H.R. 5140: 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.
Sponsor
Brandon Gill
Republican · TX-26
What H.R. 5140 does
H.R. 5140 would lower to 14 the age at which a minor can be tried as an adult for certain crimes in the District of Columbia. Under current DC law, people under 18 are tried as juveniles in family court, but those 16 or older can be tried as adults for charges such as murder, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree burglary or armed robbery. Those 15 or older can be tried as adults for a felony if it serves the public welfare and there are no reasonable prospects for rehabilitation.
The bill would lower the minimum age in these cases to 14.
How the House voted
Passed · September 16, 20258 Democrats broke with their party to vote yes
Henry Cuellar
Donald Davis
Laura Gillen
Jared Golden
Susie Lee
Dave Min
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
Eugene Vindman1 Republican broke with their party to vote no
Thomas MassieOn Passage: H R 5140 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 · Roll no. 271 · Official record
HR5140 Legislative Journey
Sent to Senate
Sep 17, 2025
Received in the Senate.
House: Passed 225-203
Sep 16, 2025
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
+8 more actions this day
House: Committee Action
Sep 15, 2025
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.
House: Vote: 26-19
Sep 10, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
House: Committee Action
Sep 4, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
About the Sponsor
Brandon Gill
Republican, Texas' 26th congressional district · 1 years in Congress
Committees: the Budget, the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform
View full profile →
Cosponsors (6)
All 6 cosponsors are Republicans. Cosponsors represent 6 states: Florida, Louisiana, Montana, and 3 more.
Committee Sponsors
Oversight and Government Reform Committee
3 of 47 committee members cosponsored
23 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 5140 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Oversight and Government Reform
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Introduced
- Sep 4, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Sep 17, 2025
H.R. 5140 Bill Text
“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.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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