House GOP preps resolutions to condemn D.C. plans to allow illegal immigrant voting

House Republicans are preparing resolutions to condemn plans from D.C. officials to reduce maximum penalties for criminal offenses and to allow illegal immigrants to vote in the District.

The votes will likely take place on Thursday morning and secure passage in the lower chamber, according to the Washington Times. Congress has the authority to block D.C. legislation. Neither resolution is likely to clear the Democrat-controlled Senate.

Republicans noted that Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser had vetoed the changes to the criminal code, but that the city council had overruled her on the matter.

"We're actually on the side of the mayor. We're seeing elevated crime rates across America in general and in the District of Columbia, in particular. It would be unconscionable to adopt policies that will put violent criminals back on the streets," Oklahoma GOP Rep. Tom Cole said, per the outlet.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Andy Harris acknowledged the Senate barriers to passage and contended that such measures might find success as riders on more important legislation.

"In a divided Congress, the more likely path is the path of using appropriate use of appropriations bills and being able to restrict the ability of the D.C. government to spend money on areas where we think it's not wise," he said, per the Times. "Congress, I think, was very generous in passing a Home Rule Act. But I think it's been taken advantage of. What we've seen is a litany of very liberal policies come out of the D.C. Council in the past decade and a half."

House Democrats voted to grant statehood to the District of Columbia during the last Congress, a measure that failed to gain traction in the Senate and may brush up against the Constitution.

"The framers of the Constitution, I think, got it right. The fact of the matter is they created a federal city. It is a capital city. It's different from other countries in the world where there is no special designation," Harris said of the capital's special status.