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The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation last week designed to deter states and municipalities from instituting or continuing cashless bail programs, even though such policies recognize that the release of individuals from jail, pending their chance to argue their innocence in courts of law, shouldn’t be restricted based on a person’s income.

The Cashless Bail Reporting Act passed the GOP-led House on Thursday. Despite being supported by most Republicans in the chamber, it was also backed by 96 Democrats.

The bill expands a 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump, entitled “Taking Steps to End Cashless Bail to Protect Americans.” That order purports that individuals released without cash bail “are permitted — even encouraged — to further endanger law-abiding, hard-working Americans.”

However, research from the Brennan Center for Justice published in 2024 finds that there is “no statistically significant relationship” linking cashless bail to any increases in violent crime. The study noted that some people had incorrectly linked a sudden rise in crime during the COVID pandemic to cashless bail policies. However, the data from their study suggests such claims are baseless.

“There is no reason to believe that bail reform has led to increased crime,” the Brennan Center emphasized in its findings.

Trump Signs Order Aimed at Ending Cashless Bail as He Arms National Guard in........

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