Republicans in the U.S. Congress passed two bills meant to strengthen law enforcement policies in Washington, D.C., while most Democrats voted against the provisions.

One bill was called the D.C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe Act, or DC CRIMES Act, and restricts the ability of local officials to change sentencing laws. Also included was a provision that changed the threshold for easing punishments against young criminals from 25 to 18 years old.

'We believe in investing in solutions that make people safer, not political stunts or short-term gimmicks or cheap tough talk.'

The second bill allows for suspects as young as 14 years old to be charged as adults for certain crimes. That bill passed by a vote of 225 to 203, while the DC CRIMES Act passed by a vote of 240 t

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