Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HR 9694: Epstein Files Transparency Act II

This bill strengthens the Epstein Files Transparency Act by giving state attorneys general and victims the legal right to sue the U.S. Attorney General if they unlawfully withhold, redact, or delay access to investigation records. It requires the Justice Department to provide unredacted copies of documents to state officials for use in investigations and to victims personally, while allowing redactions only to protect the privacy of other victims. The legislation also mandates that courts expedite these cases, removes common legal excuses for hiding documents, and imposes criminal penalties on federal employees who obstruct compliance. Additionally, it grants Members of Congress the authority to request full access to records and to file lawsuits if the Attorney General fails to comply within a set timeframe.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances transparency and accountability in law enforcement by mandating access to investigation records and allowing lawsuits against the DOJ for withholding evidence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9669: FACT Pilot Program Act

This bill creates a five-year pilot program to provide grants to states and local governments for expanding Forensic Assertive Community Treatment teams. These specialized teams offer intensive, round-the-clock support including mental health care, addiction treatment, and housing assistance to individuals with serious mental illness who are involved with the criminal justice system. The program requires teams to include a mix of psychiatrists, employment specialists, criminal justice partners, and peer specialists with lived experience. Additionally, the legislation authorizes funding for a study by the National Academies to evaluate the program's effectiveness and develop guidelines for scaling it up.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds Forensic Assertive Community Treatment teams to provide mental health and housing support, reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation for individuals in the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates grants to expand Forensic Assertive Community Treatment teams, directly funding mental health services and improving access for individuals with serious mental illness.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds housing assistance for individuals with serious mental illness, directly supporting housing stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Jul 13, 2026

HR 9650: Vessel Identification Protection Act of 2026

The Vessel Identification Protection Act of 2026 strengthens federal laws against tampering with boat identification numbers by making it a crime to knowingly remove, alter, or forge these marks on vessels involved in interstate commerce. This legislation directly affects boat owners, manufacturers, and dealers by prohibiting the use of unauthorized identification numbers and imposing penalties of up to five years in prison or fines for violations. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum prison sentence to ten years for anyone who buys or possesses a vessel knowing its identification number has been illegally altered or removed. Exceptions are made for damage caused by accidents like collisions or fires, and for actions authorized by the Coast Guard.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens federal laws against tampering with vessel identification, enhancing enforcement capabilities and protecting against criminal activity.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens federal laws against tampering with vessel identification numbers, enhancing safety and security for maritime transportation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4773: DASH Act

The DASH Act establishes a new federal rental voucher program specifically for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, providing 250,000 vouchers in 2026 and expanding to 400,000 annually thereafter. This initiative requires public housing agencies to partner with local service providers to offer supportive services such as healthcare, job training, and case management while prohibiting conditions related to sobriety or criminal history for most applicants. The bill also expands rural housing assistance by increasing funding for loans and grants aimed at preserving affordable rental housing for farm laborers and low-income residents in non-metropolitan areas. Additionally, the legislation introduces new tax credits to encourage the construction of affordable housing, including a renters credit for low-income households, a middle-income housing credit, and a neighborhood homes credit for distressed communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new federal rental voucher program, increasing funding for homeless assistance and public housing services.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits criminal history as a barrier to housing, reducing recidivism and supporting criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates public housing agencies to partner with providers to offer healthcare services to homeless individuals, directly improving access and funding support.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill creates a new federal rental voucher program to assist homeless individuals, directly funding affordable housing and addressing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Renters

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in committee · United States · House Jul 15, 2026

HRES 1435: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should ratify the Rome Statute and join the International Criminal Court.

This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the United States ratifying the Rome Statute to become a full member of the International Criminal Court. The bill calls for lifting current sanctions and visa restrictions on ICC personnel and encourages the U.S. to persuade other nations to join the court. It frames joining the court as a way to uphold American values of justice and accountability while allowing the U.S. to influence the court's priorities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill advocates for joining the International Criminal Court to uphold justice and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9665: VA Police Security Enhancement Act

The VA Police Security Enhancement Act expands the authority of Department of Veterans Affairs police officers to include protection of property and ensuring facility security, while also defining the specific areas where they have jurisdiction. To support these expanded duties, the bill requires the VA to create memoranda of understanding with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to facilitate coordination and allows officers to operate off VA property only in specific circumstances like hot pursuit or under a written agreement. The legislation mandates modernization of security measures, including access controls and surveillance systems, and establishes a dedicated funding account for officer employment, training, and security infrastructure that expires after three years. Additionally, the bill strengthens oversight by requiring the VA Secretary to provide Congress with regular reports on staffing, training, and enforcement activities, as well as data on arrests and use of force.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands VA police authority and mandates coordination with law enforcement, enhancing security and operational capacity within the justice system.65% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill enhances security for VA facilities and officers, directly protecting veterans' access to services and infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9688: High Court Gift Ban Act

The High Court Gift Ban Act prohibits federal judicial officers from accepting gifts from sources likely to appear before them, unless the gift is under $50, the total annual value from that source remains $100 or less, or it falls under specific exceptions like gifts from relatives or public events. The law defines a "gift" broadly to include items, services, and reimbursements, while allowing exceptions for personal hospitality within IRS limits and certain professional benefits available to the general public. Enforcement mechanisms include referrals to the Attorney General for violations, which can result in civil or criminal penalties similar to those for other federal ethics breaches. The bill requires the Supreme Court and the Judicial Conference to create implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment to ensure compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances judicial integrity and accountability by restricting gifts, which strengthens public trust in the criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 8823: Putting Patients First by Strengthening Provider Accountability in FECA Act

This bill, known as the Putting Patients First by Strengthening Provider Accountability in FECA Act, aims to improve oversight of healthcare providers who receive payments under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. It directly affects medical service providers, suppliers, and the Department of Labor by introducing a new rule that allows the Secretary of Labor to suspend payments to any provider convicted of fraud in this program, federal health care benefit programs, or similar state programs. The law requires the Secretary to issue regulations to enforce this suspension authority and specifies that the changes will take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens provider accountability by suspending payments for convicted fraud, reinforcing legal consequences for criminal acts.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens provider accountability and prevents fraud, protecting patient rights and ensuring integrity in healthcare benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Jul 13, 2026

HR 9656: Illegal Alien Patient Reporting Act

This bill requires hospitals that receive federal health care funding to ask patients about their immigration status during admission and report the results to government agencies. Under the law, hospitals must include a specific statement on intake forms assuring patients that their answers will not affect their medical care or lead to a law enforcement report unless the patient is suspected of certain crimes. Hospitals must also submit quarterly reports detailing how many patients are citizens, lawful residents, or undocumented, along with the number of individuals who refused to answer or failed to provide proof of their legal status. The legislation prohibits hospitals from sharing personal identifying information with the government while allowing them to exclude non-compliant facilities from federal programs. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual report to Congress analyzing the costs of uncompensated care for undocumented patients and its impact on hospital services.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by mandating immigration status reporting in hospitals, increasing surveillance and restricting privacy rights for patients.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts patient access by requiring immigration status reporting, creating barriers to care and limiting patient rights.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates hospitals report immigration status, increasing enforcement cooperation and restricting access to services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Hospitals

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4891: Preventing Fugitive Fraudsters Act

The Preventing Fugitive Fraudsters Act modifies federal bail rules to restrict international travel for individuals charged with specific financial crimes. Under this legislation, people indicted for offenses such as bank fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, or money laundering proceeds must surrender their passports and stay within the country unless a judge explicitly determines that travel restrictions are unnecessary to ensure they appear in court. This change directly affects defendants facing these charges by adding a new condition to their release that prioritizes preventing them from fleeing the nation. The bill does not alter the underlying criminal laws but instead tightens the requirements for pretrial release to address concerns about fugitives escaping justice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by restricting travel for financial crime defendants to ensure court appearance and prevent fugitive fraud.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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