House committee passes bill to overturn DC police reform

By ASHRAF KHALIL
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are accusing Washington, D.C., officials of losing control of local affairs. In a party-line vote Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee advanced a bill to overturn a police reform package passed by the D.C. Council amid nationwide protests about police brutality. The measure now goes to the full House. The committee’s vote is the latest salvo against the district’s home rule, following Congress’ action earlier this year to nullify a rewrite of the local criminal code. Multiple Republican committee members say the council’s policies are soft on criminals and anti-police in the midst of a crime wave. Under terms of Washington’s Home Rule authority, the House committee essentially vets all new D.C. laws.