This is news to almost everyone.

I support D.C. Statehood and home-rule – but I don’t support some of the changes D.C. Council put forward over the Mayor’s objections – such as lowering penalties for carjackings.

If the Senate votes to overturn what D.C. Council did – I’ll sign it.

— President Biden (@POTUS) March 2, 2023

I’m guessing the ardent left-wingers in the White House took off their socialist shades for a second or two to take a steely-eyed glance at the 2024 election landscape and realized some face-saving was in order.

Perhaps they simply ran the numbers and realized math and prevailing public opinion weren’t in their favor.

Initially, 31 Congressional Democrats crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans on the House bill, so it clearly had asome bi-partisan appeal from the get-go. Yet, Senate Democrats signaled their opposition and Biden had said he opposed rescinding it (not quite threatened a veto flat-out), so there had been little hope of it ever moving forward.

The House passed two bills Thursday that aim to overturn recent changes to the District of Columbia’s criminal code and voter eligibility laws, using a provision in federal law that allows Congress to reject measures passed by the city’s local government.

The first resolution, introduced by Rep. James Comer (R., Ky.) and other Republican lawmakers, would block the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, which expands voting rights in local elections to residents who aren’t citizens. The bill passed 260-162, with 42 Democrats joining Republicans.

The second resolution, introduced by Rep. Andrew Clyde (R., Ga.), would block the implementation of an overhaul of the district’s penal code that updates sentencing guidelines, creates new prosecutable offenses and expands judicial discretion in criminal proceedings. It passed 250-173, with 31 Democrats joining Republicans to pass the measure.

…The bill is seen as having little chance of becoming law due to opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate and the White House.

But as time went on, and more information about the D.C. reforms became public (I covered that looming disaster and the vote in Congress), senators up for reelection, especially in red-leaning states, started to get a little antsy. The thing truly is hard to defend, try as they might.

West Virginia’s Joe Manchin was the first to come out publicly for repealing of D.C. statutes last week.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia told CNN Monday he will vote to rescind a controversial Washington, DC, crime law – which critics argue is soft on violent criminals – when it comes up for a vote in the Senate, likely next week.

Manchin becomes the first Democrat to publicly state support for the Republican legislation, which could be a politically fraught vote for Democrats, especially centrists like him who are up for reelection in red-leaning states.

Manchin’s decision signals the legislation has a good chance of passing in the narrowly divided Senate, where Democrats hold a 51-49 majority. It passed earlier this month in the Republican-controlled House with the backing of 31 Democrats.

“I don’t support it. I mean, I want to put people away, I don’t want to let them out,” Manchin said, addressing concerns that the DC law lowers sentencing requirements for some violent criminals. “I haven’t been briefed on it, but what I know about it, I would vote to rescind it.”

And that phrase from Manchin, “But what I know about it” turned out to be enough to start to pull other wavering Democrats on board as well. One didn’t have to know much about it to know the potential ramifications were really horrific for a city already engulfed in violence.

…Senate Republican Whip John Thune of South Dakota said the issue hits a “political vulnerability” for many Democrats.

“It’s a raw nerve with a lot of the American people. They look at the cities today and they say they’re not safe places. I think it’s a problem for Democrats to oppose something that would make some of our larger population centers more safe,” Thune said. “My expectation is that some Democrats here in the Senate would vote for it. Then it would be up to Biden about what he wants to do.”

Complicating the senate math for Democrats is John Fetterman’s absence. In light of that, people like Cory Booker can posture all they want…

…Biden’s decision puts Senate Democrats in a difficult position. Opinion polls show the public is broadly opposed to “defunding the police” and other criminal-justice proposals floated in response to police brutality, but many Democrats also oppose the U.S. Congress’ ability to interfere with the city’s affairs.

…The measure would need a simple majority in the 100-seat Senate to pass.

Democratic senators are split on the proposal, with several saying they do not want to override local government even if they think the changes are a bad idea.

“I take very seriously this idea that we would be dictating to the city, which is doing a lot to try to create a safer environment,” said Democratic Senator Cory Booker.

…but if it’s true that Democratic senators are “split” on the issue? Then that simple majority for passage is a given, as Republicans most assuredly are not divided.

Liberal tears already have the comments under Biden’s tweet awash in remorse for Biden’s apparent willingness to crush D.C.’s home rule and statehood dreams. No words of concern for the safety of the citizens who live there or the folks who head to work every day.

Classic.

This would be a big get for McCarthy and Co. if this makes it to Biden’s desk and an even bigger one for capitol residents.

Hope it works out.