WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 5214 · 119th Congress

District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025

Passed HouseCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedSep 8, 2025
Passed HouseNov 19, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Nov 20, 2025: Received in the Senate. The House passed it 237–179. In the House, Iowa's representatives split: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn did not vote. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 3 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 5214 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 3 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as passed by the House (Nov 19, 2025).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Mandatory pretrial and post conviction detention for crime of violence or dangerous crime
  • Sec. 3 Requiring cash bail for release of individuals charged with public safety or order offenses
  • Sec. 4 Applicability
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    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.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Sep 30, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. Nov 19, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 179 (Roll no. 298). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4796) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    2. Sep 30, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-315.Library of Congress
    3. Sep 8, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show all 20 recorded actions

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. Nov 19, 2025 · HousePassed 237–179
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn did not vote
      On Passage · needed a majority
      R 209 yes, 0 noD 28 yes, 179 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    • John James R-MI-10
    • Tim Moore R-NC-14
    • Troy E. Nehls R-TX-22