H.R. 5140 Passed the House 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.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26] Introduced September 4, 2025 Cosponsors 6 (6 R) Latest action September 17, 2025

Summary

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

Actions

  1. Sep 17, 2025 Received in the Senate.
  2. Sep 16, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Sep 16, 2025 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
  4. Sep 16, 2025 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)
  5. Sep 16, 2025 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)
  6. Sep 16, 2025 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.
  7. Sep 16, 2025 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  8. Sep 16, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
  9. Sep 16, 2025 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.
  10. Sep 16, 2025 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
  11. Sep 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.
  12. Sep 10, 2025 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.

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