Technical corrections only. The diff reflects the bill's progression through the House of Representatives, changing from the 'Reported in House' version to the 'Engrossed in House' version after passing the House. No substantive policy changes were made between v2 and v3.
Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9]
- Committees
- Oversight and Government Reform Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Nov 20, 2025
Bottom line
H.R. 5107 seeks to reverse most of the District of Columbia's recent police reform legislation, effectively reinstating older policing statutes.
What it actually does
This bill repeals the vast majority of the District of Columbia's "Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022," thereby restoring prior D.C. laws that were amended or repealed by the D.C. Act. It specifically exempts two subtitles from this repeal, meaning those particular D.C. reforms would remain in effect, while the bulk of the 2022 reforms are undone.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the D.C. Act of 2022 went too far in restricting police actions, leading to increased crime or hindering effective law enforcement. They contend that repealing most of the D.C. Act will restore necessary tools for police, enhance public safety, and ensure accountability without unduly burdening officers, thereby making the District safer for its residents and visitors.
Opponents contend
Opponents argue that repealing the D.C. Act of 2022 undermines local self-governance and rolls back critical reforms designed to address police misconduct, enhance transparency, and build community trust. They contend that the D.C. Act was a necessary response to calls for justice reform and that its repeal would exacerbate tensions between law enforcement and the community, potentially leading to a decrease in public safety.
The bill is exceptionally short and can be read in under a minute, but its implications are far-reaching and require understanding the D.C. law it targets.
Section 2(a)
Repeal of Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022
This provision nullifies almost all of the District of Columbia's "Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022." As a result, any D.C. laws that were changed or eliminated by that D.C. Act will be reinstated, effectively reverting D.C.'s policing regulations to their state before the 2022 reforms. This means policies regarding police conduct, accountability, and use of force would revert to earlier standards.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this repeal is necessary to empower D.C. police to effectively combat crime by removing what they see as overly restrictive regulations. They believe the D.C. Act hindered law enforcement's ability to maintain public order and safety, and that this repeal will restore necessary tools for officers.
Critics contend
Opponents contend that this repeal is an unwarranted federal interference in local D.C. affairs and undermines the democratic will of D.C. residents. They argue that the D.C. Act was a crucial step towards police accountability and that its reversal will harm community trust and potentially lead to a rise in police misconduct.
Tradeoffs
The provision navigates the tension between federal oversight of D.C. and local self-governance, while also balancing the perceived need for police effectiveness against demands for civil liberties and accountability.
Section 2(b)
Exceptions to Repeal
This provision specifies that two particular parts of the D.C. Act of 2022 will not be repealed by H.R. 5107. These are Subtitle S of Title I (related to D.C. Official Code sec. 5-365.01 et seq.) and Subtitle A of Title I (related to D.C. Official Code sec. 5-125.01 et seq. and sec. 5-302). This means these specific reforms enacted by the D.C. Council would remain in effect, providing a limited preservation of some aspects of the original D.C. Act.
Exempts Subtitle S of title I (sec. 5-365.01 et seq., D.C. Official Code) and Subtitle A of title I (sec. 5-125.01 et seq. and sec. 5-302, D.C. Official Code) from the general repeal of the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
Section 2(b)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for referencing existing law, but it makes the full scope of the bill's effect opaque to a reader without access to the referenced D.C. Code, potentially obscuring the specific policy choices made for these exemptions.
Case for: Supporters would argue that these exceptions demonstrate a nuanced approach, preserving certain beneficial or less controversial aspects of D.C.'s reforms while still addressing the perceived overreach of the broader D.C. Act. This selectivity could be seen as a pragmatic legislative compromise.
Case against: Critics might argue that without explicit details within the bill, it's unclear why these specific provisions were chosen for exemption, potentially masking political compromises or specific carve-outs that warrant public scrutiny and transparency.
Estimated impact: These exceptions mean that certain aspects of police accountability and reform, as defined by the exempted subtitles, will continue to apply in D.C., mitigating the full reversal of the 2022 Act and maintaining some continuity of reform efforts.