House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has voiced support for H.R. 5143, known as the District of Columbia Policing Protection Act. The bill, introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), seeks to provide local law enforcement with expanded tools to apprehend criminals and enhance public safety in Washington, D.C.
In prepared remarks, Comer stated: "I am pleased to support H.R. 5143, the District of Columbia Policing Protection Act."
The legislation proposes repealing Subtitle S of the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 and replacing it with new policies. These changes would empower police officers to pursue suspects fleeing in vehicles under certain conditions.
Comer explained that the current law places restrictions on police pursuits, which he believes has led to fewer criminals being apprehended and more crime affecting both D.C. and surrounding areas. "The 2022 Act imposes burdensome restrictions on police pursuit of criminal suspects," Comer said.
He continued: "This has resulted in less justice for victims of crime in Washington, D.C. and more opportunities for criminals who would otherwise be apprehended to continue harming D.C. and surrounding communities."
The proposed replacement policies would allow officers or supervisors to authorize vehicular pursuits if deemed necessary, effective, and without unreasonable risk to bystanders. According to Comer: "This bill replaces Subtitle S with policies that allow for vehicular pursuit of a suspect fleeing a motor vehicle if the office or supervisor deems it necessary, the most effective means of apprehension, and without unreasonable risk to bystanders."
Comer also acknowledged Rep. Higgins’ role in introducing the bill: "I thank Representative Higgins for his leadership on this critical local policing reform legislation and urge my colleagues to support this bill."
James Comer has represented Kentucky’s 1st district in Congress since 2016 after succeeding Ed Whitfield (https://comer.house.gov/about). Before serving in Congress, he was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2001 to 2012 (https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=C001108). Born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972, Comer now lives in Tompkinsville at age 50 (https://www.rollcall.com/2023/02/28/the-many-lives-of-james-comer/). He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University in 1993.
