In February of this year, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) introduced the Bowser Act.
This was legislation that called for the federalization of Washington, D.C., due to concerns about a rise in violent crime.
The legislation fizzled out rather quickly, but the debate over its merits has been reignited after a member of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was attacked and badly beaten on the streets of the nation's capital.
Rep. Ogles released the information about the act on Feb. 6.
In part, he stated, “The radically progressive regime of D.C. Mayor Bowser has left our nation’s Capital in crime-ridden shambles. Washington is now known for its homicides, rapes, drug overdoses, violence, theft, and homelessness. Bowser and her corrupt Washington City Council are incapable of managing the city.”
The statement continued, “As such, it seems appropriate for Congress to reclaim its Constitutional authority and restore the nation’s Capital. The epicenter of not only the United States Federal Government but also the world geopolitics cannot continue to be a cesspool of Democrats’ failed policies.”
He then added, “That’s why I’ve introduced the Bringing Oversight to Washington and Safety to Every Resident (BOWSER) Act, which would repeal the D.C. Home Rule Act. I am grateful to Senator Lee for his willingness to lead this critical legislation in the Senate.”
Over the weekend, a former DOGE worker, Edward Coristine, saw a young lady being harassed by a group of teenagers.
He intervened on her behalf and wound up being badly beaten, suffering multiple cuts and bruises, several injuries, as well as a concussion.
Local police explained, "The suspects demanded the victim's vehicle and then assaulted one of the victims."
Coristine was lucky that a officers on patrol happened by the area, or things could have been much worse.
After the attack was reported, Lee took no time at all to renew the buzz around the Bowser Act.
He posted to X, "The Constitution already federalizes D.C. We just need Congress to do its job -- and reassert its lawmaking power over our nation’s capital city. My bill, the BOWSER Act, would do that."
President Donald Trump also posted to Truth Social, "Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City."
I expect Democrats to push back on this, but crime in D.C. is a real issue, and it is something that must be addressed. From a conservative perspective, most big cities in this country are run by Democrats and are deemed to be unsafe in that they are home to some of the highest crime rates in the country. When do we say, “Enough?”
