Washington, DC - Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, welcomed news that the United States Senate considered and passed H.J. Res. 42 on a 56-43 vote. The resolution, which was introduced by Representative Andrew S. Clyde (R-GA) and passed the House last month, disapproves the adoption of the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act (CPJRAA) by the Washington, D.C. City Council. Not only does the CPJRAA prohibit responsible policing, but it also strips D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers of basic employment rights.
“Earlier this year, the D.C. City Council passed a reckless and dangerous bill that, if implemented, would make the streets and neighborhoods of the District less safe and reduce the rights our brave MPD law enforcement officers have as public employees,” said Yoes. “Our nation is facing two crises in law enforcement right now—a spike in violent crime and difficulty in finding new officers and keeping good officers. The D.C. Council’s action exacerbates both of these.”
On 19 January 2023, the D.C. City Council enacted the CPJRAA without the signature of Mayor Muriel E. Bowser. Congress has now acted and has stood strong in support of the brave men and women of law enforcement by passing this disapproval resolution, which protects the rights of thousands of FOP union members to bargain collectively with the city over disciplinary procedures. The right to bargain over discipline is enjoyed by every other public sector union and the proposal would strip the police union—and only the police union—of this right.
The Fraternal Order of Police is the union that represents the men and women of the MPD. The D.C. MPD Labor Committee and the thousands of officers they represent have made it clear to us and to the residents of the city that the CPJRAA would have a dire impact on the department’s ability to recruit and retain officers and, even worse, on their ability to keep residents and visitors safe.
Following the Senate’s vote today, H.J. Res 42 now goes to the President for further action.