Bill · H.R. 5214· House(119-HR-5214)
District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 9/8/2025
- Last activity
- 11/20/2025 — Received in the Senate.
- Sponsored by
- Elise Stefanik
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Awaiting Senate
What this bill would do
The District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025 requires mandatory detention before trial and after conviction for individuals charged with dangerous crimes or crimes of violence. It modifies the definitions of burglary and robbery to specify first-degree offenses or those involving dangerous weapons. Additionally, the bill mandates the use of secured appearance bonds, or cash bail, for individuals charged with public safety or order crimes. These public safety crimes include offenses such as rioting, stalking, and obstruction of justice. The act applies to individuals charged with offenses in the District of Columbia starting 30 days after its enactment.
Yes
Would people in cities be better off under this?+4
Aims to increase public safety and reduce crime in the urban environment of D.C.
Does this give the federal government more power?+4
The federal government is intervening in the local judicial codes of the District of Columbia.
Would business owners be better off under this?+3
Increased focus on preventing property destruction and rioting may benefit local business owners.
The opposite· 3 of 10
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-8
Mandatory secured bonds create a significant financial barrier to pretrial release for the poor.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-7
The removal of judicial discretion for pretrial detention limits individual due process considerations.
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?-6
The bill removes judicial discretion for pretrial release, leading to more mandatory detention.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the billPassed 237–179
This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.
11/19/2025 · Roll call 298 · recorded as “On Passage”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Public Safety: By requiring mandatory pretrial detention for those charged with dangerous crimes or crimes of violence, the bill aims to keep these individuals off the streets before their trial (Section 2(a)).
-
Accountability for Public Order Offenses: The requirement for a secured appearance bond for public safety or order crimes, such as rioting or destruction of property, ensures a financial incentive for individuals to appear in court (Section 3(a) and 3(b)(1)).
-
Surety Enforcement: The bill allows sureties to arrest individuals who are released on a bond and fail to appear, ensuring they are promptly delivered to a United States marshal (Section 3(a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Removal of Judicial Discretion: Judicial officers are required to order detention for anyone charged with a crime of violence or a dangerous crime, removing the ability to consider individual circumstances for pretrial release (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Financial Burden for Low-Level Offenses: Individuals charged with "public safety or order crimes," which include some forms of burglary or robbery not involving dangerous weapons, must provide a secured appearance bond (money or property) to be released, which may be a burden for those without financial means (Section 3(a)(1) and 3(b)(1)).
-
Stricter Detention Rules: The bill removes certain murder offenses and crimes of violence from standard pretrial release procedures, limiting the options for those seeking release while awaiting trial (Section 2(e)(1) and 2(e)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Low Income Households-8Good For African Americans-5Good For Hispanic Americans-5Good For Immigrants-4Good For Students-3Good For Young Adults-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform-6Improves Racial Equity-5Improves Poverty Reduction-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4Improves Due Process-7
| Updated | Bill | Title | Policy Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 months ago | On agreeing to the Rules amendment (A001) Agreed to without objection. |
- 11/20/2025
- Received in the Senate.
- 11/19/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 179 (Roll no. 298). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4796)
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 179 (Roll no. 298). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4796)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4805-4806)
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 5214, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Garcia (CA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5214.
- Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 879. (consideration: CR H4796-4800)
- 11/18/2025
- Rule H. Res. 879 passed House.
- 11/17/2025
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 879 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.
- 9/30/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-315.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 269.
- 9/10/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
- 9/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
John JamesRepublican · Michigan
Tim MooreRepublican · North Carolina
Troy NehlsRepublican · Texas