This week has been hectic on the policy front already, and it's only Thursday! See the big news below, including tips from experts on how you can effectively fight DC federalization and "backsliding Democracy."

• House Rushes to Weaken DC Criminal Justice Oversight with Passage of 4 Bills 

• 1,800 Affordable Homes to Be Built Per Commanders Stadium Deal

• Tips for "One Thing You Can Do" to Fight DC Federalization, Rising Authoritarianism

• DC Officials Testify that Congress Should End City Funding Freeze Immediately

Criminal Justice Reform: Despite opposition from Democrats, the House of Representatives passed four bills it claims will lower crime rates in DC but in reality will result in harsher outcomes and higher lifelong harm to young offenders, especially among minority populations. The four bills—which may face higher scrutiny in the Senate—include the DC CRIMES Act to lower the age when young offenders can be tried as youth from 24 to 18; lowering of the age from 16 to 14 for children to be charged as adults for certain violent crimes; removal of the flexibility of judges to give young offenders sentences lighter than mandatory minimums; new power to the U.S. president to appoint DC judges (HR 5125); and amendments to current DC law to allow more police vehicular pursuits within the pedestrian-heavy DC (HR 5143, 60% of such vehicle chases resulted in crashes in the past month). The bills were rushed through the Oversight and Government Reform Committee with no public comment period or input, sent to the floor within six days, and passed with only two days of debate. NASW Metro DC is working on a statement on these bills.

Federal Overreach: What is one thing you can do this week to resist rising authoritarianism and the federal takeover in DC? Speakers at a September 15 Town Hall hosted by DC Councilmember Robert White urged people to call any two House and Senate representatives to oppose all 14 of the proposed bills aimed at “reining in” DC Home Rule. “Educate yourself,” says Dr. Hasanna Tyus, University of the District of Columbia. “Familiarize yourself with the bills and organizations [working on the ground]; take advantage of resources they have. Free DC’s cofounder NeeNee Ty encouraged people to “get to know your neighbors. Keep each other safe. Get in touch with councilmembers and hold them accountable for what’s really going on in the city. Know your rights.” Know your responsibilities, too, and “if you’re sitting in a place of privilege, … get more employers involved in the issue. Employers can help keep workers safe,” advised speakers. Presenters also asked residents to upload video footage of possible human rights infringements and ICE behaviors to FilmThePoliceDC.org, so media and the public can access and share it.

Immigration/City Funding: In congressional testimony today, Mayor Bowser and city officials are pushing Congress again to fix a $1-billion budget error that froze already authorized DC funding, in part to hire 500 police officers and maintain key social programs, among other needs. Her hiring freeze remains in effect until Congress acts. Elected leaders also are expected to draw attention to the high levels of anxiety and fear in immigrant and minority communities that have risen after seeing thousands of people detained, “harassed,” “intimidated,” and racially profiled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agents of federal departments that were deployed during the 30-day “anti-crime emergency.” National Guard and some federal officers have orders to continue to patrol until at least the end of the year.

Affordable Housing/Environmental Justice: Thirty percent of the 6,000 new homes that will be built for the newly approved Commanders new stadium will be earmarked for affordable housing, according to the long-awaited deal passed by City Council Wednesday. Final negotiations also ensured the protection of “heritage trees” and adoption of zero-waste-focused management of the 190-acre site.