Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · United States · Senate May 20, 2026

S 4608: Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act

The Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act bans the imposition of the death penalty for any federal crime committed on or after the date the law takes effect. It directly affects individuals currently facing or serving federal death sentences by requiring that all such cases be resentenced to a penalty other than death. This legislation removes the death penalty as a sentencing option for federal offenses and mandates a review for those already sentenced to die before the bill becomes law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill eliminates the death penalty, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce harsh sentencing and protect civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Jun 2, 2026

HR 9095: Right to Trial Act

The Right to Trial Act modifies federal sentencing guidelines to ensure that defendants are not penalized for exercising their constitutional right to a trial rather than accepting a plea deal. It requires judges to consider whether a mandatory minimum sentence would effectively punish a defendant for going to trial, particularly when compared to the sentences of similarly situated individuals who pleaded guilty. Additionally, the law grants courts the authority to impose sentences below statutory minimums specifically to protect this right. These changes directly affect federal criminal defendants and the judges who determine their punishments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects defendant rights by preventing punishment for exercising trial rights, aligning with criminal justice reform and civil liberties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9066: Community-Based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crimes Act of 2026

This bill establishes a $30 million grant program over five years to fund community-based organizations working to prevent and address hate crimes. The funds can be used for various initiatives, including conflict resolution strategies, non-carceral sentencing programs, public education campaigns, and support services for victims and defendants. Eligible recipients must be nonprofits embedded within communities targeted by hate crimes that provide educational, health, and social services. Additionally, the legislation removes a specific spending limit on grants for criminal investigations and prosecutions related to these crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds community-based organizations for conflict resolution, non-carceral sentencing, and victim support, directly advancing criminal justice reform and rehabilitation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Apr 28, 2026

HR 8549: Second Look Act of 2026

The Second Look Act of 2026 allows federal courts to reduce prison sentences for individuals who have served at least 10 years in custody for offenses carrying a term of more than 10 years. To qualify, a defendant must demonstrate that they are no longer a danger to the community and are ready to reenter society, with special consideration given to those aged 50 or older who face a legal presumption in their favor for release. The process requires a formal application, a hearing where evidence regarding rehabilitation and age-related decline in criminality is presented, and the appointment of a lawyer for those who cannot afford one. If approved, the court may shorten the prison term while maintaining the original period of supervised release, and the United States Sentencing Commission will publish annual reports on the number of people granted or denied these reductions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes criminal justice reform by allowing sentence reductions and encouraging rehabilitation for long-term inmates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8940: Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act

The Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act bans the imposition of the death penalty for any federal crime committed after the law takes effect. It also requires that individuals currently sentenced to death under federal law be resentenced to a different punishment. This legislation directly affects the federal criminal justice system by eliminating capital punishment as a sentencing option.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill eliminates the death penalty, aligning with criminal justice reform efforts to reduce harsh sentencing and protect civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 8951: Zero Tolerance for Fraudsters Act of 2026

The Zero Tolerance for Fraudsters Act of 2026 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals convicted of specific federal fraud offenses involving large sums of money. This legislation directly affects people charged with crimes such as making false statements to the government, mail fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud. Under the new rules, anyone convicted of these crimes who involved at least $1 million but less than $5 million would face a minimum of one year in prison, while those involved with $5 million or more would face a minimum of five years. The bill sets these floors only when the existing laws for a specific crime do not already require a longer sentence, ensuring that serious financial fraud results in significant incarceration time.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory minimum sentences for fraud offenses, which restricts judicial discretion and expands punitive measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Apr 28, 2026

HR 8547: 'Directly Impacted Child Rehab and Safety Act

This bill, known as the Directly Impacted Child Rehab and Safety Act, modifies federal laws to adjust how children are processed within the juvenile justice system. It raises the minimum age for federal juvenile delinquency proceedings from 12 to 13 and increases the age threshold for transferring older juveniles to adult criminal court from 15 to 16, with specific exceptions for serious violent crimes. The legislation also requires courts to consider factors such as a child's exposure to trauma and their role in an offense before deciding on transfers or sentencing. Additionally, the bill mandates the collection of detailed statistics on children in federal custody and authorizes grants to help state agencies better coordinate between child welfare and juvenile justice systems to support vulnerable youth.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill raises minimum age for juvenile proceedings and limits adult court transfers, promoting rehabilitation and reducing harsh penalties for minors.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Sentencing Tags Children

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in committee · United States · House May 7, 2026

HR 8678: Zero Tolerance for Political Violence Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Zero Tolerance for Political Violence Act of 2026, proposes to increase the mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals who attempt to assassinate specific federal officials. The legislation directly impacts anyone attempting to kill the President, Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, and members of Congress. Under the new provisions, a conviction for such an attempt would result in a minimum of 25 years in prison or life imprisonment. These changes amend existing federal statutes to enforce stricter penalties uniformly for designated targets.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory minimum prison sentences and expands criminalization, which aligns with indicators for opposing criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · United States · House May 7, 2026

HR 8685: Protect the Presidency Act

The Protect the Presidency Act amends federal law to allow for the death penalty as a punishment for assassinating certain high-ranking government officials. This change directly affects the sentencing guidelines for crimes involving the killing of the President, Vice President, or other protected individuals under Title 18 of the United States Code. Previously, the maximum penalty for such offenses was imprisonment, but this legislation adds the option of execution to the list of potential punishments. The bill modifies existing statutes without creating new criminal offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding the death penalty for specific crimes, increasing mandatory severity and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 4446: PRESS Act

The PRESS Act amends federal law to make it illegal to manufacture or distribute specific equipment used to produce drugs if the seller knows it will be used for unlawful importation into the United States. This legislation targets items such as tableting machines, encapsulating machines, and gelatin capsules, extending criminal liability to manufacturers and distributors involved in the supply chain for illegal drug production. Violators of these provisions face potential fines and prison sentences ranging from ten to twenty years, depending on the type of chemical involved and the quantity of equipment. Additionally, the bill requires the United States Sentencing Commission to update federal sentencing guidelines to align with these new penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill strengthens criminal justice by expanding liability for drug manufacturing equipment, aiding law enforcement and reducing illegal drug supply.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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