'Hands Off DC': Rally held as controversial criminal code bill goes before Senate

WASHINGTON (7News) — A "Hands Off D.C." rally was held Wednesday as the U.S. Senate is scheduled to discuss, and potentially vote, on a motion to block the District's revised criminal code.

A group of lawmakers pushing for D.C.'s autonomy and statehood protested outside Union Station beginning at 11 a.m.

Congresswoman (D-DC) Eleanor Holmes Norton spoke at the rally. "You either support D.C. Home Rule, or you don't," she said. "There are no exceptions."

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson also attended the rally.

"This issue has become so political nationally," Mendelson said. "This really isn't about our crime bill; this is about national politics and whether the Republicans can make the Democrats look soft on crime."

Mendelson said during a news conference Monday he asked the Senate to withdraw consideration of the bill so the council can make changes. He withdrew the bill under D.C.'s home rule and noted the plan is for the bill to be reworked and resubmitted again to the House and Senate.

Congress has authority over D.C. affairs and reviews the capital city’s legislation before it can become law.

RELATED | DC Council chairman withdraws controversial criminal code bill before Senate consideration

Critics of the revised code say it's too soft on crime because it lowers penalties for some violent offenses.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed a number of amendments to the criminal code that the D.C. Council passed in November, including one that would get rid of what is perhaps the most controversial part of it – the lowering of maximum penalties on convicted carjacking, robbery and burglary.

House Republicans passed a resolution blocking the changes, which had been sent to Congress over Bowser'sveto, which was overridden by the D.C. Council.

Last week, President Joe Biden made a statement that he would not veto the GOP’s disapproval measure. The White House has framed the president’s decision as one about public safety, saying he has concerns over the penalty reductions that are part of the D.C. Council’s legislation.

ALSO READ |Biden faces backlash from Democrats after siding with GOP on DC crime bill

If the president opposes their disapproval measure, they can paint him as soft on crime.

Both the White House and others have used Bowser's veto of the new criminal code as one reason why they feel it could be justified to allow Congress to approve a repeal of the measure.

RELATED |Local leaders divided on whether to repeal new DC criminal code

This is a developing story. Stay with 7News throughout the day.

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The National Desk contributed to this story.