President Biden informed Senate Democrats in a closed-door meeting Thursday that he won't veto legislation blocking the Washington, D.C., Council's move to soften crime laws.
Following the meeting, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., confirmed the president's plans to sign the bill once it gets to his desk.
In February, the House approved the resolution — which was introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga. — in a 250-173 vote which garnered Republican and Democratic support. A companion bill introduced by Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., is expected to pass the Senate in upcoming days.
"If enacted, the Council’s dangerous legislation will embolden violent criminals — threatening the well-being of both Washingtonians and visitors at a time of heightened crime in our nation’s capital," Clyde said on Feb. 10 after the House passed his bill.
"My resolution sends a clear message to the Senate, the White House, and the American people that the People’s House rejects soft-on-crime policies that jeopardize Americans’ safety and security. I thank my colleagues for supporting and passing this commonsense resolution in order to ensure all Americans can safely enjoy our nation’s capital city."
The Associated Press first reported Biden's decision to not veto the legislation.
