Senate sends measure to thwart D.C. criminal code revisions to Biden's desk

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted in support of a measure to block changes to Washington, D.C.'s criminal code that many viewed as soft on crime.

The city had proposed cuts to maximum criminal sentences and eliminating most mandatory sentences outright. Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser vetoed the measure but the City Council overrode her.

The upper chamber voted 81-14 in favor of blocking the changes, exercising existing congressional power to intervene in domestic District affairs, NBC News reported.

President Joe Biden previously informed Senate Democrats that he would not veto the GOP-led motion, thus ensuring it will take effect as the House has already backed the effort.

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson had attempted to stop the vote by withdrawing the proposed changes to the criminal code, though Republicans refused to accommodate that request.

"No matter how hard they try, the Council cannot avoid accountability for passing this disastrous, dangerous D.C. soft-on-crime bill that will make residents and visitors less safe," Tennessee GOP Sen. Bill Hagerty said earlier this week.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.