District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025
Legislative Progress
Plain English Summary
AI-generatedDistrict of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025
This bill makes changes to the cash bail system used in Washington, D.C.'s courts. Cash bail is money a person accused of a crime pays to be released from jail while waiting for their trial. Under the current D.C. system, judges have some flexibility in deciding whether and how much bail to require. This bill appears to modify those rules, likely by either expanding or restricting the use of cash bail as a condition of release for people charged with crimes in the nation's capital.
Because Washington, D.C. is not a state, Congress has direct authority over its local laws, which is why a federal bill like this can change D.C.'s local court practices. The bill would primarily affect people who are arrested and charged with crimes in D.C., as well as judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys who work within the D.C. court system. It could also affect public safety in the District more broadly, depending on how bail decisions influence who is held in jail before trial versus who is released into the community.
It is worth noting that the bill passed the House of Representatives and has been sent to the Senate, but the final outcome and specific details of its provisions are still being determined through the legislative process. Because no official bill description was provided, some specific details of its requirements remain unclear from the information available. Anyone seeking the full text of the bill can find it through Congress.gov for a complete picture of what changes are being proposed.
This summary is AI-generated for informational purposes. Always refer to the official bill text for legal accuracy.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate.
November 20, 2025
Sponsor
Committees
Legislative History
Received in the Senate.
Nov 20, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 19, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 879. (consideration: CR H4796-4800)
Nov 19, 2025Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.
Nov 19, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5214.
Nov 19, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Nov 19, 2025POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 5214, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Garcia (CA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Nov 19, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4805-4806)
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)
Nov 19, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 237 - 179 (Roll no. 298). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4796)
Nov 19, 2025Rule H. Res. 879 passed House.
Nov 18, 2025Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 879 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.
Nov 17, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 269.
Sep 30, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-315.
Sep 30, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-315.
Sep 30, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
Sep 10, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Sep 10, 2025Introduced in House
Sep 8, 2025Introduced in House
Sep 8, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Sep 8, 2025