House Passes Bills to Eliminate Cashless Bail in D.C.
WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved two significant bills aimed at abolishing cashless bail in Washington, D.C. Additionally, they seek to undo much of the 2022 legislation passed by the City Council, which had aimed to restrict police use of force and the processes around officer discipline, including a ban on chokeholds.
The first bill, brought forth by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), was passed with a vote of 237-179. It mandates pretrial and post-conviction detention for certain violent crimes and enforces mandatory cash bail for individuals deemed a danger to public safety.
The second piece of legislation repeals the D.C. Council’s Comprehensive Police and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, passing the House with a vote of 233-190.
Stefanik described her initiative as a critical step to counter what she termed the “failed bail reform” in New York City, emphasizing the consequences of inaction. “New Yorkers know that Kathy Hochul’s failure to reform bail has sparked a crime wave across the state,” she stated, attributing a surge of violent crime directly to it. She expressed determination to push for reforms at the congressional level as well.
Despite the Republican backing for Stefanik’s measures, Democrats contested their necessity, arguing that current D.C. pretrial rules align well with federal standards.
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat representing the district, criticized the bills, claiming they infringe on the presumption of innocence fundamental to the justice system. “Her bill is not just unconstitutional; it undermines a core principle that defendants should be presumed innocent,” she noted.
Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) also articulated concerns during debates, highlighting that current judges have the discretion to release offenders on basic promises, potentially compromising public safety. He argued that the proposed changes would ensure judges retain authority to confine individuals charged with serious offenses.
Furthermore, Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) reintroduced a bill reminiscent of one from 2023 aimed at repealing various police reforms endorsed by the District’s Democratic City Council. Critics of the original reforms argue that they hinder police effectiveness and infringe upon due process rights.
Norton countered by asserting that violent crime has significantly decreased since the last similar proposal was considered, asserting, “Violent crime in Washington, D.C., fell 35% last year and is down another 28% this year.”
However, with D.C. noted as having the fourth-highest per-capita homicide rate in the U.S.—according to a February report from the Rochester Institute of Technology—it’s clear the debate is contentious.
Comer labeled the new legislation as anti-police, claiming it removes essential tools needed for officers to act safely in high-stakes situations. “It puts undue demands on the D.C. Metropolitan Police,” he argued.
The former President, Joe Biden, previously vetoed related bills passed with bipartisan support, warning that they could reverse progress in police reform initiatives, such as restricting chokeholds and enhancing police training.
Moreover, Trump has applied pressure on Democratic local authorities to shift from cashless bail practices, threatening to withdraw federal funds unless changes are made. In addition, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is advocating for the repeal of other laws perceived as lenient on crime, further intensifying the discussion around public safety in the capital.
