Govoptes

HR 5143 · District of Columbia Policing Protection Act of 2025

Received in the Senate.

Introduced
Sep 4, 2025
Latest action
Sep 18, 2025
Sponsor
Rep. Clay Higgins [R-LA-3]
Policy area
Crime and Law Enforcement
Cosponsors
2

Summary

District of Columbia Policing Protection Act This bill repeals restrictions on the circumstances under which law enforcement officers in the District of Columbia (DC) may engage in vehicular pursuits (i.e., police chases) of suspects fleeing in motor vehicles, and instead generally requires such pursuits in the absence of other means of apprehension. Currently, pursuant to DC's Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, law enforcement officers generally may not engage in vehicular pursuits of suspects fleeing in motor vehicles unless the officer reasonably believes (1) the suspect was involved in a crime of violence or poses an immediate and serious threat to another person, (2) the pursuit is necessary to prevent that threat and is not likely to result in death or serious injury to any person, and (3) all other options have been exhausted or are unreasonable given the circumstances. The bill repeals these restrictions and instead requires law enforcement officers to engage in vehicular pursuits of suspects fleeing in motor vehicles unless the officer or a higher-ranking officer reasonably believes that (1) such pursuit would be futile, (2) the pursuit would entail an unacceptable risk of harm to a person other than the suspect, or (3) the suspect can be apprehended more effectively or expeditiously by other means. The bill also requires the Department of Justice to report to Congress on the costs and benefits of DC’s Metropolitan Police Department adopting technology that alerts the public of an active police pursuit in their immediate vicinity.

Recent actions

  1. Sep 18, 2025 Received in the Senate.
  2. Sep 17, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Sep 17, 2025 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 245 - 182 (Roll no. 275). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4379)
  4. Sep 17, 2025 Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 245 - 182 (Roll no. 275). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4379)
  5. Sep 17, 2025 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4395)
  6. Sep 17, 2025 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 5143, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill, and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Garcia (CA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  7. Sep 17, 2025 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  8. Sep 17, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5143.

Votes

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