Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced that H.R. 5143, known as the District of Columbia Policing Protection Act, has passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. The proposed legislation seeks to expand the authority of law enforcement officers in Washington, D.C., specifically allowing them greater ability to engage in vehicular pursuits of suspects.
Currently, DC law limits police chases to cases where a suspect has committed a violent crime or poses an immediate threat of serious harm. The new bill amends the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 by removing these restrictions and granting officers broader authority for pursuits. Additionally, it calls for the implementation of a system to alert nearby residents during active police pursuits.
According to Congressman Higgins, “The legislation supports President Trump’s effort to improve public safety in the nation’s capital, where crime rates have risen due to policies that prevent local law enforcement from effectively performing their duties.”
Clay Higgins is currently serving in Congress representing Louisiana’s 3rd district, having replaced Charles Boustany in 2017 and previously served in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Born in New Orleans in 1961, Higgins now lives in Lafayette.
