D.C. leaders deny "crime crisis" at congressional hearing

D.C. leaders who appeared before Congress Wednesday rejected Republicans' claims of a "crime crisis" in the nation's capital. Why it matters: The House GOP is dialing up scrutiny of Washington, D.C., painting the Democratic-run city as mismanaged and clashing with local leaders who have long sought statehood. Driving the news: The hearing saw Republicans grilling D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Council member Charles Allen on an increase in carjackings and rising homicides. • The federal lawmakers also called for more D.C. police funding and combatting post-COVID chronic absenteeism, or...