(CNN) President Joe Biden surprised Democratic senators on Thursday when he told them he would not veto GOP-led legislation to repeal a controversial Washington, DC, crime law, a move that comes as the Democrats are divided on the controversial issue and Republicans are aggressively accusing them. on the softening of crime.
A Senate vote to repeal the DC bill is expected next week. It passed last month in the Republican-controlled House with the support of 31 Democrats.
The upcoming vote splits Senate Democrats, reflecting the delicate balancing act the party faces on the crime issue. Biden’s announcement angered some in his own party, including progressives who argue that elected district leaders have the right to govern themselves. And Biden’s announcement leaves moderate Democrats who voted against the Republican proposal more open to political attacks from the GOP for being soft on crime.
In a recent speech on the floor, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell defended the push to scrap the DC law.
“When soft-on-crime local government becomes this incompetent; when members of Congress can’t go about their daily lives without being attacked; when families can’t visit themselves capital that is safe; then it’s time for the federal government to give some oversight to adults,” said the Kentucky Republican.
Biden’s announcement was planned in advance, according to a source familiar with the matter, and came after days of White House officials dodging questions about whether he would veto the measure. Instead, they pointed to an Administration Policy Statement that marked opposition to the move on the grounds of respect for district autonomy.
Biden confirmed his decision in a tweet on Thursday.
“I support DC Statehood and home-rule — but I don’t support some of the changes the DC Council put forward over the Mayor’s objections — like lowering the penalties for carjackings,” Biden tweeted from on the @POTUS account. “If the Senate votes to reverse what the DC Council did – I will sign it.”
In a sign of progressive anger, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York responded directly to Biden’s commentsdisputed Biden’s claim that he supports DC’s ability to govern itself.
“It’s not. DC has the right to govern itself, like any other state or municipality. If the President supports DC statehood, he should govern like this,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Thursday night. “A lot of places are passing laws that the President doesn’t agree with. He needs to respect the government of the people of DC like he does elsewhere.”
The omission of any mention of policy rollbacks in the move underscores a stark fact: Biden disagrees with DC Council policy.
Many Democrats oppose overriding the law in principle, arguing that local officials should make their own laws without congressional interference. But after news that Biden would not issue a veto, several Senate Democrats are now publicly saying they will vote for the measure.
Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii said she was torn: “On the one hand, I strongly support DC statehood. I support home rule. … On the other hand, when the mayor vetoed the bill that as if it doesn’t provide enough safety even if 95% of the bill is good, I’m torn.”
Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, told CNN he thought many of his fellow Democrats would “vote for it,” including him.
Senator Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said he had made up his mind before Biden’s announcement but that he would also vote for the House measure.
Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico said, “To call it a home rule thing is not very accurate. It’s about getting it right when we all realize there are some serious crime issues.” He will also vote on the measure.
Many others, including fierce defenders of the state of DC, say they are still weighing a decision.
“This is a complicated issue,” Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia said, adding that he would take the weekend to consider it.
“I don’t know yet,” said Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana.
Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada said he is still reviewing it.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
