US capital withdraws criminal justice reform bill

The recently passed reforms to the Washington, DC, criminal code would have lowered mandatory minimum sentencing for some crimes [File: J Scott Applewhite/AP]

The Washington, DC, city council has issued a letter to the United States Senate to withdraw controversial legislation that raises questions about criminal justice reform and the US capital’s ability to govern itself.

The Senate was expected this week to vote down the bill, which includes a suite of changes to overhaul the city’s local criminal code. The US Constitution grants Congress oversight over the capital’s legislation.