Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9759: Turn the Tide Act

The Turn the Tide Act primarily increases federal funding for substance use disorder treatment, prevention, and recovery services, directing billions of dollars to states, tribes, and local organizations for the years 2027 through 2030. Key provisions include expanding Medicaid coverage for mental health and behavioral health services, removing insurance barriers to medication-assisted treatment, and limiting cost-sharing requirements for opioid overdose reversal medications. The bill also establishes new grant programs to support recovery housing, train first responders, and assist law enforcement with mental health and wellness initiatives. Additionally, it targets funding toward states with the highest rates of drug overdose deaths and extends existing waivers to improve Medicaid delivery systems in those areas.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds substance use disorder treatment and removes barriers to medication-assisted treatment, addressing root causes of crime and supporting rehabilitation.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases federal funding for substance use disorder treatment, expands Medicaid coverage, and removes insurance barriers to essential medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9800: Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act

The Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act prohibits federal agencies from buying, using, or contracting for automated surveillance systems that rely on license plate recognition, facial recognition, biometric identification, or other technologies designed for mass tracking. It also prevents state, local, and tribal governments from using federal funds to acquire or operate these same surveillance tools. If federal agencies obtain data in violation of these rules, the law requires them to delete the information within 30 days and bars its use as evidence in any court or administrative proceeding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts mass surveillance tools to protect civil liberties and enhance police accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts the use of surveillance technologies like facial recognition and biometric ID by federal and state agencies, limiting their deployment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Emerging Technology

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in committee · United States · House Jul 20, 2026

HR 9793: Weaponization Offender Claims Ban Act of 2026

The Weaponization Offender Claims Ban Act of 2026 restricts the ability of certain individuals to file civil lawsuits under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Specifically, it bars private citizens from bringing these claims if they have been convicted of crimes such as assaulting federal law enforcement officers, interfering with federal elections, obstructing government processes, or committing felonies involving theft or misuse of federal funds. This provision applies regardless of whether the convicted person has received a pardon or had their sentence commuted. The bill directly affects individuals with these specific criminal convictions who might otherwise seek legal redress against the federal government.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts civil lawsuit rights for convicted individuals, limiting access to legal remedies and reducing accountability for law enforcement misconduct.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · House Jul 20, 2026

HR 9775: Concealed Crime Prevention Act

The Concealed Crime Prevention Act amends Washington, D.C. law to impose stricter prison sentences for individuals who wear ski masks or similar head coverings that conceal their identity while committing a crime. This provision specifically targets balaclavas and comparable gear while explicitly excluding religious headwear from the definition. Under the new rules, anyone found guilty of a misdemeanor while wearing such a mask faces a mandatory minimum of six months in prison, and those convicted of a felony face a mandatory minimum of two years. These additional sentences must be served consecutively to any other prison time given for the underlying offense and apply to crimes committed on or after the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory minimum sentences and expands criminalization of identity concealment, restricting judicial discretion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Aug 31, 2026

HRES 1430: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R.185) to advance responsible policies.

This resolution allows the House of Representatives to immediately consider and pass H.R. 185, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which strengthens rules for releasing government documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The bill empowers state attorneys general and victims to sue the U.S. Attorney General in federal court if they believe records are being unlawfully withheld, redacted, or delayed, while also requiring courts to expedite these legal cases. It mandates that victims receive unredacted copies of records pertaining to them and grants state law enforcement full access to previously sealed or classified materials for their investigations. Additionally, the law imposes criminal penalties on federal officials who conceal or falsify records and requires Members of Congress to receive unredacted documents within seven days of requesting them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens transparency and accountability in handling government documents related to a high-profile criminal case, empowering victims and attorneys general to challenge unlawful record withholding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4966: High Court Gift Ban Act

The High Court Gift Ban Act prohibits federal judges from accepting gifts from individuals or entities that have a current or potential interest in cases before them. Under this law, judges can only accept items of value from prohibited sources if the gift is worth less than $50 and the total value from that source in a calendar year does not exceed $100. The bill includes specific exceptions for gifts from relatives, other judges, honorary degrees, public events, and certain professional organization benefits. Violations of the ban can result in civil penalties of up to $50,000 or criminal charges including fines and imprisonment. The Supreme Court and the Judicial Conference are required to create regulations within 180 days to enforce these new restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill strengthens judicial integrity by prohibiting gifts from litigants, reducing conflicts of interest and enhancing public trust in the court system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9773: Permanent Trump Secure Border Act

This bill, known as the Permanent Trump Secure Border Act, introduces significant changes to U.S. immigration law affecting asylum seekers, border security, and family detention policies. It tightens asylum eligibility by establishing a "safe third country" rule that bars individuals who transited through other nations without seeking protection there, while simultaneously expanding the list of criminal convictions that disqualify applicants from asylum. The legislation also restricts employment authorization for asylum seekers, limits the use of parole for humanitarian reasons, and mandates the return of land border arrivals to contiguous foreign territories when detention capacity is unavailable. Additionally, the bill clarifies standards for family detention, expands penalties for visa overstays, and modifies protections for unaccompanied children by requiring faster hearings and limiting special immigrant status for those unable to reunite with parents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts asylum eligibility and expands criminal disqualifications, limiting access to justice and reducing protections for vulnerable populations.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts asylum eligibility, bars transit without protection, and expands disqualifying criminal convictions, limiting immigrant access to services and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Border Security Refugees & Asylum Work Authorization

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9716: PRIVACY Act

The PRIVACY Act restricts Federal law enforcement agencies from accessing surveillance data collected by State or local agencies without a warrant issued by a Federal judge. It establishes a "Jurisdictional Wall List" maintained by the Attorney General that includes technologies like automated license plate readers and long-range microphones, prohibiting the use of Federal funds to purchase these specific devices. While the bill allows for limited exceptions in emergencies or with consent, it mandates strict rules on data retention, requiring agencies to delete most collected information within 30 days unless it becomes evidence in an active prosecution. Additionally, the legislation bans the use of this data to monitor individuals exercising First Amendment rights and requires regular reporting to Congress on how these surveillance tools are utilized.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts federal law enforcement access to surveillance data and limits funding for specific monitoring technologies, thereby reducing investigative capabilities and limiting the scope of criminal justice operations.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects data privacy by restricting warrantless access to surveillance data and limiting funding for specific surveillance technologies.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill restricts funding for surveillance technologies like license plate readers, which are critical for traffic enforcement and public safety on roads.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4998: Fourth Amendment Restoration and Protection Act of 2026

The Fourth Amendment Restoration and Protection Act of 2026 restricts how U.S. intelligence agencies can surveil and use information about American citizens. It prohibits officials from conducting electronic surveillance, physical searches, or data collection specifically targeting United States persons under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and Executive Order 12333. Additionally, the bill bans government agencies from using search terms related to Americans to query intelligence databases and generally forbids using such collected information as evidence against those individuals in legal proceedings. The only exception allows an American citizen who was surveilled to use that same information in their own defense during a criminal, civil, or administrative case.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts government surveillance of citizens, protecting civil rights and enhancing oversight of intelligence agencies, which aligns with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts government surveillance and protects data privacy, directly supporting digital rights and technology safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4977: REDACT Act

The REDACT Act allows individuals whose private information was improperly disclosed in documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act to sue the federal government. This law creates a private right of action that lets victims file civil lawsuits against federal officers or agencies if they fail to redact personally identifiable information or medical files that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If a victim wins the lawsuit, they can receive damages of at least $50,000 for each violation, plus reimbursement for legal fees and court costs. The act also waives the United States' sovereign immunity for these specific cases and sets a five-year deadline for filing such claims, with the provisions taking effect on November 19, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by allowing lawsuits against federal officers for privacy violations, a key indicator of supporting criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy by creating a private right of action to sue for improper disclosure of private information, protecting individuals from unwarranted invasions of privacy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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