Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 17, 2025

S 149: Public Safety First Act

This bill amends immigration law to require the immediate detention of certain non-citizens who are charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admit to committing specific crimes - including burglary, theft, shoplifting, assault on police officers, or crimes causing death/serious injury. It directly affects non-citizens facing these offenses by expanding mandatory detention under existing immigration rules. The key provision requires the Homeland Security Secretary to issue a detainer and take custody of such individuals if not already detained by authorities, using definitions of crimes based on the jurisdiction where the offense occurred.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands mandatory detention for specific crimes, increasing enforcement without reform, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates immediate detention for non-citizens convicted of specific crimes, increasing enforcement and restricting liberties under immigration rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 9, 2025

S 1370: GOSAFE Act

The GOSAFE Act prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices (those holding more than 10 rounds). It defines gas-operated firearms as those using gas pressure to cycle the action and requires the Attorney General to publish a list of prohibited firearms within 180 days. The bill includes exemptions for single-shot weapons, muzzle-loaders, firearms with permanently fixed magazines under 10 rounds, and certain other specific types. Manufacturers must now seek approval for new semi-automatic firearms through a process requiring detailed documentation, and the bill establishes a Firearm Safety Trust Fund to cover administrative costs. Violations of these provisions can result in fines up to $5,000 or up to 12 months in prison.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits high-capacity firearms to enhance public safety, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing gun violence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · United States · Senate Nov 7, 2025

S 3167: No Troops in Our Streets Act of 2025

This bill gives Congress the power to end military deployments for domestic law enforcement by requiring a specific joint resolution of disapproval with precise details about location, duration, and legal authority. It amends existing law to explicitly allow Congress to terminate exceptions to the Posse Comitatus Act (which restricts military involvement in civilian policing) and National Guard activations under Section 12406. The bill includes $900 million for state/local law enforcement in fiscal year 2026 - split between community violence prevention, emergency aid, and hiring officers - to support the shift away from federal military involvement. It directly affects federal military operations, state/local governments, and Congress's ability to override executive decisions on troop deployments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $900M for state/local law enforcement funding, directly supporting public safety budget allocations under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts military involvement in domestic policing, aligning with civil rights protections and reducing militarization of law enforcement under criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · United States · House Oct 8, 2025

HR 5721: Protect Our Judiciary Act of 2025

HR 5721, the Protect Our Judiciary Act of 2025, amends federal law to prohibit protests near judicial buildings. It makes it illegal to picket, parade, or use loud vehicles like sound trucks near buildings occupied by judges, jurors, witnesses, or court officers. Violators face fines or up to one year in prison. The bill directly affects individuals engaging in demonstrations near these locations, expanding existing restrictions to specifically include noise-making devices and other public demonstrations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects judicial buildings from protests, directly safeguarding court operations (a core criminal justice function), thus supporting the system by ensuring smooth functioning.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Judges

Track

in committee · United States · House Jun 17, 2025

HR 4024: Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act

HR 4024, the Filling Public Safety Vacancies Act, allocates $162 million in federal funds for law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire additional officers under the Safe Streets Act. This funding directly affects state and local law enforcement agencies that receive grants under the program. Key provisions require agencies using these funds to conduct mandatory background checks and psychological evaluations for new officers, with the grant money covering these costs. The bill focuses on providing resources for officer recruitment while establishing specific hiring requirements for agencies utilizing the funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $162M federal funds for law enforcement hiring, directly funding public safety services under government spending.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $162M for law enforcement hiring with mandatory background checks and psychological evaluations, enhancing officer accountability and public safety within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Firearms Law Enforcement Tags Public Safety

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passed · United States · House Sep 16, 2026

HR 2978: GUARD Act

HR 2978, the GUARD Act, allows state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to use existing federal grant funds for investigating elder financial fraud, "pig butchering" investment scams, and general financial fraud. The bill directs these funds toward hiring specialized staff, training on blockchain tools and transnational fraud, purchasing investigative software, improving data collection, and creating financial sector liaisons to coordinate with banks. It requires annual reports from law enforcement on fund usage and outcomes, and mandates federal agencies to submit comprehensive reports to Congress on scam statistics, enforcement actions, and funding allocation. The legislation directly affects law enforcement agencies and aims to strengthen efforts against fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly elderly individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds specialized law enforcement for financial fraud investigations, strengthening investigative capacity within criminal justice enforcement.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds blockchain tools and cybersecurity training for fraud investigations, enhancing digital security measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Data Privacy Emerging Technology

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 26, 2025

S 2196: Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025

This bill expands federal protections for domestic violence and stalking survivors by broadening key definitions. It adds current and former dating partners to the definition of "intimate partner" and includes their children under domestic violence protections. The bill also creates a new federal definition for "misdemeanor crime of stalking" that explicitly includes causing fear for a victim's pet, service animal, or emotional support animal, and prohibits firearm possession for those convicted of such stalking offenses. These changes directly affect survivors of dating violence and stalking, as well as individuals convicted of misdemeanor stalking under federal, state, or tribal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands federal protections by broadening definitions of intimate partners and stalking to include pets/service animals, strengthening victim safeguards within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · United States · Senate Aug 2, 2025

S 2680: LETITIA Act

The LETITIA Act (S 2680) increases penalties for public officials convicted of bank fraud, falsifying loan/credit applications, or falsifying tax filings. For a first or second offense, public officials face fines up to $1.5 million and prison terms of 1-35 years (up from $1 million and 30 years), while third or subsequent offenses carry fines up to $2 million and prison terms of 5-40 years. The bill defines "public official" broadly to include federal, state, and local government employees or representatives acting in their official capacity. It also requires the Justice Department and Treasury to issue new investigative guidelines within 90 days for prosecuting these offenses involving public officials.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for public officials committing financial crimes, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · United States · House Mar 18, 2025

HR 2194: Ending Drug Trafficking in Our Communities Act

This bill reauthorizes the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, providing $400 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to support federal efforts in designated high-drug-trafficking regions. It requires the program director to identify and develop evidence-based "promising practices" for HIDTA programs, focusing on tracking drug trafficking sources, coordinating multi-level responses to drug-related crimes, and implementing substance use disorder prevention strategies. These practices must be reviewed for effectiveness and shared with all HIDTA regions starting in 2026. The bill directly affects HIDTA-designated communities and federal agencies managing drug enforcement coordination.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds HIDTA program with evidence-based substance use disorder prevention, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 3, 2025

S 1937: Visa Overstay Penalties Act of 2025

S 1937, the Visa Overstay Penalties Act of 2025, increases penalties for nonimmigrant visa holders who exceed their authorized stay. It raises civil fines for visa overstays from $50-$250 to $500-$1,000 per violation and adds up to 2 years in jail for repeat offenses or prior convictions. The bill directly affects temporary visa holders (like students or workers) who accumulate 10+ days of unauthorized stay beyond their visa terms. Key changes include explicit penalties for failing to maintain visa status or comply with conditions, with doubled fines for repeat violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for visa overstays (fines and jail time), expanding criminalization and increasing sentences - opposing criminal justice reform trends that reduce penalties.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationIncreases civil fines and jail time for visa overstays, directly restricting immigrant compliance and enforcement against temporary visa holders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Detention Enforcement Work Authorization

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