Bill · H.R. 10098· House(119-HR-10098)
Restoring the Death Penalty in DC Act
- Introduced
- 8/13/2026
- Last activity
- 8/13/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Nancy Mace
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Restoring the Death Penalty in the District of Columbia Act," aims to allow the death penalty for specific crimes in Washington, D.C. It amends the District of Columbia Official Code to include a new chapter regarding the death penalty. The act lists several crimes eligible for this sentence, including first-degree murder, terrorism, and certain drug distribution offenses. It establishes specific aggravating and mitigating factors that must be considered during sentencing hearings. The bill also outlines procedures for special hearings, the appeals process through the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and methods of execution. These provisions would apply to offenses committed on or after the date the act is enacted.
Yes
No question was scored yes.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?-5
The bill implements the death penalty, which is a significant increase in sentencing severity for several crimes.
Does this change how police departments operate?-3
The bill introduces capital punishment for certain violent crimes rather than reforming policing practices.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?-2
The bill targets individuals with mental disabilities for death penalty consideration, though it includes a specific exception for those unable to understand the sentence.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Specified Crimes: The bill identifies specific high-level offenses, such as murder in the first degree, terrorism, and first-degree child sexual abuse, that would be eligible for the death penalty (Section 23-1701).
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Consideration of Mitigating Factors: During sentencing, the finder of fact must consider mitigating factors, such as a defendant's impaired capacity to appreciate wrongfulness, presence of extreme duress, or mental/emotional disturbance (Section 23-1702(b)).
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Protections Against Execution: The bill explicitly prohibits carrying out a death sentence on women who are pregnant, persons under the age of 18, or those with a mental disability that prevents them from understanding why the death penalty was imposed (Section 23-1706(c)).
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Appeals Process: The act provides a mechanism for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to review sentences to ensure they were not imposed due to passion, prejudice, or arbitrary factors (Section 23-1705).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Imposition of Death Penalty: The bill establishes the death penalty as a potential punishment for various offenses, including murder, terrorism, and drug distribution resulting in the death of a minor (Section 23-1701).
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Aggravating Circumstances: Individuals could face death sentences based on various aggravating factors, such as the crime being committed against a law enforcement officer, being part of a criminal street gang, or committing the offense during a crime of violence (Section 23-1702(a)).
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Methods of Execution: The bill mandates electrocution as the standard method of execution, though it allows for an election of other methods like lethal injection, firing squad, lethal gas, or nitrogen hypoxia (Section 23-1706(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform-5Improves Policing Reform-3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process-2
- 8/13/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House