Republican Senators Propose Legislation Supporting Cash Bail

Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., have introduced a bill to discourage policies that ban bail and incentivize criminal behavior.

The “Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act” would withhold federal funds from any state or local government that prohibits the use of cash bail for all offenders or does not implement pretrial detention practices for all violent offenders, including juveniles.

“The increase in violent crime we are witnessing nationwide is a direct outcome of lenient policies like cashless bail promoted by woke prosecutors and judges,” Blackburn stated in a release.

“To reinstate order in our communities, we must oppose this agenda that favors dangerous criminals over law-abiding citizens. My Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act offers incentives for state and local governments to detain violent offenders.”

Cramer emphasized that cash bail “is a valuable tool to keep violent offenders off the streets before trial.”

“Cities that are lenient on crime make it easier for criminals to commit further offenses while awaiting trial, leading to more violence and unrest in our communities,” Cramer remarked. “Taxpayer money should not reward these cities for adopting harmful policies that contribute to escalating crime rates.”

The senators’ announcement of the bill featured statements of support from various law enforcement officials.

“One of the most concerning trends stemming from the anti-criminal justice movement is ‘bail reform,’ which benefits criminals and neglects crime victims when law enforcement agencies are already dealing with resource shortages,” said Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, Spokesperson for the National Police Association (NPA).

“The National Police Association believes that the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act will hold prosecutors accountable and encourage them to implement bail policies that benefit law-abiding citizens rather than criminals.”

In July, Illinois became the first state to abolish cash bail for pretrial release from jail when the state Supreme Court upheld the law abolishing it.