House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is pushing new legislation to punish states and local governments that refuse to detain violent offenders, warning that Democrat-backed cashless bail policies are endangering Americans.
The “Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act” would cut off federal funding to jurisdictions that eliminate cash bail or refuse to use pretrial detention for dangerous criminals.
The measure builds on executive orders President Donald Trump signed in April to end cashless bail in Washington, D.C., and push back against soft-on-crime policies nationwide.
The legislation comes in the wake of the August 22 murder of young Ukrainian woman Iryna Zarutska.
The 23-year-old had fled her home in Ukraine to escape the war, only to be stabbed to death by a career criminal on a Charlotte commuter train.
Her alleged killer, 34-year-old violent repeat offender Decarlos Brown Jr., had racked up 14 prior arrests in Mecklenburg County since 2007.
His rap sheet includes convictions for larceny and breaking and entering.
Despite a lengthy record and known mental health issues, Brown was released from prison in 2020 after serving just six years of a sentence for crimes committed in 2013 and 2014.
Rep. Tim Moore (R-NC), who is co-sponsoring Stefanik’s bill in the House, said Zarutska’s murder highlights the deadly consequences of failed Democrat policies.
“Iryna Zarutska should still be alive. Her blood is on the hands of every single person who made it possible for this monster to walk free,” Moore said.
“If leaders willingly refuse to do their job to lock up dangerous criminals, they shouldn’t get a dime of federal support.”
Stefanik drew a direct line to her home state of New York, where Democrats eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies in 2020.
“Under Kathy Hochul’s failed leadership, cashless bail policies in New York pose a clear and present danger to the Nation and must be terminated,” Stefanik said.
She added, “Today, Sen. Marsha Blackburn and I are working alongside President Trump to end the cashless bail disaster.
“We can’t allow arrested individuals who are awaiting trial to be released back onto the streets to commit more crimes against their communities.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is introducing companion legislation in the Senate, giving the effort momentum in both chambers.
Republicans argue that restoring pretrial detention for violent criminals is a necessary step to restore law and order across the country and reverse Democrats’ soft-on-crime agenda.
The push comes as sobering crime statistics reveal America is failing to deliver justice for victims.
In 2023, the U.S. had only a 58% clearance rate for murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, according to FBI data.
The figures reveal that nearly half of homicides nationwide went unsolved.
By contrast, advanced nations like Australia, Britain, and Germany maintain significantly higher clearance rates.
Republicans say the numbers underscore the dangers of policies that allow violent offenders back onto the streets instead of keeping them behind bars.
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