00:00The U.S. House is moving fast on 14 bills that could shake up Washington, D.C.'s approach to
00:05juvenile crime and public safety. Republicans say the measures will tighten enforcement,
00:11boost police power, and increase sentences for youth offenders, a pushback by the Trump
00:15administration. The full House will vote soon. Representative James Comer has scheduled hearings
00:23with Mayor Muriel Bowser and other key D.C. officials to question them on rising crime.
00:29One bill would let 14-year-olds be tried as adults, lowering the current age from 16.
00:35D.C. has spent decades reforming juvenile justice, limiting detention, expanding alternatives,
00:41and keeping kids out of adult facilities. Still, a 2022 study found nearly 93 percent of youths
00:48returned to the system, with almost half convicted again. So here's what the bills will do.
00:53H.R. 5242 repeals earlier reforms, limits sentence reductions, cuts record ceiling.
01:01D.C. Crimes Act lowers age of youth offenders to 18 for certain crimes, removes judicial flexibility,
01:08and requires public crime data. Supporters say stronger laws are needed to fight rising
01:13youth crime. Critics warn harsher punishments hurt communities and ignore root causes.
01:18Other bills boost police authority, restore vehicle pursuit rules, and create a commission to improve
01:24safety and city beautification. Additional measures address cash bail sentencing and congressional
01:30oversight. Some allow presidential appointments of judges and the D.C. Attorney General.
01:35Read more by downloading the Straight Arrow News mobile app or go to san.com.
01:39For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey.
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