House leaders have decided not to vote on extending President Donald Trump’s temporary takeover of D.C. police, allowing the emergency order to expire on September 10, according to three anonymous sources. Speaker Mike Johnson said as he left the House floor Thursday that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s announcement this week that she would coordinate with federal law enforcement on an indefinite basis going forward has seemingly ‘resolved some of’ the issues. This move means the 30-day emergency order will end as scheduled, without any further legislative action from the House.
Senate Democrats have been vocal in their opposition to any extension of the takeover, using their filibuster powers to block the bill. House leaders, however, might have intended to call a vote to force vulnerable Democrats to take a position on urban crime, but it appears that the matter has been dropped. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have also not shown interest in supporting an extension, and a unanimous consent vote is not expected. The decision not to act on the police takeover guarantees that Trump’s 30-day emergency order will expire next week, marking the end of a contentious episode in D.C. governance.
Mayor Bowser has been critical of the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents within the capital, but has welcomed an influx of other federal law enforcement agencies, including FBI agents and U.S. Park Police. In a recent statement, she emphasized the need for a clear message to Congress that the city has its own framework to request or use federal resources. “We don’t need a presidential emergency,” she said, highlighting the city’s existing infrastructure for collaboration with federal agencies.
The House could vote within weeks on other D.C.-related measures, including a proposed Oversight Committee markup set for Wednesday. This session will focus on legislation addressing youth crime, the D.C. education system, and restrictions on law enforcement. According to a leaked list of bills, several provisions aim to increase federal oversight of D.C. governance, including the elimination of the elected D.C. attorney general and replacement with a presidential appointee. Other proposals include reversing D.C.’s policy against police auto pursuits and lowering the age at which minors can be considered adults for certain violent crimes.
Speaker Johnson was also asked about the $2 billion in D.C. beautification funding Trump has emphasized. He stated he’s unsure about the current status of the request and is awaiting more details. Additionally, Johnson indicated that a nationwide crime bill is “on the table,” although Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted it is “yet to be determined” what form such a bill might take. Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley is engaged in preliminary discussions with Republican leaders and the Justice Department to craft a broader crime bill. Thune expressed optimism that a comprehensive agreement could be reached, though the details remain unclear as negotiations unfold.