Rules Committee · Sep 16, 2025
H.Amdt. 104: Its purpose is not yet published.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
Brandon Gill (R-TX)
To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age.
H.R. 5140 · House bill Crime and Law Enforcement
A Republican bill with 6 Republican cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 225–203
- Awaiting Senate
What this bill would do
This bill aims to lower the age at which a minor can be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia. It proposes changing the age from sixteen to fourteen years of age. Specifically, it amends the District of Columbia Official Code regarding jurisdiction and transfers to criminal proceedings. These changes apply to criminal offenses committed on and after the date the act is enacted.
Yes
No question was scored yes.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill reduces the age threshold for children to be processed through the adult criminal justice system instead of the family court system.
- Scored -4
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The bill subjects younger minors to adult criminal proceedings, which typically involves more severe sentencing than family court.
- Scored -3
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill impacts younger adolescents by making them eligible for adult criminal prosecution at age fourteen.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the bill This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President. Passed 225 yes · 203 no
09/16/2025 · Roll call 271 · recorded as “On Passage”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Lowering age for exclusion from Family Court jurisdiction: This provision changes the age from sixteen to fourteen in Section 16-2301 (a)(1) of the District of Columbia Official Code.
-
Lowering age for transfer to criminal proceedings: This provision changes the age from fifteen to fourteen in Section 16-2307(a)(1) and from sixteen to fourteen in Section 16-2307(a)(2) of the District of Columbia Official Code.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are detailed in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill reduces the age threshold for children to be processed through the adult criminal justice system instead of the family court system. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill impacts younger adolescents by making them eligible for adult criminal prosecution at age fourteen.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill subjects younger minors to adult criminal proceedings, which typically involves more severe sentencing than family court.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — By lowering the age for transfer to adult court, the bill moves younger individuals away from the specialized protections of family court jurisdiction.
- 9/17/2025
- Received in the Senate.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/16/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 5140, 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.
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
- 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.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2025
- Rules 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/10/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
- 9/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Introduced in House
Tim BurchettRepublican · Tennessee
Troy DowningRepublican · Montana
Clay HigginsRepublican · Louisiana
Anna Paulina LunaRepublican · Florida
Elise StefanikRepublican · New York
Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina