Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4177: COPS Act

HR 4177, the COPS Act, increases penalties for assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal law enforcement officers. It raises fines for such offenses from up to $200,000 to $500,000 and extends prison sentences from 8 to 10 years for basic assaults, and from 20 to 25 years for assaults involving explosive materials. This bill directly affects individuals who physically confront or obstruct federal officers, including police, border patrol, and other federal personnel. The changes apply to offenses under Title 18, United States Code, Section 111.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting federal officers, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing and expanded criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · United States · House Jul 29, 2025

HR 4783: COP Act of 2025

HR 4783, the COP Act of 2025, prohibits federal funding for any law enforcement agency that employs a non-citizen as a law enforcement officer. This directly affects state and local police departments or agencies that receive federal grants, requiring them to ensure all sworn officers are U.S. citizens to maintain funding eligibility. The key mechanism is a strict funding cutoff: agencies violating this rule would lose access to federal financial support. The bill focuses solely on altering federal funding eligibility based on officer citizenship status, with no additional provisions or exceptions described.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDefunds agencies employing non-citizen officers, restricting law enforcement staffing policies and funding access per bill's explicit funding cutoff mechanism.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts non-citizen employment in law enforcement, limiting immigrant access to police roles and aligning with enforcement restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Citizenship & Naturalization Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House Jan 16, 2025

HR 503: Qualified Immunity Act of 2025

This bill codifies qualified immunity standards for law enforcement officers under federal law. It specifies that individual officers cannot be held liable in civil suits if they demonstrate either that the constitutional right at issue was not clearly established at the time of the incident, or that a prior court ruling already confirmed the conduct was lawful. Local government agencies also cannot be held liable if the officer is found not liable under these standards and was acting within their job duties. The law applies to all federal, state, tribal, and local officers with arrest powers, including police officers. The changes would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCodifies qualified immunity, reducing officer liability and weakening accountability oversight for law enforcement misconduct.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 212: POLICE Act of 2025

This bill amends immigration law to make non-citizens subject to deportation if convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first responder while they were performing official duties, due to their duties, or because of their status. It defines "assault" under local law and expands "law enforcement officer" to include those preventing, investigating, or prosecuting crimes. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland Security to annually report the number of such deportations to Congress and the public. The policy directly affects non-citizens convicted of qualifying assaults against covered personnel, with no new enforcement mechanisms beyond existing deportation procedures.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by mandating deportation for non-citizens assaulting law enforcement, increasing penalties for such offenses under criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationExpands deportation for non-citizens assaulting law enforcement, restricting immigrant protections and increasing enforcement under immigration law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House Jan 3, 2025

HR 31: POLICE Act of 2025

This bill adds a new deportation ground for non-citizens convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer under specific circumstances. It makes deportation mandatory if the assault occurred: (1) while the officer was performing duties, (2) because of their duties, or (3) due to their status as an officer. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland Security to annually report the number of deportations under this provision. It directly affects non-citizens convicted of such assaults, not U.S. citizens or law enforcement personnel.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory deportation for assaulting officers expands criminalization and increases penalties, contradicting reform indicators like reduced recidivism or defendant rights.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates deportation for non-citizens assaulting police, increasing immigration enforcement and restricting immigrant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House Sep 30, 2025

HR 5624: No Funding for Lawless Jurisdictions Act

This bill withholds federal grant funding from states or local governments that implement specific policies. It prohibits funding for jurisdictions with laws that substantially limit cash bail for certain serious crimes (like violent offenses or public disorder) or allow felony convicts to be released without bail. It also blocks funding for cities classified as "urbanized areas" that reduced police budgets (unless due to a general budget shortfall). The policy directly affects local governments and states that adopt these specific approaches to criminal justice or law enforcement funding. The bill modifies two existing federal grant programs to enforce these eligibility rules.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds jurisdictions with policies limiting bail or reducing police budgets, directly restricting government spending and federal appropriations.95% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill defunds jurisdictions implementing bail reform (limiting cash bail for serious crimes) and police budget reductions, directly opposing common criminal justice reform policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2025

S 2278: Graham Hoffman Act

This bill creates a new federal crime for assaulting first responders (like police, firefighters, and paramedics) causing serious injury or death, with enhanced penalties. It specifically applies when the assault involves interstate travel, weapons that crossed state lines, or interference with the responder's work affecting commerce. Penalties include up to 10 years in prison for serious injury, or life imprisonment if death occurs, kidnapping, or an attempt to kill happens. Federal prosecution requires Attorney General certification unless states decline jurisdiction or fail to adequately address the crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new federal crime with enhanced penalties for assaulting first responders, expanding criminalization. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of increased penalties and expanded criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 16, 2025

S 122: Qualified Immunity Act of 2025

This bill (S 122) codifies qualified immunity for law enforcement officers under federal law, specifically amending Section 1983 of the Revised Statutes. It directly affects federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement officers with arrest powers, including police officers and agents of law enforcement agencies. The key provision states officers cannot be held liable in civil lawsuits unless the constitutional right they allegedly violated was "clearly established" at the time of the incident, or a prior court ruling found the specific conduct lawful. This creates a clearer legal standard for holding officers accountable while shielding them from liability for reasonable mistakes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCodifies qualified immunity, making it harder to hold law enforcement liable for civil rights violations, weakening accountability and oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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