Bills · 119th Congress · Crime and Law Enforcement

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.

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Roll calls on this bill

Votes on passage
HouseOn Passage · 9/16/25PassageThe vote on whether this chamber approves the measure — usually by a simple majority of those voting. It becomes law only once both chambers pass the same text and the president signs it, or Congress overrides a veto.House: The Legislative Process ↗
Passed
  • Democratic8 Yea · 202 Nay · 3 Not voting
  • Republican216 Yea · 1 Nay · 1 Not voting
  • Independent / Other1 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)

This bill lowers the age at which an individual may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia (DC) to 14 years of age.

Under current DC law, an individual who is under 18 years of age is tried as a juvenile in family court. However, an individual who is 16 years of age or older may be tried as an adult if the individual is charged with murder, first-degree sexual abuse, burglary in the first degree, robbery while armed, or assault with intent to commit any such offense. Additionally, an individual who is 15 years of age or older may be tried as an adult if the individual is alleged to have committed a felony and it is determined that (1) it is in the interest of the public welfare to try the individual as an adult, and (2) there are no reasonable prospects for the individual's rehabilitation.

The bill lowers the minimum age to be tried as an adult in these cases to 14 years of age.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Brandon Gill ( Republican · TX-26)
Cosponsors
6
Introduced
9/4/25
Policy area
Crime and Law Enforcement
Status
9/4/25Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
9/4/25Introduced in House
9/10/25Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
9/10/25Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
9/15/25Rules 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.
9/16/25Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9/16/25On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
9/16/25Passed/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)
9/16/25Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)
9/16/25POSTPONED 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.
9/16/25The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
9/16/25DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
9/16/25Rule 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.
9/16/25Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
9/17/25Received in the Senate.