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“THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOME RULE CLEMENCY ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E402 on March 28, 2017.
The Department is one of the oldest in the US, focused primarily on law enforcement and the federal prison system. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, detailed wasteful expenses such as $16 muffins at conferences and board meetings.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOME RULE CLEMENCY ACT
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HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
of the district of columbia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the District of Columbia Home Rule Clemency Act, a bill that would give the District of Columbia exclusive authority, like the states and territories, to grant clemency to offenders prosecuted under its local laws.
While District law appears to give the mayor authority to grant clemency (D.C. Code 1-301.76), it is currently the opinion of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that the president, and not the mayor, has the authority to issue clemency for most local offenses prosecuted under D.C. law, particularly felonies prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney in the D.C. Superior Court. Under current practice, clemency petitions for D.C. convictions, like federal convictions, are submitted to the DOJ for the president's consideration.
Whether or not the DOJ's view is correct, my bill would remove all doubt that the District, and not the president, has the authority to issue executive clemency for local offenses. The District, like states and territories, should have full control of its local criminal justice system, the most basic responsibility of local government. Since the D.C. Council has the authority to enact local laws, District officials are in the best position to grant clemency for local law convictions. My bill would provide all clemency authority not currently reserved to the Mayor under D.C. Code 1-301.76 to the District government and would give D.C. the discretion to establish its own clemency system.
This bill is an important step in establishing further autonomy for the District in its own local affairs. I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
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