Bill · S. 4608· Senate(119-S-4608)
Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act
- Introduced
- 5/20/2026
- Last activity
- 5/20/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2417-2418; text: CR S2418)
- Sponsored by
- Richard Durbin
- Cosponsors
- - 16 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act," aims to stop the use of the death penalty for federal crimes. It mandates that no person can be sentenced to or put to death for any violation of Federal law after the act is passed. Additionally, the bill requires that any person who was sentenced to death before the act's enactment must be resentenced.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?+8
The bill prohibits future death sentences and requires the resentencing of individuals currently on federal death row.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill impacts the criminal justice system which disproportionately affects Black Americans.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill impacts the criminal justice system which disproportionately affects Hispanic Americans.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prohibition of new death sentences: No person may be sentenced to death or put to death for any violation of Federal law on or after the date of enactment (Section 2(a)). This would prevent the imposition of the death penalty moving forward.
-
Resentencing of current death row inmates: Any person sentenced to death before the date of enactment must be resentenced (Section 2(b)). This provides a change in legal status for those currently facing the death penalty for federal violations.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are listed in the provided text.
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 African Americans+5Good For Asian Americans+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Native Americans+5Good For White Americans+5Good For People With Disabilities+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform+8
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+5
- 5/20/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2417-2418; text: CR S2418)
- 17 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts