CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

DemocratBill · H.R. 5540· House(119-HR-5540)

Justice for Exonerees Act

Rep. Waters
Age: 88 years
California
Introduced
9/19/2025
Last activity
9/19/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sponsored by
Maxine Waters
Cosponsors
None
Law
  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

The Justice for Exonerees Act seeks to amend title 28 of the United States Code. It increases the penalty for unjust conviction and imprisonment from $50,000 to $70,000. Additionally, the bill requires that this damage amount be adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index.

Yes· 3 of 12

  • Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+6

    Strengthens the remedy available when due process fails and leads to wrongful conviction.

  • Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?+5

    Increases the financial remedy for those wrongfully convicted and imprisoned.

  • Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4

    Provides higher financial compensation for victims of wrongful conviction who often lack other resources.

The opposite

  • Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1

    Increasing payouts for exonerees slightly increases government expenditure.

  • Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1

    The bill increases the amount of money the government must pay to exonerees.