Garbarino Introduces the Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02), introduced the Protecting Our Nation's Capital Emergency Act, legislation aimed at restoring due process rights for Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers and addressing crime in Washington, D.C. Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) joined as an original cosponsor of the bill.

As recently as 2023, D.C. was rated the fifth deadliest city in America. The city saw nearly 200 homicides in 2024. As Congress works to improve public safety in our nation's capital, ensuring MPD has the manpower and support necessary to maintain law and order is critical.

"For too long, radical legislatures in cities like Washington and New York have pushed policies that undermine law enforcement, making it harder for officers to do their jobs effectively and discouraging new recruits from stepping up to serve. Congress has a duty to ensure MPD can effectively combat crime and keep Washingtonians safe. The Protecting Our Nation's Capital Emergency Act takes a necessary step toward restoring fairness in the disciplinary process and ensuring MPD officers have the protections they need to serve with confidence. It's time to reject harmful policies that weaken public safety and stand firmly with the men and women who keep our nation's capital secure," said Rep. Garbarino.

"A few years ago, local officials in Washington implemented laws that increased crime and stripped law enforcement officers of their collective bargaining and due process rights. Now, law enforcement officers in Washington have to decide - continue to put their lives on the line without any protection or quit. We can't afford to lose any more good officers, which is why we are taking action. The Protect Our Nation's Capital Emergency Act will reinstate collective bargaining and due process rights for Washington's police force, ensuring we recruit and retain highly qualified officers to protect our nation's capital," said Rep. Stauber.

The Protecting Our Nation's Capital Emergency Acthas received endorsements from law enforcement organizations, including the DC Police Union, the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), and the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA).

"We thank Congressman Garbarino for reintroducing this critical legislation to undo the reckless and dangerous anti-police policies led by out-of-touch D.C. City Councilmembers Phil Mendelson and Charles Allen. These radical measures have reduced MPD by over 800 police officers and fostered an environment where officers feel they have no support while doing their job. This legislation sets to ensure our officers have the support needed to combat violent crime, restore law and order, and keep residents and visitors safe in our nation's capital," said Gregg Pemberton, Chairman of the DC Police Union

Specifically, this legislation would:

• Restore collective bargaining rights for MPD officers on disciplinary matters, reversing provisions from the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 that stripped these rights.
• Reinstate a statute of limitations on disciplinary cases to prevent indefinite investigations that undermine officer retention and recruitment.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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