H.R. 5140 · 119th Congress · House

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.

In Congress· Received in the Senate.
Introduced
Sep 4, 25
Passed House
Sep 16, 25
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive 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.

Action Timeline

15
  1. SEP 17, 2025Senate

    Received in the Senate.

  2. SEP 16, 2025House floor actions

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. SEP 16, 2025House floor actions

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #271

    225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)

    225Yea
    203Nay
    0NV
  4. SEP 16, 2025Library of Congress

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #271

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)

    225Yea
    203Nay
    0NV
  5. SEP 16, 2025House floor actions

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H4346)

  6. SEP 16, 2025House floor actions

    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, 2025House floor actions

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  8. SEP 16, 2025House floor actions

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.

  9. SEP 16, 2025House floor actions

    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, 2025House floor actions

    Considered under the provisions of rule H

    Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)

  11. SEP 15, 2025House floor actions

    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, 2025House committee actions

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.

    26Yea
    19Nay
    0NV
  13. SEP 10, 2025House committee actions

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  14. SEP 04, 2025House floor actions

    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

  15. SEP 04, 2025Library of Congress

    Introduced in House

Committees

1

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: Sep 10, 2025

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