TO: U.S. Congress, U.S. Senate, D.C. Officials, Public Officials, and Legal Organizations, Media

Kal Inois
Nov 6
5 min read

DEFEND D.C.'s HOME RULE & SELF-REPRESENTATION

We, the undersigned, demand the preservation of the rights of the people of the District of Columbia to self-government, autonomy, and full representation in Congress. The recent actions taken by Congress to strip D.C. of its home rule and self-governance not only undermine the fundamental principles of democracy and equality but also violate the rights of the people who call the District home.

These measures perpetuate the disenfranchisement of the nearly 700,000 residents of D.C., who pay federal taxes, serve in the U.S. military, and contribute to the nation's economy, yet are systematically denied voting representation in Congress and the full right to self-governance.

We stand in opposition to the following harmful bills, which would diminish D.C.'s autonomy, disenfranchise its people, and obstruct the ability of local leaders to serve the community’s needs.

1. The District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act

This bill severely limits the power of the D.C. Council by establishing an unnecessary and undemocratic congressional review process for local laws. By imposing a 60-day congressional review period for all D.C. legislation, removing the Council’s ability to extend emergency laws, and giving Congress a line-item veto of local legislation, this bill reduces D.C.’s ability to self-regulate and impedes its responsiveness to the needs of the residents. D.C. deserves the ability to govern itself without constant federal interference.

2. The District of Columbia Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safer (DC CRIMES) Act (H.R. 4922)

This bill seeks to impose regressive and punitive policies that override local decision-making in the criminal justice system. By treating youth offenders as adults regardless of the offense and restricting local authority to shape criminal justice reforms, this bill undermines the ability of D.C. to pursue progressive reforms that align with the District’s values and priorities. Youth deserve to be treated with fairness, not subjected to policies that criminalize them unjustly.

3. The District of Columbia Bail Reform Act

This bill would alter D.C.'s pre-trial release system, making it more punitive and less just by requiring mandatory detention for defendants charged with certain offenses and expanding the use of cash bail. These measures would disproportionately harm vulnerable communities, particularly Black and brown residents, and undermine D.C.'s efforts to establish a fairer, more equitable justice system. Pre-trial detention should not be punitive but should aim to balance safety with fairness.

4. The District of Columbia Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act

This bill would lower the age of eligibility for juveniles to be tried as adults, exposing more young people to adult sentencing and incarceration. The repercussions of this policy would be devastating, particularly in a District already grappling with high levels of incarceration. We must prioritize rehabilitation over punishment for young offenders, offering them a chance at redemption, not subjecting them to adult criminal penalties.

5. Other Bills Attacking D.C. Home Rule

These include bills that would repeal important justice reforms, impose restrictions on local police oversight, alter how the District’s Attorney General and judges are appointed, and introduce further limitations on the local government's ability to govern effectively. These bills are designed to dismantle critical components of D.C.'s local governance and prevent the District from enacting laws that align with the needs and will of its people. The people of D.C. deserve to have their voices heard without federal intrusion.

These bills represent a direct assault on D.C.’s home rule, a right that D.C. residents have fought tirelessly to preserve. It is a grave injustice for the people of D.C. to be denied the full rights of citizenship, including self-governance and fair representation.

Demands:

The immediate withdrawal of any and all bills that seek to undermine D.C.'s autonomy, home rule, and self-representation.
Full recognition of D.C.'s right to govern itself without undue interference from Congress or the federal government.
Equal representation for the people of the District of Columbia in the U.S. Congress, including the right to vote on national legislation and to have voting members represent their interests.

The District of Columbia is not a colony. It is a city that has long played an essential role in our nation’s history and continues to contribute to the national conversation. We stand united in defending the rights of the people of D.C. to determine their own future and to be fully represented in Congress. It is time for Congress to acknowledge the fundamental rights of D.C. residents.

We call on you to act in the name of justice and equality. Protect the rights of the people of Washington, D.C. and stand with us in defense of democracy.

REFERENCES

H.R.4922 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): DC CRIMES Act. (2025, September 16). https://www.congress.gov/index.php/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4922

U.S. Congress. (2025). District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act

U.S. Congress. (2025). District of Columbia Bail Reform Act

U.S. Congress (2025). District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act

H.R.5143 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): District of Columbia Policing Protection Act. (2025, September 15). https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5143

Why is this important?

The fight for D.C.'s right to govern itself is not just a local issue—it is a fight for democracy, equality, and justice. The residents of Washington, D.C. are being denied the fundamental right that every American citizen deserves: self-determination.

By signing this petition, you are standing up for:

Democracy: Every citizen should have a voice in how they are governed. But residents of D.C. pay federal taxes, serve in the military, and contribute to society in countless ways—yet they are denied voting representation in Congress. This is a direct attack on the democratic principles our nation was built on. The fight for D.C. is the fight for true democracy.
Equality: D.C. residents deserve the same rights as those in any state. No community should be denied a voice in its own government, especially when its people have been consistently contributing to the nation’s well-being. When Congress continues to impose laws that strip away D.C.’s autonomy, it is a violation of the very principle of equal treatment under the law. The rights of D.C. residents should not be second-class.
Justice: The people of D.C. have fought tirelessly for the right to govern themselves, yet Congress continues to impose policies that diminish their power. By signing this petition, you’re standing up for justice—and fighting back against the federal overreach that strips the people of D.C. of their voice, their power, and their right to create laws that best serve their community.

This fight isn’t just about D.C.; it’s about sending a clear message: We will not stand by as Congress continues to infringe upon the rights of any group of Americans to have a say in their future. D.C. should be able to make decisions for its residents without unnecessary federal interference.

Now is the time for action. The people of Washington, D.C. are counting on your support to protect their autonomy and preserve their voice. Add your name, make your voice heard, and join the movement to demand justice, equality, and democracy for all.