Cashless bail might soon be a relic of the past as Senate heavyweights throw their weight behind a push to keep dangerous offenders off the streets.
According to Just The News, nearly two weeks after President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at scrapping cashless bail nationwide, Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) have introduced two hard-hitting bills—the Ending Cashless Bail in Our Nation’s Capital Act and the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act—to turn those orders into law.
Trump’s orders set the stage, targeting a policy critics call a revolving door for criminals, and now the senators are stepping up to bat with legislation that could slam that door shut for good.
Let’s rewind: Trump’s executive actions were a bold first strike against cashless bail, a practice that’s been letting suspects walk free without posting a dime, often to the dismay of communities craving safety.
The Senate bills echo that sentiment, aiming to restrict federal funding to states and localities that cling to these no-cash release policies, a move that could hit states like California and Illinois right where it hurts.
Specifically, the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act would block Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to any jurisdiction that limits cash bail, effectively telling local governments to rethink their priorities—or lose the cash.
Then there’s the Ending Cashless Bail in Our Nation’s Capital Act, which zeroes in on Washington, D.C., a city that’s operated under cashless bail since 1992, demanding the highest cash bail possible for dangerous offenders as a condition of release.
This bill doesn’t mess around—it insists that anyone charged with heinous crimes like murder, rape, or robbery stays locked up while awaiting trial, a stark contrast to the current system that some say prioritizes suspects over victims.
Senator John Cornyn put it plainly: “Washington, D.C. should be a shining city the world looks to as a model for safety and security.” Well, if D.C. is supposed to be a beacon, this legislation might just be the lighthouse steering it back to shore.
Speaking of critics, supporters of cashless bail argue it’s a matter of fairness, claiming traditional cash bail disproportionately harms low-income and minority communities who can’t afford to pay up.
That’s a point worth wrestling with, but when Senator Marsha Blackburn says, “Cashless bail and other soft-on-crime policies have empowered violent criminals across our country,” it’s hard not to wonder if compassion for the accused is outweighing concern for the law-abiding.
Cornyn doubles down, noting, “Cashless bail is a soft-on-crime policy that not only endangers innocent Americans, but also erodes trust in the justice system.” If trust in justice is crumbling, isn’t it time to rebuild with stronger foundations?
The Senate’s proposals don’t just mimic Trump’s executive orders—they sharpen them, spelling out funding restrictions with precision to ensure states and cities get the message loud and clear.
With Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) expected to introduce companion bills in the House, this fight against cashless bail could gain even more traction, potentially reshaping how pretrial release works from coast to coast.
