Political Integrity Network
HR 5214 · 119th Congress · House

District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025

In progress
IntroducedSep 8, 2025
Policy areaCrime and Law Enforcement
Cosponsors3
What this bill is intended to do

District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025 This bill mandates, in the District of Columbia (DC), pretrial and post-conviction detention for crimes of violence and dangerous crimes and cash bail to obtain pretrial release for public safety or order crimes. Under current DC law, a court may generally order a defendant released before trial based on the judge’s assessment of the risks posed by the defendant's release. If the defendant is charged with a crime of violence or a dangerous crime, the court must determine conditions for release; if the defendant has a prior history of such crimes, is charged with a crime that involves deadly weapons, or is charged with a crime of violence, there is a rebuttable presumption that the defendant must be detained. The bill requires defendants charged with a crime of violence or a dangerous crime to be detained while awaiting trial. It also prohibits a court from releasing a defendant charged with a public safety or order crime without a secured appearance bond (i.e., money or property subject to forfeiture). Public safety or order crimes include fleeing from a law enforcement officer, rioting, and stalking. Current DC law also allows individuals who are convicted of an offense to be released pending sentencing or an appeal if the court finds the individual is unlikely to flee or pose a danger to others. The bill requires individuals who are convicted of a crime of violence or a dangerous crime to be detained in these circumstances.

Latest action

Nov 20, 2025Received in the Senate.

How Congress voted · House roll call 298 · Nov 19, 2025
237 Yea179 Nay17 Not voting

Passed

How each party voted
Republicans208–0
Democrats28–179
Independents1–0

Revealed positions from the official roll call.

F46

The District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025 mandates pretrial and post-conviction detention for violent and dangerous crimes and requires cash bail for certain public safety offenses. The bill aims to enhance public safety by ensuring that individuals charged with serious offenses are detained or required to post bail. However, it raises concerns about constitutionality and enforceability.

Category gradesMembers of The Quiet Ledger see the full per-category breakdown of how this bill was graded.