WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Dr. Oye Owolewa (D-D.C.) issued the following statement condemning the new Congressional Overreach in Washington, D.C.

“Once again, Congress is showing its contempt for democracy by trying to strip DC residents of the rights every other American community takes for granted. These bills are nothing short of an assault on our people. They would overturn the will of DC voters, silence our locally elected leaders, and criminalize our most vulnerable neighbors.

Let’s be clear: replacing our elected Attorney General with a presidential pick is a slap in the face to every voter in this city. Proposals to prosecute 14-year-olds as adults, criminalize people for sleeping in their cars, and bring back cash bail are not just bad policies, they are cruel, dangerous, and designed to punish rather than protect. Giving Congress the power to pick apart DC’s budget is nothing but political overreach at its worst.

This is colonialism in 2025. Congress is trying to control a city it does not represent and does not respect. But we refuse to be silenced. DC residents know what’s best for DC. We will not allow lawmakers who don’t live here, don’t vote here, and don’t answer to us to dictate our future.

Our message to Congress is simple: take care of your own house and leave ours alone. We will continue to fight until DC has full autonomy and statehood, because our democracy, our dignity, and our future depend on it.”