Contact Congress about H.R. 5015: To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to extend the emergency period during which the President may exercise control over the Metropolitan Police Department.

The President could keep control of D.C.’s local police for up to six months during an emergency. Current law limits that control to 30 days. The bill also applies the longer limit to emergencies already declared before it becomes law.

Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to extend the emergency period during which the President may exercise control over the Metropolitan Police Department. is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Latest action on H.R. 5015: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects D.C. residents, D.C. local leaders, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the President. It matters most when the President declares an emergency under the D.C. Home Rule Act and takes control of D.C.’s local police. It could also affect people who attend protests, public events, or other large gatherings in Washington, D.C., depending on how that emergency power is used.

Why this matters: This bill matters because it could shift control of D.C.’s local police from local leaders to the President for much longer during an emergency. That could change how Washington, D.C. handles security threats, unrest, major events, or other crises. It also raises questions about D.C. self-government, public safety, civil rights, and accountability. The real effect would depend on how often Presidents use this power and what kinds of emergencies they use it for.

Key provisions in H.R. 5015

• The President could control D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department during an emergency for up to 180 days, instead of 30 days.
• The bill changes section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act, the part of the law that covers this emergency police-control power.
• The bill replaces the section’s “thirty days” wording with “180 days” and its “thirty-day” wording with “180-day.”
• The new 180-day limit would apply to emergencies the President had already declared under this section before the bill became law, not only to future emergencies.
• The bill does not give the President a brand-new power. It makes an existing emergency power over D.C. police last longer.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 5015

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 5015

What is H.R. 5015?

The President could keep control of D.C.’s local police for up to six months during an emergency. Current law limits that control to 30 days. The bill also applies the longer limit to emergencies already declared before it becomes law.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 5015?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 5015?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on H.R. 5015?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.