House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has voiced his support for H.R. 5140, the District of Columbia Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act. The bill, introduced by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas), aims to address rising juvenile crime rates in Washington, D.C.
Comer referenced recent statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department indicating that juveniles accounted for over half of all robbery arrests in 2024 and more than half of carjacking arrests in 2025 as of August. He said Congress needs to act on violent crimes committed by young offenders.
"Currently, minors 16 years old and older are eligible to have their case moved up to criminal court and to be tried as an adult in D.C. This bill lowers that age to 14 years old, making 14 and 15-year-olds who commit violent crimes eligible to be charged as adults," Comer stated during prepared remarks. "Violent crime refers to murder, first degree sexual abuse, burglary in the first-degree, and robbery while armed, for example. When juveniles commit crimes of this magnitude, they deserve sentencing that reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed."
He added: "I thank Representative Gill for leading this legislation and urge my colleagues to support this bill."
James Comer has represented Kentucky’s 1st district in Congress since replacing Ed Whitfield in 2016 (https://comer.house.gov/about). Before serving in Congress, he was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2001 to 2012 (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/C001108). Born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972, Comer now lives in Tompkinsville at age 50. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1993.
