House Democrats have been taken aback by President Joe Biden’s decision to back Republicans’ legislation to undo the District of Columbia’s crime bill.
The D.C. law — which would lower the maximum sentences for crimes like armed robbery, carjacking, and other felonies — received backlash from Republicans and moderate Democrats.
However, last month 173 House Democrats voted along with what they believed was the White House’s stance that Biden would veto the resolution to help stand up for D.C.’s “home rule.”
Instead, Biden revealed to Senate Democrats on Thursday (March 2) that he wouldn’t be vetoing the GOP’s resolution, garnering anger from Democrats in the lower chamber.
According to reporting by The Hill, one Democrat lawmaker shared disappointment, saying the White House messed “this up royally,” pointing to a Statement of Administration Policy the White House released last year opposing the resolution and backing D.C.
The lawmaker added that Democratic House leadership relayed that Biden was prepared to veto the resolution, noting that House Democrats aligned themselves with what they believed the White House wanted and now were “being hung out to dry.”
The lawmaker also called for “heads to roll” in the White House as a result of the miscommunication, explaining that other Democrats were also “EXTREMELY pissed.”
The number 3 House Democrat, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA.), gave a rare rebuke of Biden, noting that the President’s actions are “disappointing,” explaining that he was once a former mayor and “wouldn’t want the federal government” to tell him what ordinances to pass.
