By Marc A. Levin and Khalil A. Cumberbatch

Congress’s rejection of the D.C. criminal code overhaul comes on the heels of public discontent and valid concerns over violent crime rates, which are declining in most cities but remain well above 2019 levels. While it lost this beltway battle, the District was right to tackle its outdated sentencing laws and should go back to work. In doing so, city leaders still have a chance to satisfy congressional concerns and, most importantly, do more to reduce community violence and recidivism among people returning home from prison.