Washington, DC, might finally be getting the wake-up call it desperately needs on crime. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives took a bold stand, passing two bills with bipartisan support to overhaul the capital's lenient youth offender laws. It's a move that’s long overdue for a city grappling with violent crime spiraling out of control, the New York Post reported.

The House pushed through the DC CRIMES Act and H.R. 5140, both aimed at tightening the age of criminal responsibility and sentencing rules for young offenders in DC, sending them to the Senate for further action.

The DC CRIMES Act, introduced by Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., passed with a solid 240-179 vote, gaining support from 31 Democrats alongside nearly all Republicans. Only Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., broke ranks on the GOP side. Turns out, even across the aisle, some folks agree that actions should have real consequences.

Bipartisan Push for Tougher DC Laws

H.R. 5140, brought forward by Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, also cleared the House with a 225-203 vote, though with fewer Democrats—just eight—joining the Republican majority. Again, Massie stood alone in opposition among the GOP. It’s a narrower margin, but still a signal that not everyone’s buying the soft-on-crime playbook.

The DC CRIMES Act aims a glaring loophole, proposing to lower the age cap for “youth offender” status from 24 to 18. It also seeks to scrap local rules that let DC judges hand out lighter sentences than mandatory minimums to these offenders. Currently, someone as old as 24 can dodge full accountability with probation or reduced terms—hardly a deterrent.

Rep. Byron Donalds didn’t mince words on this: “Simply put, if you’re 18-24 years old and you commit a crime in our nation’s capital, you should be sentenced as an adult.” That’s not just common sense; it’s a lifeline for a city tired of revolving-door justice. If only more politicians had this kind of clarity.

Lowering the Age for Adult Charges

Meanwhile, H.R. 5140 goes even further, pushing to lower the age at which DC teens can be charged as adults from 16 down to 14 for serious crimes. Right now, under local law, most under-18s are funneled into family court as juveniles, with stricter rules for trying 15-year-olds as adults compared to 16-year-olds. This bill says enough is enough for violent acts by younger teens.

Rep. Brandon Gill put it bluntly: “We’re done coddling violent offenders.” When you look at cases like the tragic 2021 carjacking murder of Uber Eats driver Mohammed Anwar by a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old, both sentenced only to juvenile detention until 21, it’s hard to argue with him. A few years behind bars and then back on the streets—does that sound like justice?

Gill added, speaking of the 15-year-old involved in Anwar’s death, “In two years, she’ll be released.” That’s the kind of revolving door that fuels frustration among law-abiding citizens. If this bill passes, violent juveniles might finally face penalties that match their actions.

Support from Key DC Figures

US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro hailed the votes as a “critical first step” in curbing DC’s crime wave, especially following President Trump’s recent push to tackle violence in the capital. Pirro has been vocal since Trump’s emergency order federalizing DC’s police department expired last week, urging Congress to repeal local policies that hinder strict enforcement. Her stance is a breath of fresh air for those tired of endless excuses.

Pirro didn’t hold back, saying, “The fact that these bills received bipartisan support shows that both sides recognize the need to change the trajectory of violence.” Even in a polarized Congress, it seems some issues—like protecting innocent lives—can still bridge the gap. Maybe there’s hope for practical governance after all.

She also pointed to a recent high-profile case, the murder of congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, where two teenagers will be tried as adults. Pirro stressed, “We’re going to need Congress to change the law.” Her call to shift violent juveniles into criminal courts rather than family systems for rehabilitation hits at the heart of why these bills matter.

Urgent Need for Senate Action

These bills are just part of a broader House effort this week to toughen DC’s crime policies, a response to a city where violence has become far too common. Both the DC CRIMES Act and H.R. 5140 now head to the Senate, where their fate remains uncertain. The clock is ticking for lawmakers to act before more lives are lost to preventable crime.

Pirro’s advocacy for stronger jurisdiction over juveniles echoes a growing frustration with a system that often prioritizes second chances over public safety. She’s argued that many of these young offenders have been through the family court multiple times with little change in behavior. If that’s not a call for reform, what is?

For now, DC residents—and indeed all Americans—watch and wait as the Senate deliberates on these crucial measures. The bipartisan backing in the House proves that even in divided times, the safety of our nation’s capital can unite lawmakers. Let’s hope the Senate doesn’t fumble this chance to deliver accountability where it’s desperately needed.