Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · House Sep 2, 2026

HR 10231: No Homeless Detention Centers Act

The No Homeless Detention Centers Act prohibits recipients of federal housing funds from forcing homeless individuals to live in government facilities or requiring them to perform labor in exchange for shelter. The bill also bans local and state authorities from punishing people for engaging in basic life-sustaining activities, such as sleeping or resting, on public property. These restrictions apply to actions taken by law enforcement officers or private contractors acting under federal authority. By tying these prohibitions to federal funding, the legislation aims to prevent the use of criminal penalties or involuntary confinement to address homelessness.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill restricts law enforcement authority to enforce anti-camping laws and mandates against detaining homeless individuals, limiting criminal justice powers.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects homeless individuals from forced labor and criminalization of survival activities, directly advancing tenant protections and housing rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Homelessness

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in committee · United States · House Aug 27, 2026

HR 10157: Freedom to Home Distill Act

The Freedom to Home Distill Act would allow individuals to legally produce small amounts of alcohol at home for personal use without paying federal excise taxes or facing criminal penalties. To qualify, a household could distill up to 10 proof gallons per year if it has one adult, or 20 proof gallons if it has two or more adults, provided the spirits are never sold or transferred to others. The bill exempts home distillers from standard business requirements such as registering their equipment and paying taxes, but it mandates that any stills purchased for this purpose must have specific safety features like pressure release valves and a capacity of no more than 50 gallons. These changes would take effect for spirits produced after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill removes criminal penalties for home distillation, effectively decriminalizing an act currently subject to federal enforcement.75% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Apr 24, 2026

HR 8494: To prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from entering into, modifying, extending, or renewing, any contract or intergovernmental service agreement to establish or operate any new immigration detention model, including the use of warehouses, modular facilities, soft-sided structures, tent systems, and processing centers.

This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using federal funds to create or expand new immigration detention facilities, including warehouses, tents, and modular structures. It directly affects immigration enforcement agencies by banning the construction, renovation, or operation of non-traditional detention centers and preventing the transfer of funds to such projects. The legislation requires any money previously allocated for these facilities to be redirected toward affordable healthcare and housing services instead. Effective immediately upon enactment, the ban applies to all existing federal funds and prevents the use of current budgets for establishing or operating alternative detention models.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts immigration detention models by prohibiting funding for new facilities, effectively limiting the scope of immigration enforcement operations.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts immigration detention capacity by banning new facilities, limiting enforcement capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 7346: Drain ICE Act of 2026

HR 7346, the Drain ICE Act of 2026, repeals specific funding provisions (sections 90003 and 100052) from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and cancels all unspent funds allocated under those sections. This bill directly affects ICE’s detention budget by removing existing financial authority for detention operations. It does not change immigration enforcement practices or directly impact individuals; it solely modifies budgetary allocations. The bill focuses on eliminating funding mechanisms, not on policy changes for migrants or enforcement. (Procedural bill; summary limited to 2 sentences as specified.)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds ICE detention budget by repealing specific funding provisions, directly reducing government spending on immigration enforcement operations.95% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes funding for ICE detention operations, which restricts law enforcement capacity and limits correctional infrastructure.75% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationDefunds ICE detention operations by repealing funding provisions, weakening enforcement (explicit defunding of immigration enforcement budget).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 7970: STOP Nitazenes Act

This bill, known as the STOP Nitazenes Act, directs the federal government to permanently classify nitazenes and related synthetic opioids as Schedule I controlled substances, placing them in the same legal category as heroin and fentanyl. The legislation specifically targets a broad range of chemical compounds, including etonitazene and other variants, by defining them as 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids and requiring the Attorney General to publish a list of qualifying substances. Under the bill, any nitazene substance temporarily scheduled under emergency provisions would be made permanently scheduled upon enactment, ensuring long-term federal control. The law also mandates that the Attorney General issue implementing rules within one year, allowing for immediate interim enforcement while providing opportunities for public comment before final regulations are established.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by classifying synthetic opioids as Schedule I, increasing federal enforcement scope and restricting access to potentially less harmful alternatives.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill classifies nitazenes as Schedule I substances, restricting access to treatment and limiting healthcare options for patients with opioid use disorder.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Sep 16, 2025

HR 5415: Nitazene Control Act of 2025

This bill permanently bans nitazenes and all structurally related synthetic opioids under federal law, creating a broad definition that covers numerous chemical variations designed to evade current restrictions. It directly affects anyone manufacturing, distributing, or possessing these substances without authorization, including illicit drug producers and users. The key mechanism is a class-wide Schedule I classification that includes specific structural features (like modified benzimidazole rings) and excludes new analogs from legal loopholes. This approach aims to prevent new nitazene variants from entering the illegal market and addresses their role in overdose deaths. Substances previously temporarily banned under similar rules will now be permanently prohibited as of the bill's enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBans nitazenes under Schedule I, expanding criminalization of drug possession/distribution without reform measures, directly increasing penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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

Track

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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in committee · United States · House Jan 9, 2025

HR 327: Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025

HR 327, the Valor Earned Not Stolen Act of 2025, increases criminal penalties for falsely claiming military medals or decorations. It raises the maximum prison sentence from one year to three years for fraudulent misrepresentation of receiving military decorations, the Congressional Medal of Honor, or combat badges under federal law. The bill also requires the Attorney General to study how individuals fraudulently obtain government benefits using fake military honors and report findings to Congress within 180 days. This law directly affects individuals who falsely claim military service honors and aims to address fraud in benefit programs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases prison sentences for military medal fraud, expanding criminalization and mandatory penalties per bill's sentencing provisions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransPrevents fraud diverting veterans' benefits by increasing penalties for falsely claiming military honors, protecting genuine veterans' entitlements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · United States · House Aug 22, 2025

HR 5032: Nitazene Control Act

HR 5032, the Nitazene Control Act, permanently classifies all nitazenes and their chemical analogs as Schedule I controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act. This means these synthetic opioids, which are significantly more potent than fentanyl and linked to overdose deaths, are now federally banned for all non-medical use. The bill creates a broad chemical definition covering substances with specific structural features (a benzimidazole core and mu-opioid receptor activity), preventing new analogs from evading regulation. It includes a temporary 18-month exemption for researchers already studying these substances under active FDA-approved protocols, requiring them to notify the DEA and apply for proper registration within that period. The law directly affects the illicit drug market and ongoing research involving nitazenes, aiming to streamline enforcement and prevent new analogs from entering the supply chain.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies nitazenes as Schedule I, expanding criminalization of synthetic opioids linked to overdoses, aligning with OPPOSE indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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