GOP Senators Introduce Pro-cash Bail Bill

Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., introduced a bill to deter policies that prohibit bail and reward criminal acts.

The "Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act" would prevent any state or local government from receiving federal funds if it has a policy that prohibits the use of cash bail for all offenders or fails to implement pretrial detention practices for all violent offenders, including juveniles.

"The rise in violent crime we are seeing across our country is a direct result of the soft-on-crime policies like cashless bail that is being pushed by woke prosecutors and judges," Blackburn said in a statement.

"In order to restore law and order in our communities, we must reject this agenda that prioritizes dangerous criminals over law-abiding community members. My Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act creates incentives for state and local governments to keep violent offenders behind bars."

Cramer said cash bail "is a powerful tool to help keep violent offenders off the streets in advance of criminal proceedings."

"Woke, soft-on-crime cities across the country make it easier for felons to reoffend while awaiting prosecution, causing more violence and instability in our communities," Cramer said. "The harmful and deliberate policies these cities adopt, contributing to soaring crime rates, should not be rewarded by sending them taxpayer money."

The senators' press release announcing the bill included comments of support from various law enforcement officials.

"One of the most detrimental trends to come out of the anti-criminal justice movement is that of 'bail reform.' This incentivizes criminals and denies protection to crime victims at a time when most law enforcement organizations are dealing with budget and personnel shortfalls," said Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, Spokesman for the National Police Association (NPA).

"The National Police Association believes that the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act will help hold prosecutors accountable and encourage them to reenact bail policies that benefit law abiding community members instead of the criminals who prey on them."

In July, Illinois became the first state to eliminate cash bail as a condition of pretrial release from jail when the state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law abolishing it.