Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 15, 2026

S 545: Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act places xylazine - a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit drug mixtures - into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, subjecting it to federal regulation as a controlled substance. It specifically allows veterinary use without requiring registration of the ultimate user (e.g., pet owners or veterinarians) if xylazine is dispensed by a registered veterinarian or pharmacy with a vet prescription and used for animals owned by the user, under their care, or in authorized animal programs. The bill provides a one-year delay for labeling and packaging requirements and a 60-day delay for registration and recordkeeping for veterinary use to ease implementation. Additionally, it adds xylazine to the Arcos tracking system for controlled substances and mandates two congressional reports on illicit use prevalence within 18 months and 4 years of enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill regulates illicit drug xylazine to combat drug-related crimes, strengthening law enforcement and public safety through controlled substance regulation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill regulates xylazine in illicit drugs to address public health threat, aligning with public health program protection under healthcare topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2025

HR 4140: Burma GAP Act

HR 4140, the Burma GAP Act, requires the U.S. to prioritize accountability for genocide and crimes against humanity committed against Rohingya in Myanmar. It establishes a U.S. Special Representative for Burma to coordinate international sanctions, support Rohingya protection efforts, and advance transitional justice, with specific funding authorizations of $5 million annually for atrocity investigations and $4 million for evidence collection. The bill directs the State Department to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh through humanitarian aid, gender-based violence prevention, education, and legal assistance, while promoting durable solutions like safe repatriation and citizenship rights. It mandates annual reports to Congress on U.S. efforts to address atrocity risks, document crimes, and advance accountability, directly affecting Rohingya communities, the Burmese military junta, and U.S. foreign assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes accountability mechanisms, funding for atrocity investigations, and transitional justice efforts related to Rohingya genocide, supporting criminal justice principles.85% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 22, 2025

HR 613: ATF Transparency Act

HR 613, the ATF Transparency Act, requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to improve transparency and speed for firearm transfer and manufacturing applications. It mandates that applicants denied a transfer due to background check issues receive their NICS transaction number, can appeal denials through a formal process, and may submit information to prevent future errors - plus, successful appellants get reimbursed for reasonable attorney fees. The bill also sets a strict 90-day deadline for ATF to approve or deny applications; if not decided within that time, the application is automatically approved. This directly affects individuals and businesses seeking to legally transfer or manufacture firearms who face delays or denials under current background check procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances ATF transparency and provides appeal mechanisms for denied firearm transfers, strengthening oversight and protecting civil rights within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SRES 270: A resolution designating June 6, 2025, as National Naloxone Awareness Day.

This resolution designates June 6, 2025, as National Naloxone Awareness Day to raise public awareness about naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. It urges federal, state, local governments, and organizations to improve access to naloxone and educate communities on its use, without creating new laws or funding. The resolution focuses on recognition and education, not policy changes or mandates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeNaloxone access reduces overdose deaths, indirectly supporting public health and reducing burden on criminal justice system by preventing drug-related fatalities.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDesignates National Naloxone Awareness Day to improve access to opioid overdose reversal medication through education, aligning with healthcare support via public health awareness without new mandates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SRES 597: A resolution providing for the authority to initiate litigation for actions by the President and Department of Justice officials inconsistent with their duties under the laws of the United States.

SRES 597 is a Senate resolution authorizing the U.S. Senate to initiate or join a federal lawsuit against the Department of Justice for failing to fully comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act (Public Law 119-38), which required the complete release of all Epstein-related documents by December 19, 2025. The resolution directs the Senate Majority Leader to file the lawsuit to compel the DOJ to release unredacted documents meeting the Act's requirements, covering legal costs from Senate appropriations. This action follows the DOJ's release of only about 12,000 documents (less than 1% of files) by the deadline, along with misrepresentations about the volume and completeness of the release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes DOJ accountability and transparency regarding Epstein documents, enhancing oversight of law enforcement and protecting civil rights through judicial enforcement.75% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 6, 2025

HR 1088: Restoring American Sovereignty Act

Restoring American Sovereignty Act This bill allows U.S. foreign aid funding paused pursuant to Executive Order 14169 to be used by the President to deport non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who do not have legal standing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables deportation of non-citizens without legal standing, which strengthens immigration enforcement and border security aspects of criminal justice.75% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill authorizes using foreign aid funds for deporting non-citizens without legal status, directly increasing enforcement against immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · United States · House Sep 30, 2025

HR 5618: Housing PLUS Act of 2025

This bill changes how federal homeless assistance funds are distributed. It prevents the government from blocking grants to programs that require supportive services (like job training or addiction treatment) for residents, or that set occupancy conditions (such as sobriety requirements), and protects faith-based organizations from exclusion. At least 50% of funds must go to grantees offering wraparound services, and the government must report annually to Congress on compliance. It directly affects homeless assistance providers receiving McKinney-Vento funds. The bill focuses on funding rules, not new services or outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens homeless assistance by requiring wraparound services and protecting faith-based organizations, which can reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation outcomes for justice-involved individuals.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 50% of homeless funds for wraparound services including addiction treatment and mental health support, directly advancing healthcare access through housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 50% of homeless funds for wraparound services, prevents blocking of supportive housing grants, and addresses homelessness through funding expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Homelessness

Track

in committee · United States · House May 16, 2025

HR 3473: Humane Accountability Act

HR 3473, the Humane Accountability Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to submit detailed reports to Congress about immigration detentions and facility conditions. It mandates specific data on detention numbers, removals, locations (including sensitive sites like schools), and incidents of abuse, medical care, or deaths in custody. The bill also requires advance notice to Congress before using non-traditional detention sites (such as military bases or tribal lands), including justification, capacity, and compliance plans. These reports aim to increase transparency for detainees, their families, and Congress regarding detention practices. The bill directly affects immigration detention facilities, immigrant detainees, and federal agencies managing immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances oversight and accountability for immigration detention facilities, requiring detailed reporting on abuse, medical care, and deaths in custody, which aligns with protecting civil rights and improving correctional oversight.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationMandates detailed reporting on detention conditions, abuse, and medical care to improve oversight and protect detainee rights, aligning with immigrant rights protection indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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passed · United States · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SRES 55: A resolution recognizing January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month".

SRES 55 is a Senate resolution designating January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month." It formally recognizes the value of mentoring relationships in supporting youth development, highlighting benefits like improved academic outcomes, mental health, career exploration, and reduced juvenile delinquency. The resolution encourages expanding mentoring programs in communities, schools, and workplaces to address the "mentoring gap" where one-third of U.S. youth lack consistent mentorship. As a symbolic measure, it aims to raise public awareness and promote cross-sector collaboration without creating new laws or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes mentoring programs to reduce juvenile delinquency, which directly addresses criminal justice reform by preventing youth from entering the justice system.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes mentoring programs in schools for improved academic outcomes and addresses 'mentoring gap,' encouraging expansion to support youth development within education context.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 221: Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2025

This bill would extend U.S. customs enforcement authority from 12 to 24 nautical miles from shore. It amends the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Anti-Smuggling Act to align enforcement zones with existing international law limits (as established by Presidential Proclamations 5928 and 7219). Currently, customs agents can only act within 12 miles, but the bill would allow enforcement in the contiguous zone up to 24 miles to provide more time for interdiction. Congress states this change addresses modern vessel speeds, enabling U.S. Customs and Border Protection to better prevent violations of customs, fiscal, or immigration laws. The policy directly affects CBP operations in coastal waters.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands customs enforcement authority to combat smuggling, strengthening law enforcement capabilities and border security within criminal justice framework.75% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationExpands customs enforcement zone to 24 miles, enhancing border interdiction efforts, directly increasing federal immigration enforcement capabilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Border Security

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