Harris Bill to Hold Soft-on-Crime Cities Accountable Passes the House

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) celebrated House passage of his bill, the Cashless Bail Reporting Act, legislation that requires the Attorney General to publish a public list of jurisdictions that allow certain serious offenders to be released without cash bail. The bill applies to violent, sexual, and public disorder offenses and gives American families greater transparency about which communities are using bail policies that put public safety at risk.

"Cashless bail has proven to be a disaster, and Americans deserve to know when dangerous offenders are being released before trial in their neighborhoods," said Congressman Harris. "Far too many Democrat-led states and cities have pushed reckless bail policies that put criminals ahead of the people they were elected to serve.

"The tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska, just miles outside my district, was a heartbreaking reminder of what happens when repeat offenders are released back onto the streets. Americans should not be forced to live with the consequences of these failed policies.

"My Cashless Bail Reporting Act will bring much-needed transparency by requiring the Department of Justice to publish a public list of jurisdictions with cashless bail policies for serious crimes. Americans deserve access to this information so they can advocate for safer bail policies in their local communities."

"While in Congress, I will always stand with law enforcement and victims. I will continue fighting tirelessly to restore law and order and ensure public safety comes first."

BACKGROUND:

• The Cashless Bail Reporting Act codifies President Trump's Executive Order requiring the Department of Justice to identify and report jurisdictions that adopt cashless bail policies.
  
• The bill applies to violent, sexual, and public disorder offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, burglary, looting, rioting, and fleeing law enforcement.
  
• The bill comes in response to national outrage following the murder of Iryna Zarutska, whose alleged killer, Decarlos Brown Jr., had 14 prior arrests and had previously served a five-year sentence for robbery with a dangerous weapon. Brown had been released on a written promise to appear in court before the attack.
  
• A 2023 Yolo County, California study found that individuals released under its "Zero Bail" policy were rearrested for 163% more crimes and 200% more violent crimes compared to individuals who posted bail.

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