The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by James Comer (R-Ky.), has scheduled a full committee hearing titled “Oversight of the District of Columbia.” The hearing is set for September 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM EST in HVC-210 at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.
The session will focus on crime policies enacted by the D.C. Council, the increase in juvenile crime rates, law enforcement’s response to these issues, and general oversight of District affairs. This comes after recent actions by the committee to advance legislation aimed at strengthening D.C. law enforcement and addressing juvenile crime.
Chairman Comer stated: “The House Oversight Committee and President Trump have sent a clear message to D.C. officials: it’s time to make our nation’s capital safe. All Americans should feel safe in their capital city, but radical left-wing policies pushed by the D.C. Council have created an environment for truancy and violent crime to flourish. Despite opposition from Democrats, the Committee recently reinforced President Trump’s fight against lawlessness in D.C. by advancing comprehensive legislation that empowers local law enforcement, tackles the surging juvenile crime crisis, and codifies the President’s Executive Order to restore safety and beauty to our capital city. Our work isn’t done: the Committee is now set to hear directly from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, and Attorney General Brian Schwalb at a hearing on September 18. This Committee is fulfilling its constitutional duty to oversee District affairs and will continue working to ensure a D.C. that is safe and prosperous for all Americans,” said Chairman James Comer.
Scheduled witnesses include Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington D.C.; Phil Mendelson, Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia; and Brian Schwalb, Attorney General for the District.
The hearing will be open to both public attendees and members of the press. It will also be livestreamed online at https://oversight.house.gov/. Members of the press are required to RSVP by noon ET on September 17.
James Comer has represented Kentucky's 1st district in Congress since 2016 after succeeding Ed Whitfield (https://comer.house.gov/about). He previously served in Kentucky's House of Representatives from 2001 until 2012 (https://ballotpedia.org/James_Comer_Jr.). Born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972, Comer currently resides in Tompkinsville (https://www.rollcall.com/2023/09/20/kentucky-republican-james-comers-life-in-pictures/). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University in 1993.
