It's a microcosm of the larger debate about changing the nation's criminal justice system. This week, Republicans in the House took steps to block a new criminal code in Washington, D.C. which lowers some maximum criminal penalties. The law passed the city council overwhelmingly, but the Constitution gives Congress oversight of D.C.'s local policies. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: https://to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG
Find more from PBS NewsHour at https://www.pbs.org/newshour
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2HfsCD6

Follow us:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsnews
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/newshour
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/newshour
Facebook: http://www.pbs.org/newshour

Subscribe:
PBS NewsHour podcasts: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/podcasts
Newsletters: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/subscribe