H.R. 5698 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Oct 6, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryD.C. gains power to grant clemency
This bill lets the District of Columbia make its own rules about when and how to grant clemency for crimes under D.C. law. Clemency means things like pardons, sentence reductions, or forgiveness of fines. Right now, the D.C. government doesn't have full authority over this decision.
How it affects you
If you live in Washington, D.C., this gives your local government more control over its own criminal justice system. People convicted of D.C. crimes could potentially seek clemency through processes set by D.C. lawmakers rather than having those decisions made entirely at a different level.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Oct 6, 2025)
District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act
This bill authorizes the District of Columbia to legislate the terms and conditions under which clemency may be granted for violations of District criminal laws. Under the bill, clemency is defined as a pardon, reprieve, or a commutation of a sentence, or a remission of a fine or other financial penalty.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5698
A BILL
District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act
Sponsor: Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large) · Introduced Oct 6, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 6, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.”