Policing and crime
257 bills and resolutions in the 119th Congress. 89 passed a chamber; 6 became law.
How did your members vote on this?
H.R. 393 No Repeat Child Sex Offenders Act
Introduced
Sponsor Anna Paulina Luna (R). 2 cosponsors. Introduced Jan 14, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Violent crime.
H.R. 5070 Federal Police Camera and Accountability Act
Introduced
Sponsor Eleanor Norton (D). 2 cosponsors. Introduced Aug 29, 2025. Matched on its title.
H.R. 5070 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Federal Police Camera and Accountability Act
This bill establishes requirements for federal law enforcement officers to wear body cameras and for federal law enforcement agencies to install video cameras in patrol cars.
H.R. 5172 Strong Sentences for Safer D.C. Streets Act of 2025
Introduced
Sponsor Andy Biggs (R). 2 cosponsors. Introduced Sep 8, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Violent crime.
H.R. 5172 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Strong Sentences for Safer D.C. Streets Act
This bill establishes and increases mandatory minimum sentences of imprisonment for specified crimes in the District of Columbia.
First, the bill mandates a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for first-degree murder (currently, the mandatory minimum sentence is 30 years imprisonment and the maximum sentence is life imprisonment without parole). The bill also repeals provisions that prohibit the sentencing of individuals under the age of 18 to life imprisonment without parole for first-degree murder.
The bill also establishes a mandatory minimum sentence of
• 10 years imprisonment for second-degree murder,
• 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping,
• 25 years imprisonment for first- degree sexual abuse, and
• 25 years imprisonment for rape.
Finally, the bill increases the mandatory minimum sentence for
• first-degree burglary from 5 years to 10 years imprisonment,
• unarmed carjacking from 7 years to 10 years imprisonment,
• armed carjacking from 15 years to 20 years imprisonment, and
• rape with a prior conviction of a crime of violence from 7 years to 30 years imprisonment.
H.R. 7278 Cost of Police Misconduct Act of 2026
Introduced
Sponsor Donald Beyer (D). 2 cosponsors. Introduced Jan 30, 2026. Matched on its title.
S. 2705 Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act
Introduced
Sponsor Marsha Blackburn (R). 2 cosponsors. Introduced Sep 4, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Violent crime.
S. 2705 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act
This bill prohibits the receipt of funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program by a state or local government that has in effect a law or policy that substantially limits cash bail for individuals who are charged with certain criminal offenses that pose a clear threat to public safety and order.
Under the bill, the criminal offenses that pose a threat to public safety and order include criminal offenses involving a violent or sexual act (e.g., burglary, murder, or rape) and offenses that promote public disorder (e.g., looting or vandalism).
S. 3719 National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act.
Introduced
Sponsor Thomas Tillis (R). 2 cosponsors. Introduced Jan 28, 2026. Matched on its title.
S. 3719 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act. [sic]
This bill temporarily directs the Department of the Interior to award a grant to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with operating and enhancing the community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum.
S. 636 Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act
Introduced
Sponsor John Hickenlooper (D). 2 cosponsors. Introduced Feb 19, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Law enforcement officers.
H.R. 1353 Justice for Murder Victims Act
Introduced
Sponsor Thomas Tiffany (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Feb 13, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Violent crime.
H.R. 1353 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Justice for Murder Victims Act
This bill allows a prosecution to be instituted for any federal homicide offense without regard to the time that elapsed between the act or omission that caused the death of the victim and the death of the victim.
H.R. 3439 Defund Cities that Defund the Police Act of 2025
Introduced
Sponsor Brian Fitzpatrick (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced May 15, 2025. Matched on its title.
H.R. 374 DIRECT Act
Introduced
Sponsor Claudia Tenney (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Jan 13, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Law enforcement officers.
H.R. 374 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Diverting IRS Resources to the Exigent Crisis Today Act or the DIRECT Act
This bill rescinds unobligated funds that were provided for Internal Revenue Service enforcement activities by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. It also reallocates the funds to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the salaries and expenses of new agents and officers hired for the security of the southern border.
H.R. 5051 To require members of the Armed Forces performing active service in the District of Columbia in response to an order of the President which relates to crime or civil disturbance in the District of Columbia to participate in a program substantially similar to the Body-Worn Camera Program of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.
Introduced
Sponsor Eleanor Norton (D). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Aug 26, 2025. Matched on its title.
H.R. 5203 To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update directives of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the management of acute sexual assault, and for other purposes.
Introduced
Sponsor Kelly Morrison (D). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Sep 8, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Law enforcement officers.
H.R. 6379 Shadow Wolves Improvement Act
Introduced
Sponsor Juan Ciscomani (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Dec 3, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Law enforcement officers.
H.R. 7699 Tribal Police Department Parity Act
Introduced
Sponsor Dusty Johnson (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Feb 25, 2026. Matched on its title.
H.R. 7699 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Tribal Police Department Parity Act
This bill treats tribal law enforcement agencies in the same manner as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for purposes of accessing firearms.
The National Firearms Act (NFA) generally imposes a tax on the transfer of an NFA firearm; however, specified governmental entities (e.g., federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies) are exempt from this transfer tax. This bill extends this exemption to Indian tribes (and consequently, to tribal law enforcement agencies).
The Gun Control Act (GCA) generally prohibits the interstate shipment of firearms to unlicensed persons, but exempts specified governmental entities from this prohibition. This bill makes Indian tribes (and consequently, tribal law enforcement agencies) eligible to receive firearms interstate.
The GCA also prohibits the transfer or possession of machine guns manufactured after 1986, but exempts specified governmental entities from this prohibition. This bill makes Indian tribes (and consequently, tribal law enforcement agencies) eligible to transfer or possess these machine guns.
H.R. 8010 VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of 2026
Introduced
Sponsor Timothy Kennedy (D). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Mar 19, 2026. Matched on the CRS subject Law enforcement officers.
H.R. 8849 Promoting Police Leadership Act
Introduced
Sponsor Russell Fry (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced May 15, 2026. Matched on the CRS subject Law enforcement officers.
H.R. 8849 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Promoting Police Leadership Act
This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop training curricula or identify existing training curricula for command-level personnel related to leadership and strategic thinking, critical incident response and management, risk management, officer wellness, data analysis and data-driven policing tactics, evidence-based decision-making, and building community trust. The term command-level personnel means state, local, or tribal law enforcement officers whose responsibilities include managing, directing, or overseeing law enforcement operations in a geographic subunit of the jurisdiction.
In developing and identifying curricula, the bill requires DOJ to consult with relevant state and local law enforcement agencies, universities with appropriate enforcement or leadership programs, and other entities. DOJ must also develop a process for certifying training programs that include the curricula.
Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to review and report on the process for developing and identifying curricula and the certification of training programs.
H.R. 8949 Capitol Police Retirement Reform Act of 2026
Introduced
Sponsor James Walkinshaw (D). 1 cosponsor. Introduced May 20, 2026. Matched on its title.
S. 1307 Police Officers Protecting Children Act
Introduced
Sponsor Tim Sheehy (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Apr 4, 2025. Matched on its title.
S. 1307 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Police Officers Protecting Children Act
This bill specifies that certain active and retired law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry concealed firearms are also authorized to possess (or discharge) a firearm in a school zone under federal law.
S. 234 Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2025
Introduced
Sponsor John Kennedy (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Jan 23, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Violent crime.
S. 234 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2025
This bill requires certain state and local prosecutors to report data on criminal referrals and outcomes of cases involving murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, or any offense involving the illegal use or possession of a firearm.
The reporting requirement applies to state and local prosecutors in a jurisdiction that has 360,000 or more persons and receives funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. The report must contain data on
• cases referred for prosecution,
• cases the prosecutor declined to prosecute or refer for diversion,
• cases for which the prosecutor declined to reach a plea agreement,
• cases that resulted in a plea agreement or referral for diversion, and
• offenses the prosecutor did not prosecute due to an internal policy.
If a state or local prosecutor complies with these requirements, the bill requires (1) the Department of Justice to give priority in disbursing Byrne JAG program funds to the local government served by the prosecutor, and (2) the local government to ensure that the prosecutor receives a portion of the funds.
Additionally, the bill prohibits states and local governments from receiving funds under the Byrne JAG program if they have in effect a policy that prohibits the use of cash bail for a defendant in a case involving the illegal use or illegal possession of a firearm.
S. 3094 Pay Our Capitol Police Act
Introduced
Sponsor Ben Luján (D). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Nov 3, 2025. Matched on its title.
S. 3094 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Pay Our Capitol Police Act
This bill provides FY2026 continuing appropriations for the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) to pay and provide benefits for employees who are working during the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, due to a lapse in appropriations.
Specifically, the bill provides the appropriations to the USCP for the pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments otherwise payable on a regular basis to all USCP officers and employees for work performed during the shutdown.
The bill also provides appropriations for payments to USCP contractors who are providing support to USCP officers and employees who are working during the shutdown.
The appropriations are available until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of legislation to provide FY2026 appropriations for the USCP or the legislative branch (including continuing appropriations), or (2) September 30, 2026.
The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.
S. 49 Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act of 2025
Introduced
Sponsor Tom Cotton (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Jan 9, 2025. Matched on its title.
S. 49 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act of 2025
This bill requires sanctions on certain foreign persons associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or Chinese law enforcement institutions, including those seeking to establish a Chinese police presence in the United States.
The bill requires the President to impose visa-blocking sanctions on certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law), including those who are (1) employees of Chinese law enforcement institutions or their immediate family members, or (2) directly associated with a Chinese police or United Front Work Department (UFWD) presence in the United States. (The CCP's UFWD seeks to win support for the CCP from non-CCP groups at home and abroad, with a focus on ethnic-Chinese diaspora communities.)
The President must also impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals or entities that are (1) Chinese law enforcement institutions, their senior leaders, or those acting under the control of such institutions; (2) directly associated with establishing or maintaining a Chinese police presence in the United States; or (3) acting under the control of the UFWD with the intention of covertly monitoring or intimidating those living in the United States.
Additionally, the bill requires the President to prohibit federal agencies from participating in investigations into foreign persons subject to these sanctions unless the investigation is (1) initiated by the U.S. government; or (2) the President determines that such participation is vital to the health, safety, and well-being of U.S. citizens.
S. 5109 Training Rural Law Enforcement Officers Act of 2026
Introduced
Sponsor James Lankford (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Jul 23, 2026. Matched on its title.
S. 625 Veterans Border Patrol Training Act
Introduced
Sponsor Richard Blumenthal (D). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Feb 18, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Law enforcement officers.
S. 625 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Veterans Border Patrol Training Act
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collaborate with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a five-year interdepartmental pilot program, under which DHS must use the DOD SkillBridge Program to train and hire transitioning servicemembers as border patrol agents for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
S. 82 Telework Reform Act of 2025
Introduced
Sponsor James Lankford (R). 1 cosponsor. Introduced Jan 13, 2025. Matched on the CRS subject Law enforcement officers.
S. 82 on Congress.gov(opens in a new tab)Summary by the Congressional Research Service
Telework Reform Act of 2025
This bill establishes additional terms and conditions for executive agency telework policies. It also authorizes agencies to noncompetitively hire qualified covered veterans, military spouses, and spouses of law enforcement officers for remote telework (i.e., full-time telework from an approved alternative worksite).
The bill provides, among other requirements, that agencies
• limit telework agreements to a period of one year,
• review telework agreements at least annually,
• ensure that telework policies address the extent to which telework may be restricted based on performance or disciplinary action, and
• establish systems to confirm that employees are working solely at approved worksites.
The bill also authorizes agencies to noncompetitively appoint veterans, military spouses, and spouses of law enforcement officers with appropriate qualifications to remote telework positions. The authority for hiring spouses of law enforcement officers is a seven-year pilot program.
Further, the bill requires the (1) Office of Management and Budget to issue guidelines to protect the security of information and systems used while teleworking, and (2) the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study comparing the processing time for constituent services provided by agencies as of the study's date with the average processing times in 2019.
H.R. 10653 Police Training and Independent Review Act of 2026
Introduced
Sponsor Steve Cohen (D). 0 cosponsors. Introduced Oct 1, 2026. Matched on its title.