Blackburn, Cornyn Introduce Bills to End Cashless Bail in D.C. and Nationwide
September 4, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced two bills that would keep violent criminals off American streets by ending cashless bail policies that empower criminals to reoffend. The Ending Cashless Bail in Our Nation’s Capital Act would ban cashless bail in Washington, D.C., and the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act would ban the award of certain federal funds to states and localities that limit the use of cash bail. Both bills are backed by the Trump administration.
“Cashless bail and other soft-on-crime policies have empowered violent criminals across our country, putting the lives of law-abiding citizens at risk,” said Senator Blackburn. “President Trump is leading the charge to restore law and order by ending these failed policies, and Congresswoman Stefanik and I are backing his efforts by introducing two bills to end cashless bail and keep violent offenders behind bars.”
“Cashless bail is a soft-on-crime policy that not only endangers innocent Americans, but also erodes trust in the justice system and drains law enforcement resources by forcing police to play a game of catch-and-release with repeat offenders,” said Senator Cornyn. “Washington, D.C. should be a shining city the world looks to as a model for safety and security, which is I’m why proud to work with President Trump and Senator Blackburn to end the use of cashless bail nationwide.”
U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership, will soon introduce both bills in the House of Representatives:
“Under Kathy Hochul's failed leadership, cashless bail policies in New York pose a clear and present danger to the Nation and must be terminated,” said Chairwoman Stefanik. “Today, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and I are working alongside President Trump to end the cashless bail disaster. We can’t allow arrested individuals who are awaiting trial to be released back onto the streets to commit more crimes against their communities.”
BACKGROUND
- Many soft-on-crime, left-wing officials in the nation’s largest cities, including Washington, D.C. and Memphis, Tennessee, have released countless violent criminals who have demonstrated a clear risk to society back into their communities without bail, which incentivizes and rewards criminal acts.
- Memphis has the highest crime rate in the nation according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
- In 2024, an 18-year-old was released from jail in Memphis without bond after he was charged with two counts of auto theft, unlawful possession of a weapon, and two counts of vandalism. He was then involved in a shooting that tragically led to a Memphis Police Department officer’s death.
- In 2022, a suspect on release and under indictment for a near-murder shooting of a 14-year-old boy in Washington, D.C. allegedly stabbed a person during an argument and fled the scene.
- Last month, President Trump signed two executive orders to protect law-abiding citizens from the harms of cashless bail in Washington, D.C., and nationwide. Senator Blackburn’s legislation would build on his efforts and make them permanent.
THE ENDING CASHLESS BAIL IN OUR NATION’S CAPITAL ACT
- The Ending Cashless Bail in Our Nation’s Capital Act would require Washington, D.C. to use the highest level of cash bail necessary for dangerous offenders as a condition of pretrial release and ensure anyone charged with violent crimes like murder, rape, carjacking, and sexual abuse of a minor, robbery, or burglary stay behind bars while awaiting trial.
Click here for bill text.
THE KEEP VIOLENT CRIMINALS OFF OUR STREETS ACT
- The Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act would prohibit the award of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to states or localities that limit the use of cash bail.
Click here for bill text.
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