The Senate voted on Wednesday to block changes to Washington, D.C.’s criminal code that would have reduced penalties for some violent crimes, marking the first time Congress approved overturning local D.C. legislation since 1991.
Why it matters: An increase in carjackings and gun violence in the nation’s capital catapulted the bill to national prominence, leading President Biden and many Democrats to side with Republicans as they try to position themselves as tough on crime ahead of 2024.
