This week Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer proved true the old saying that even a broken clock is right twice a day. Schumer split from his pro-criminal political party and voted against a crime bill passed by the Washington, D.C., City Council to reduce sentencing for violent carjacking and other heinous behavior.
In an act of true bipartisanship, not only did Schumer cast a vote to block the measure, but as Majority Leader, he brought the legislation up for a vote after it was passed by Republicans in the House. Why does this matter?
For good reason, Washington, D.C., is not a state and never should be.
"Washington, D.C., isn't a state; it's a district. D.C. stands for District of Columbia. Its creation comes directly from the U.S. Constitution, which provides that the district, 'not exceeding 10 Miles square,' would 'become the Seat of the Government of the United States,'" the Washington D.C. government website states. "Congress established the federal district in 1790 to serve as the nation's capital, from land belonging to the states of Maryland and Virginia. The Constitution dictates that the federal district be under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress."
D.C. is the capital city of the United States of America and belongs to all its citizens. It does not belong to the people who happen to live in Washington, D.C., and certainly not to a rabidly anti-law and order city council. Americans from across the country have a right to visit and walk the streets without becoming a victim of a crime. Parents have a right to send their high school or college students to experience the National Mall, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Capitol and more without having to worry about violent criminals stealing the jackets off their bodies at gunpoint.
"We want to alert our community regarding a string of robberies involving Canada Goose jackets that have taken place in the past few days. While none of the incidents have occurred on campus, two took place near the Foggy Bottom campus on February 1, 2023. Jackets have been taken off of victims, and in some cases, weapons have been brandished," George Washington University released in a recent campus advisory. "These jackets are very expensive, and our community members should be mindful while wearing them, even in very public spaces. As always, be mindful of your surroundings. If a situation feels unsafe, dial 911."
The White House, under pressure ahead of President Joe Biden's 2024 campaign, announced last week he would not veto the bill should it pass the House and Senate. As usual, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had a difficult time explaining how Biden still believes in D.C. statehood while also supporting a congressional override of the council's crime bill.
"The president supports D.C. statehood," she said. "Vetoing the bill headed to his desk now won't make D.C. a state."
They simply should have said the capital city of the greatest country on earth should be safe for all and left it at that.
But while Schumer may deserve credit for his vote, the rest of his party should be shamed after more than a dozen Democratic senators and countless House members voted in favor of the pro-criminal legislation passed by the council. We can only hope their constituents, many of whom are tired of rampant violence, think about sending those representatives into the unemployment line with former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
