District of Columbia Policing Protection Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-5143
Sponsor: Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
Introduced: 2025-09-04 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
District of Columbia
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2025-09-04
text: 

District of Columbia Policing Protection Act

This bill repeals restrictions on the circumstances under which law enforcement officers in the District of Columbia (DC) may engage in vehicular pursuits (i.e., police chases) of suspects fleeing in motor vehicles, and instead generally requires such pursuits in the absence of other means of apprehension.

Currently, pursuant to DC's Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, law enforcement officers generally may not engage in vehicular pursuits of suspects fleeing in motor vehicles unless the officer reasonably believes (1) the suspect was involved in a crime of violence or poses an immediate and serious threat to another person, (2) the pursuit is necessary to prevent that threat and is not likely to result in death or serious injury to any person, and (3) all other options have been exhausted or are unreasonable given the circumstances.

The bill repeals these restrictions and instead requires law enforcement officers to engage in vehicular pursuits of suspects fleeing in motor vehicles unless the officer or a higher-ranking officer reasonably believes that (1) such pursuit would be futile, (2) the pursuit would entail an unacceptable risk of harm to a person other than the suspect, or (3) the suspect can be apprehended more effectively or expeditiously by other means.

The bill also requires the Department of Justice to report to Congress on the costs and benefits of DC’s Metropolitan Police Department adopting technology that alerts the public of an active police pursuit in their immediate vicinity. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-09-18
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 245 - 182 (Roll no. 275). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4379)
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 245 - 182 (Roll no. 275). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4379: 1)
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4395)
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 5143, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill, and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Garcia (CA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5143.
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015 and H.R. 3062. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015, and H.R. 3062 under a closed rule, and provides for a motion to recommit on each measure.
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4379)
action_date: 2025-09-15
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 707 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015 and H.R. 3062. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015, and H.R. 3062 under a closed rule, and provides for a motion to recommit on each measure.
action_date: 2025-09-10
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 20.
action_date: 2025-09-10
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2025-09-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2025-09-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-09-04
text: Introduced in House