Minnesota Democratic Rep. Angie Craig voted with Republicans on a criminal justice bill just after being attacked in the elevator of her Washington, D.C. apartment building.
According to the Daily Caller, Craig and 31 of her Democratic colleagues lined up with Republicans last Thursday to support a resolution block D.C. Council’s Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
Congress can block D.C. bills
The Daily Caller noted that the legislation weakens penalties for a number of violent crimes, a move which has sparked criticism.
While the D.C. Council is able to pass laws Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution invests Congress with final authority over the nation’s capital.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy slammed the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 in a speech on Thursday, saying, “A healthy republic has two basic duties: guarantee free and fair elections; and protect life, liberty, and property from violence.”
In 2020, Washington DC defunded the police. From that point on, the city government has done nothing but pass laws that have clearly made the city less safe. It’s not right, and it must stop. https://t.co/cjYWSnEVKP
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) February 9, 2023
Congresswoman threw hot coffee at attacker
The Daily Caller cited a statement that was put out on Thursday by Craig’s office following the incident near her apartment.
“This morning around 7:15 a.m., Rep. Craig was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in Washington, DC. Rep. Craig defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay,” it read.
“Rep. Craig called 9-1-1 and the assailant fled the scene of the assault. There is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated,” the statement went on to add.
Meanwhile, Fox News reported that Craig put out another statement in which she described using her hot coffee to fend off the assailant.
“My morning coffee really saved the day yesterday, but not exactly how I expected it to,” the Democratic congresswoman joked.
Craig thanks law enforcement
“On a serious note, I will also say that I was very, very lucky that I was not more injured – and I’ll have more to say about that soon,” she continued. “I feel very fortunate to have escaped following the attack and be home in Minnesota today recovering.”
“I remain deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers for their quick response and subsequent arrest of a suspect last night,” Craig concluded.
Fox News noted that police later identified Craig’s attacker as 26-year-old Kendrick Hamlin, someone who was reportedly “acting erratic” and appeared to be under the influence of “an unknown substance.”