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The House passed the District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025, which would require mandatory jail time or cash bail for certain crimes in Washington, D.C. The bill passed 237–179.
This bill, known as the District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025, would significantly change how the justice system in Washington, D.C. handles individuals accused of crimes. It requires judges to keep people in jail until their trial if they are charged with certain violent or dangerous crimes, such as armed robbery or first-degree burglary. It also introduces mandatory cash bail for a new category of 'public safety' crimes, including fleeing from police, rioting, and property destruction. In the House of Representatives, this was a vote on the final passage of the bill. Under the rules of the House, a simple majority of members voting is required to pass a bill. Passing this vote means the House has officially approved the legislation and is sending it to the Senate for consideration. The bill passed with a vote of 237 to 179. While nearly all Republicans supported the measure, 28 Democrats also voted in favor, crossing party lines to support the change in D.C. criminal procedure. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it must also be approved before it can be sent to the President to be signed into law.
The legislation will be received by the Senate, where it will likely be referred to a committee for review before any potential floor vote.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill represents a major shift toward mandatory detention and cash bail in the nation's capital, potentially increasing the jail population and removing judicial discretion.
Who’s affected. D.C. residents and defendants: Individuals accused of violent crimes will be held in jail until trial without a chance for release. · Low-income defendants: The requirement for cash bail on certain 'public safety' crimes may lead to longer detention for those unable to afford it. · D.C. Judicial System: Judges will no longer be able to use their discretion to release individuals on their own recognizance for certain crimes.
Democrats. The majority of the Democratic caucus opposed the bill, but 28 members broke with the party to vote in favor.
Republicans. Republicans voted unanimously in favor of the bill, viewing it as a critical step for public safety in D.C.
On Passage
Nov 19, 2025
The House passed the District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025, which would require mandatory jail time or cash bail for certain crimes in Washington, D.C.
The bill passed 237–179.
This was the final vote in the House to approve the bill. Because it passed, the legislation moves forward in the process; had it failed, the bill would have died in the House.
The legislation will be received by the Senate, where it will likely be referred to a committee for review before any potential floor vote.
This bill represents a major shift toward mandatory detention and cash bail in the nation's capital, potentially increasing the jail population and removing judicial discretion.
The bill passed with a bipartisan majority as 28 Democrats joined a unified Republican caucus in support of the measure.
The majority of the Democratic caucus opposed the bill, but 28 members broke with the party to vote in favor.
Republicans voted unanimously in favor of the bill, viewing it as a critical step for public safety in D.C.
The single Independent member voting supported the bill's passage.