House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code

A seemingly abrupt decision by President Joe Biden not to veto a bill that would block Washington, D.C.'s new criminal code has left House Democrats and their staff frustrated by what they view as poor coordination and communication from the White House.

The president told Democratic senators about his decision during a lunch on Capitol Hill Thursday, and his staff notified House Democratic leadership staff at approximately the same time — even though the president had just spent the prior evening with House Democrats. 

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents Washington, D.C., as a nonvoting delegate, only found out about Mr. Biden's decision when reporters asked her about the his remarks during a press briefing with the Congressional Black Caucus during the Democratic retreat.