DC Home Rule under threat after BOWSER Act introduced in Congress

WASHINGTON - Utah Senator Mike Lee and Tennessee Representative Andy Ogles introduced a bill last week that could strip Washington, D.C. of its ability to govern itself. 

What we know:

The bill is named after D.C.'s Mayor Muriel Bowser – the "Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident (BOWSER) Act."

 The bill would eliminate D.C. Home Rule Act of 1973 and would place D.C. under the full control of Congress. 

What they're saying:

Lee and Ogles have historically been critical of Bowser and the D.C. Council. 

In a statement announcing the bill Congressman Ogles wrote "Washington is now known for its homicides, rapes, drug overdoses, violence, theft, and homelessness. Bowser and her corrupt Washington City Council are incapable of managing the city. As such, it seems appropriate for Congress to reclaim its Constitutional authority and restore the nation’s Capital."

"The corruption, crime, and incompetence of the D.C. government has been an embarrassment to our nation’s capital for decades," said Lee. "It is long past time that Congress restored the honor and integrity of George Washington to the beautiful city which bears his name." 

In their statement, they listed six "failures of governance in the District of Columbia:"

• A long history of official corruption, including the recent federal bribery charges against Councilman Trayon White
• Repeated armed carjackings and violence by teenage gangs, including vicious filmed beatings on public transit
• Assaults and robberies on Congressional staffers and Members of Congress
• Soft-on-crime policies encouraging criminals to victimize innocent Americans
• Allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections
• Oppressive, backwards regulations leading to a high cost of living

Councilmember Brooke Pinto of Ward 2 released the following statement:

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson provided this statement:

What's next:

If the BOWSER Act were to pass, the bill would repeal the District of Columbia Rule Act one year later. It would essentially abolish D.C.'s local government, playing the District under the complete control of Congress. 

(Original Caption) Washington, D.C.: Miss Carol Sharpe (left) and Mrs. Chloeann Beck, dressed in convicts' costumes, picket near the Capitol (background) in a demonstration for restoration of voting rights for District of Columbia citizens. The demon

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The backstory:

The D.C. Home Rule Act of 1973 allows the city to elect its own mayor and council.  It’s also allowed for D.C. to choose Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners to handle community concerns. Congress still maintains control over D.C., including the ability to review all local legislation and appoint the city’s judges. D.C. has no voting member in Congress, though it has a nonvoting Delegate.