Updates

January 17, 2023 | Update

Remarks: Criminal Code Veto Override


"Not overriding this veto is akin to endorsing the status quo. I think we can agree that the status quo isn't working."


Councilmember Nadeau made the following remarks before the Council voted 12-1 to override the Mayor's veto of the Revised Criminal Code Act, January 17, 2023.

Video file

"These reforms are long overdue. And not overriding this veto is akin to endorsing the status quo. I think we can agree that the status quo isn't working. People are scared. I know this because I'm out talking to constituents, business owners, parents and youth who want solutions. And some of them, because of the dangerous rhetoric around this legislation, are blaming the Council for the things that are going on in the community. Even sitting here on the dais, after sending back a fact check to a constituent, I got an email saying the Council is causing the crime in our community. This veto is a distraction. The Mayor, of course, knows the Council which passed this unanimously would override the veto. This is political theater to create a perpetual scapegoat, whenever there are issues in the future. 

"At a time when we should all be working together, instead, we’ve got politicians, and even the Washington Post editorial board spreading lies and sowing fear and it’s shameful. Do not believe the hype. The Council is not tying the hands of our law enforcement officials or making crime worse. Since the day I set foot on this Council, we — my fellow colleagues and I — have led with bold initiatives to end violence in our community. We have passed laws, we have had to scrape together funding. And we’ve been working to end crime and violence. We've been met with fear mongering and resistance every step of the way. We’ve been challenged each time and told we have to uphold the status quo.

"No. The status quo is not working.  The public deserves exactly what the council has been advancing — real solutions, fully funded and implemented. I want to thank my colleagues for all their work on these solutions. And to my constituents who are afraid, you do deserve more, you do deserve better, and you deserve real leadership and we are trying to offer that.

"Thank you Mr. Chairman, I support this measure."