Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Capito’s floor speech.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivered remarks on the Senate Floor on the out-of-control crime and disregard for law and order enabled by the Biden administration.

Later today, the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on a resolution of disapproval to the D.C. City Council’s irresponsible actions to rewrite their criminal code, amid skyrocketing crime in the nation’s capital. The resolution is led by U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.).

HIGHLIGHTS:

SKYROCKETING CRIME UNDER BIDEN: “I rise today to talk about an issue that I actually came to the floor on three weeks ago, and that is very, very relevant especially today. That is out of control crime, and a disregard for law and order that unfortunately, President Biden has enabled in his own backyard. Under the Biden administration's soft-on-crime agenda and rhetoric, Washington, D.C. – the capital of our beautiful country – has seen a 25% increase in crime, 33% increase in homicides, 121% increase in sexual abuse, and 108% increase in motor vehicle theft – just this year.”

TONE-DEAF COUNCIL: “Instead of enforcing law and order, in light of all of these statistics, supporting our police officers, and making residents and visitors of the district feel safe. The D.C. Council found it fitting to lessen the punishment for violent criminal offenses – hard to believe, isn't it – and embolden those who dare to break the law. Instead of heeding local calls for increased safety and policing from their residents. Really doesn't get any more tone-deaf than that.”

CRIME AND EDUCATION: “According to research led by professors at the University of Illinois, at Syracuse, and NYU, students faced a decline in standardized test scores following exposure to violent crime. What is that doing to the children of D.C.? They have to face this every day.”

CRIME AND HEALTH: “When it comes to health, research at the University of Pennsylvania has linked violent crime to negative health outcomes – makes sense – finding that decreased violent crime in communities was significantly associated with a decrease in mortality rates from cardiovascular disease or coronary artery disease.”

CRIME AND THE ECONOMY: “Surges in violent crime, especially gun violence, reduce the growth of new retail and service businesses. You see that all over Washington. It further notes that increases in violent crime slows home value appreciation, and can be associated with fewer jobs and lower home values. Makes sense. In Washington, D.C., this means surging crime leads to fewer job opportunities, fewer businesses opening, and more businesses closing.”

ON RECORD: “Today's vote to reject the D.C. Council's Revised Criminal Code act of 2022 puts every member on record. As some of my Republican colleagues highlighted last night, and continue to highlight today, we intend to stand on the right side of this issue.”

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