Criminal Justice across the country

in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HRES 1445: Condemning the attack on the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994, and encouraging accountability for the attack.

This resolution condemns the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and expresses sympathy to the victims' families. It highlights the U.S. concern over the decades-long delay in bringing perpetrators, including Iranian officials and Hezbollah operatives, to justice. The text calls for international cooperation to enforce arrest warrants, urges allies to designate terrorist groups, and supports Argentina's recent legal steps to prosecute suspects even if they are not present in the country.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill urges accountability, enforces arrest warrants, and supports prosecution of suspects, directly advancing criminal justice goals.95% confidence

Sponsor Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) · 5 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4967: Stop TNR Act of 2026

The Stop TNR Act of 2026 establishes a formal definition for transnational repression, which covers foreign government efforts to harass, threaten, or harm individuals in the United States, including the use of cyberattacks and artificial intelligence. This legislation mandates that crimes involving such activities face a mandatory sentencing enhancement of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000. To enforce these rules, the bill requires the Attorney General to centralize the oversight of related investigations and prosecutions within the FBI and the National Security Division of the Department of Justice. Additionally, the act directs federal agencies to produce annual public reports detailing incidents of repression and outlines a strategy for using artificial intelligence to investigate and counter these threats.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by defining transnational repression crimes and mandating enhanced sentencing to deter foreign government harassment.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity by defining transnational repression and mandating stricter penalties for cyberattacks and AI misuse.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Artificial Intelligence

Sponsor Adam B. Schiff (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 16, 2026

S 5024: Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act of 2026

The Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act of 2026 expands the definition of a foreign instrumentality under U.S. law to include entities domiciled in covered nations, in addition to those substantially owned by foreign governments. This change directly affects investigations into economic espionage by broadening the scope of organizations that can be legally classified as foreign agents for the purpose of criminal prosecution. By amending the United States Code, the bill ensures that companies based in specific foreign countries are treated with the same scrutiny as those owned by foreign governments when accused of stealing trade secrets. The provision relies on existing definitions of covered nations found in the National Defense Authorization Act to determine which countries are included in this expanded category.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands legal definitions to strengthen economic espionage investigations and prosecution capabilities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens cybersecurity by expanding legal definitions to combat foreign economic espionage and protect national data security.85% confidence

Sponsor John Cornyn (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9759: Turn the Tide Act

The Turn the Tide Act primarily increases federal funding for substance use disorder treatment, prevention, and recovery services, directing billions of dollars to states, tribes, and local organizations for the years 2027 through 2030. Key provisions include expanding Medicaid coverage for mental health and behavioral health services, removing insurance barriers to medication-assisted treatment, and limiting cost-sharing requirements for opioid overdose reversal medications. The bill also establishes new grant programs to support recovery housing, train first responders, and assist law enforcement with mental health and wellness initiatives. Additionally, it targets funding toward states with the highest rates of drug overdose deaths and extends existing waivers to improve Medicaid delivery systems in those areas.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds substance use disorder treatment and removes barriers to medication-assisted treatment, addressing root causes of crime and supporting rehabilitation.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases federal funding for substance use disorder treatment, expands Medicaid coverage, and removes insurance barriers to essential medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

Sponsor Chris Pappas (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9800: Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act

The Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act prohibits federal agencies from buying, using, or contracting for automated surveillance systems that rely on license plate recognition, facial recognition, biometric identification, or other technologies designed for mass tracking. It also prevents state, local, and tribal governments from using federal funds to acquire or operate these same surveillance tools. If federal agencies obtain data in violation of these rules, the law requires them to delete the information within 30 days and bars its use as evidence in any court or administrative proceeding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts mass surveillance tools to protect civil liberties and enhance police accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts the use of surveillance technologies like facial recognition and biometric ID by federal and state agencies, limiting their deployment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Emerging Technology

Sponsor Tim Burchett (R) · 7 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 20, 2026

HR 9793: Weaponization Offender Claims Ban Act of 2026

The Weaponization Offender Claims Ban Act of 2026 restricts the ability of certain individuals to file civil lawsuits under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Specifically, it bars private citizens from bringing these claims if they have been convicted of crimes such as assaulting federal law enforcement officers, interfering with federal elections, obstructing government processes, or committing felonies involving theft or misuse of federal funds. This provision applies regardless of whether the convicted person has received a pardon or had their sentence commuted. The bill directly affects individuals with these specific criminal convictions who might otherwise seek legal redress against the federal government.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts civil lawsuit rights for convicted individuals, limiting access to legal remedies and reducing accountability for law enforcement misconduct.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Sponsor Brittany Pettersen (D)

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 20, 2026

HR 9775: Concealed Crime Prevention Act

The Concealed Crime Prevention Act amends Washington, D.C. law to impose stricter prison sentences for individuals who wear ski masks or similar head coverings that conceal their identity while committing a crime. This provision specifically targets balaclavas and comparable gear while explicitly excluding religious headwear from the definition. Under the new rules, anyone found guilty of a misdemeanor while wearing such a mask faces a mandatory minimum of six months in prison, and those convicted of a felony face a mandatory minimum of two years. These additional sentences must be served consecutively to any other prison time given for the underlying offense and apply to crimes committed on or after the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory minimum sentences and expands criminalization of identity concealment, restricting judicial discretion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

Sponsor Tim Burchett (R)

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 31, 2026

HRES 1430: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R.185) to advance responsible policies.

This resolution allows the House of Representatives to immediately consider and pass H.R. 185, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which strengthens rules for releasing government documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The bill empowers state attorneys general and victims to sue the U.S. Attorney General in federal court if they believe records are being unlawfully withheld, redacted, or delayed, while also requiring courts to expedite these legal cases. It mandates that victims receive unredacted copies of records pertaining to them and grants state law enforcement full access to previously sealed or classified materials for their investigations. Additionally, the law imposes criminal penalties on federal officials who conceal or falsify records and requires Members of Congress to receive unredacted documents within seven days of requesting them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens transparency and accountability in handling government documents related to a high-profile criminal case, empowering victims and attorneys general to challenge unlawful record withholding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

Sponsor Thomas Massie (R) · 5 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4966: High Court Gift Ban Act

The High Court Gift Ban Act prohibits federal judges from accepting gifts from individuals or entities that have a current or potential interest in cases before them. Under this law, judges can only accept items of value from prohibited sources if the gift is worth less than $50 and the total value from that source in a calendar year does not exceed $100. The bill includes specific exceptions for gifts from relatives, other judges, honorary degrees, public events, and certain professional organization benefits. Violations of the ban can result in civil penalties of up to $50,000 or criminal charges including fines and imprisonment. The Supreme Court and the Judicial Conference are required to create regulations within 180 days to enforce these new restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill strengthens judicial integrity by prohibiting gifts from litigants, reducing conflicts of interest and enhancing public trust in the court system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Sponsor Ben Ray Luján (D) · 2 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9773: Permanent Trump Secure Border Act

This bill, known as the Permanent Trump Secure Border Act, introduces significant changes to U.S. immigration law affecting asylum seekers, border security, and family detention policies. It tightens asylum eligibility by establishing a "safe third country" rule that bars individuals who transited through other nations without seeking protection there, while simultaneously expanding the list of criminal convictions that disqualify applicants from asylum. The legislation also restricts employment authorization for asylum seekers, limits the use of parole for humanitarian reasons, and mandates the return of land border arrivals to contiguous foreign territories when detention capacity is unavailable. Additionally, the bill clarifies standards for family detention, expands penalties for visa overstays, and modifies protections for unaccompanied children by requiring faster hearings and limiting special immigrant status for those unable to reunite with parents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts asylum eligibility and expands criminal disqualifications, limiting access to justice and reducing protections for vulnerable populations.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts asylum eligibility, bars transit without protection, and expands disqualifying criminal convictions, limiting immigrant access to services and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Border Security Refugees & Asylum Work Authorization

Sponsor Chip Roy (R)

Track