House Subcommittee Hears Support and Concerns for HR 5103 to Codify "DC Safe and Beautiful" Policy

Chairman Tiffany opened the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands by pressing the hearing’s central theme: rising violent crime, vandalism and homeless encampments on federal parkland in Washington, D.C., and a proposal to codify the administration’s approach. The subcommittee heard testimony and argument both for HR 5103 — which would codify Executive Order 14252 and create a District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Commission — and against steps members said could impinge on local authority.

The Department of the Interior’s witness, Robert McClain, director of the Office of Law Enforcement and Security, said the department supports HR 5103 because it “advances a shared goal, ensuring the nation’s capital is clean, safe, and beautiful” and that codifying the executive order would allow DOI to “plan more effectively and invest in long term strategies to work with others to restore and maintain the nation’s capital.” McClain cited Secretary Burgum’s Secretary’s Order 3428 and described the role of the National Park Service and United States Park Police in stewarding the National Mall and other federal lands.

Supporters focused on public‑safety and preservation. Representative Maguire, sponsor of HR 5103, said the bill would institutionalize recent interagency efforts and create a statutory commission to coordinate removal of graffiti, restoration of memorials and clearance of unsafe encampments from federal lands. Gregory Pemberton, president of DC Police Union Lodge 2, and Kenneth Spencer, government affairs chief for the United States Park Police Fraternal Order of Police, described staffing shortfalls for local and federal police and said improved coordination and sustained federal commitment would help protect monuments and visitors.

Opponents and skeptics raised three persistent concerns. Ranking Member Neguse and several Democrats warned HR 5103 could be used to centralize power in Washington and to “whitewash” historical interpretation on park lands; Neguse said he has observed actions that remove references to transgender communities and climate change from park materials. Members also questioned the Department’s choice to send an in‑person witness only for HR 5103 while providing written statements for the other four bills under consideration, creating a gap in oversight questioning for those measures.

Committee members pressed McClain on operational details. He said permits for rallies do not authorize vandalism or violence and that National Park Service and Park Police authorities allow revoking permits and taking law enforcement action if violent conduct occurs. On encampment removals, McClain described coordination with District and social‑service partners and said DOI and the Park Police aim to balance enforcement with humane coordination. He also declined to attribute crime‑trend changes to single enforcement actions but stated DOI has cleared more than 90 encampments and described an environment that, in his view, is “cleaner, safer, [and] more stable” for visitors.

Victims’ testimony accentuated the urgency for some members. Forlicia (Felicia) Cook delivered an emotional account of her grandson’s killing and described years of frustration with prosecutions and sentencing in D.C.; several Republicans invoked her testimony in arguing the capital needs bolder enforcement.

The subcommittee did not take formal votes on HR 5103 during the hearing. Members were reminded that the hearing record remains open for 10 business days and that written questions are due by 5 p.m. Friday, 12/05/2025.

What happens next: The committee may proceed to markup or further hearings; members will review the written record and submit follow‑up questions to DOI and other witnesses.