WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 5143 · 119th Congress

District of Columbia Policing Protection Act of 2025

Passed HouseCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedSep 4, 2025
Passed HouseSep 17, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 18, 2025: Received in the Senate. The House passed it 245–182. In the House, Iowa's representatives split: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn did not vote. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 5143 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as passed by the House (Sep 17, 2025).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Vehicular pursuits by law enforcement officers in District of Columbia
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    District of Columbia Policing Protection Act

    This bill repeals restrictions on the circumstances under which law enforcement officers in the District of Columbia (DC) may engage in vehicular pursuits (i.e., police chases) of suspects fleeing in motor vehicles, and instead generally requires such pursuits in the absence of other means of apprehension.

    Currently, pursuant to DC's Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, law enforcement officers generally may not engage in vehicular pursuits of suspects fleeing in motor vehicles unless the officer reasonably believes (1) the suspect was involved in a crime of violence or poses an immediate and serious threat to another person, (2) the pursuit is necessary to prevent that threat and is not likely to result in death or serious injury to any person, and (3) all other options have been exhausted or are unreasonable given the circumstances.

    The bill repeals these restrictions and instead requires law enforcement officers to engage in vehicular pursuits of suspects fleeing in motor vehicles unless the officer or a higher-ranking officer reasonably believes that (1) such pursuit would be futile, (2) the pursuit would entail an unacceptable risk of harm to a person other than the suspect, or (3) the suspect can be apprehended more effectively or expeditiously by other means.

    The bill also requires the Department of Justice to report to Congress on the costs and benefits of DC’s Metropolitan Police Department adopting technology that alerts the public of an active police pursuit in their immediate vicinity.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Sep 4, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. Sep 18, 2025Received in the Senate.Senate
    2. Sep 17, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    3. Sep 17, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 245 - 182 (Roll no. 275). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4379) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
    4. Sep 17, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 245 - 182 (Roll no. 275). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4379) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    5. Sep 17, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4395)House floor actions
    6. Sep 17, 2025POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 5143, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill, and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Garcia (CA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
    7. Sep 17, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
    8. Sep 17, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5143.House floor actions
    9. Sep 17, 2025Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015 and H.R. 3062. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015, and H.R. 3062 under a closed rule, and provides for a motion to recommit on each measure.House floor actions
    10. Sep 17, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4379)House floor actions
    11. Sep 15, 2025Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 707 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015 and H.R. 3062. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015, and H.R. 3062 under a closed rule, and provides for a motion to recommit on each measure.House floor actions
    12. Sep 10, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 20.House committee actions
    13. Sep 10, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
    14. Sep 4, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.House floor actions
    15. Sep 4, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
    16. Sep 4, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. Sep 17, 2025 · HousePassed 245–182
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn did not vote
      On Passage · needed a majority
      R 216 yes, 0 noD 29 yes, 182 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    • Byron Donalds R-FL-19
    • Joe Wilson R-SC-2