Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4775: Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act

The Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by immediately dismissing any lawsuits currently pending against them that allege harm caused by the criminal or unlawful misuse of their products. The bill defines these protected cases as those where the injury resulted from a third party's illegal actions rather than a defect in the product itself, while explicitly excluding claims involving negligent entrustment, specific federal violations, or design defects. To enforce these protections, the law allows defendants to remove such cases from state courts to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately. Additionally, the legislation preempts state and local laws that attempt to hold these companies liable for product misuse and provides for attorney's fees for defendants who successfully assert their immunity.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill limits civil liability for firearm manufacturers regarding third-party misuse, reducing accountability for public safety harms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 4671: Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2026

The Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2026 increases penalties for individuals who knowingly violate federal laws regarding the possession of firearms by licensed dealers. Specifically, it raises the maximum prison sentence for such violations to 20 years and mandates a minimum of three years in prison if the offense occurs during a burglary of a licensed business. The law also sets a five-year minimum sentence if the violation happens during a robbery. These changes directly affect federal firearms licensees and anyone attempting to illegally possess firearms from them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory prison sentences and expands criminal penalties for firearm violations, restricting due process and enhancing punitive measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · United States · House Dec 3, 2025

HR 4397: Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025

This bill would amend the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987 to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization and prohibit its operations within the United States. It would require the President to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization under immigration law and impose new visa restrictions, including immediate revocation of current visas, for individuals identified as members. The bill mandates annual reports from the Secretary of State identifying Muslim Brotherhood branches worldwide and determining which should be designated as terrorist organizations under existing laws. These provisions would directly affect Muslim Brotherhood members, branches, and affiliated organizations seeking entry to or operating within the United States.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by designating an organization as terrorist, increasing restrictions on individuals and limiting due process rights.75% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates visa restrictions, revocation of current visas, and prohibits Muslim Brotherhood members' operations, directly restricting immigrant access and limiting protections.95% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 25, 2026

HR 7678: Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act

HR 7678, the Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act, prohibits federal funding for state or local databases that track lawfully owned firearms or their owners. The bill allows federal funding for databases recording lost or stolen firearms but bans it for databases listing legal gun ownership. This means states cannot use federal money to create or maintain systems that compile information about legally owned guns. The bill directly affects state and local governments that rely on federal funds for firearm ownership databases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts federal funding for law enforcement databases tracking legal firearms, limiting data collection capabilities for criminal justice agencies.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 27, 2025

S 1162: SHORT Act

The SHORT Act redefines firearm classifications under federal law to remove certain restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns. It eliminates special prohibitions for these weapons when used lawfully, preempts state taxes or registration requirements for them, and requires federal destruction of historical records related to these firearms. The bill directly affects owners of short-barreled rifles and shotguns, as well as state governments that previously imposed separate regulations. Key provisions include revising IRS definitions to exclude shotgun shells from "destructive devices," mandating record destruction within one year of enactment, and blocking state laws targeting these weapons in interstate commerce. These changes aim to standardize federal treatment while removing duplicative state-level barriers.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes federal restrictions on short-barreled firearms, potentially weakening gun control measures and expanding access to weapons that could impact public safety and law enforcement effectiveness.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

passed · United States · House Jan 24, 2025

HR 21: Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

HR 21, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, requires medical staff at abortion facilities to provide the same immediate care and hospital admission to any infant born alive during an abortion as they would for any newborn. It mandates reporting failures to provide this care to law enforcement and imposes penalties of up to 5 years in prison for violations, with harsher penalties for intentional killing. The bill also allows women who undergo abortions to sue for civil damages, including triple the abortion cost, and provides for attorney fees. It defines "abortion" to exclude procedures performed after viability to preserve a live birth. This law directly affects healthcare providers at abortion facilities and creates new federal legal obligations for them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes criminal penalties (up to 5 years) for abortion facility staff failing to provide care, expanding criminalization in abortion context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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passed · United States · House Feb 24, 2026

HR 2189: To modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes.

Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act This bill removes less-than-lethal projectile devices (e.g., certain TASERs) from regulation under the Gun Control Act. The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that (1) is not designed or intended to expel (and may not be readily converted to discharge) commonly used ammunition or projectiles exceeding a velocity of 500 feet per second; (2) is designed and intended to be used in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; and (3) does not accept (and cannot be readily modified to accept) an ammunition feeding device. The bill also requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine whether a device satisfies the definition of a less-than-lethal projectile device within 90 days of a request.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves less-lethal devices from Gun Control Act regulations, weakening oversight of law enforcement tools per 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed · United States · House Feb 10, 2025

HR 29: Laken Riley Act

The Laken Riley Act expands mandatory detention for immigrants convicted of certain property crimes like burglary, theft, or shoplifting by adding these offenses to existing immigration detention criteria. It requires the federal government to issue detainers for such individuals and take custody if not detained by local authorities. The bill also grants state attorneys general standing to sue federal officials in federal court if they believe immigration enforcement actions (like releasing detained immigrants) cause the state financial harm exceeding $100. This creates new legal pathways for states to challenge federal immigration decisions through expedited lawsuits.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands mandatory detention for property crimes, increasing incarceration without reform, opposing criminal justice reform principles by expanding criminalization.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationExpands mandatory detention for immigrants convicted of property crimes, requiring federal detainers and increasing enforcement - directly restricts immigrant liberties via stricter detention policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 1136: DETERRENCE Act

S 1136, the DETERRENCE Act, adds sentencing enhancements for certain federal crimes when committed "knowingly at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or an agent of a foreign government." It applies to existing offenses including kidnapping (up to 10 additional years), murder-for-hire (up to 10 years), stalking (up to 10 years for serious cases), attacks on federal officials (up to 10 years), and threats against presidential staff (up to 10 years). The bill does not create new crimes but increases penalties for specific violations where foreign government coordination is proven. It directly affects individuals convicted under these provisions who are found to have acted with foreign government involvement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds 10-year sentencing enhancements for specific federal crimes involving foreign coordination, increasing mandatory penalties per bill text.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing

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passed · United States · House Jun 27, 2025

HR 875: Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025

HR 875 amends immigration law to make non-citizens with DUI convictions inadmissible (preventing entry) and deportable (requiring removal after entry). It applies to any conviction for driving while intoxicated or impaired under state, tribal, or local law, regardless of whether the offense is classified as a misdemeanor or felony. The bill directly affects non-citizens convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including impairment from other substances. This policy change expands immigration consequences for DUI offenses beyond current standards.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by making DUI convictions grounds for deportation, increasing penalties for non-citizens without reform elements.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill makes non-citizens with DUI convictions inadmissible and deportable, restricting immigration access and enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement

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