House Passes Bill Repealing DC Law on Non-Citizen Voting

Only American citizens should vote — that’s the message the House sent with its latest vote targeting D.C.’s local laws. Lawmakers also backed D.C. police officers with new protections and bargaining rights.

Key Facts:

On June 10, the House passed two bills reversing District of Columbia laws on voting and police policy.
The first bill repeals a 2022 D.C. law that allows noncitizens to vote in local elections; it passed 266–148.
The second bill grants collective bargaining rights to D.C. police and restores a statute of limitations for disciplinary actions; it passed 235–178.
Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) introduced the voting bill, which received support from all Republicans and 56 Democrats.
Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) introduced the police bill, which drew support from 30 Democrats but faced opposition from four Republicans.

The Rest of The Story:

The House exercised its authority under the D.C. “home rule” charter to override two controversial local laws.

One law, passed in 2022, allowed noncitizens to vote in municipal elections.

The House voted to repeal it, with Rep. August Pfluger stating on X, “It’s common sense: Only American citizens should be able to vote in U.S. elections!”

✅ PASSED: My bill to prohibit noncitizens from voting in DC elections just passed the House!

It's common sense: Only American citizens should be able to vote in U.S. elections! pic.twitter.com/AfSYjiyoR6

— Rep. August Pfluger (@RepPfluger) June 10, 2025

The second bill addressed public safety in the capital, restoring collective bargaining rights and a statute of limitations for officer discipline.

“This legislation helps right that wrong by giving MPD the tools and support they need,” said Rep. Garbarino.

However, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) claimed it disregards the D.C. police department’s own disciplinary preferences.

A third D.C.-related bill is up for a vote on June 11, aiming to end D.C.’s status as a sanctuary city — requiring compliance with federal immigration enforcement, except for those who report crimes or cooperate as witnesses.

Commentary:

Let’s be clear: allowing noncitizens to vote in American elections isn’t just reckless — it’s absurd.

A country that values its sovereignty should never let people with no legal allegiance decide local policies or leaders.

Citizenship is the threshold.

Voting is a privilege earned, not a benefit handed out like a flyer.

The people of Washington, D.C., are Americans, and they deserve the same standards applied everywhere else — voting is for citizens.

It’s long past time Congress stepped in to restore sanity.

Washington, D.C.’s city council might treat local elections like experiments, but Congress is right to hold the line and say no.

Likewise, tying the hands of law enforcement during a public safety crisis is dangerous.

The D.C. police force is under-resourced and overburdened.

When policies strip officers of protection and delay justice, criminals win and neighborhoods suffer.

Restoring discipline structures and collective bargaining doesn’t just help police — it helps the public.

It sends a message that law and order matter in the nation’s capital.

The loudest opposition to these reforms isn’t coming from voters but from the D.C. political class who want more power with less accountability.

That’s not democracy — it’s dysfunction.

Ultimately, these bills are about reestablishing guardrails — ensuring that citizenship counts and that law enforcement isn’t undermined by political agendas.