lee, a Republican senator from Utah, who has called for the repeal of the D.C. Home Rule Act and the “federalization” of the capital. He is also pushing for the passage of the Bowser Act, which would repeal local governance after one year.
Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas has voiced strong support for Trump’s initiatives, noting that approximately eight violent crimes occur daily in D.C. “I’m just saluting President Trump. More power to him to do whatever it takes to secure our nation’s capital,” Marshall stated during an appearance on Fox Business.
In addition to crime initiatives, lawmakers are contending with Trump’s request for $2 billion from Congress to fund infrastructure improvements in Washington. Mayor Bowser indicated her support for receiving these funds, particularly following a significant budget cut of $1 billion earlier this year due to federal spending adjustments.
As discussions progress, the proposed comprehensive crime bill will likely shape the political landscape in the coming months, influencing both legislative priorities and electoral strategies leading up to future elections.
