McCollum Vote on H.R. 8205, Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 8205, the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act. 

H.R. 8205 is a poorly written Republican messaging bill that seeks to undermine and discredit our nation’s nonprofit support systems. It would do nothing to “keep violent offenders off our streets.” Any misconduct by nonprofit bail funds is already a crime under federal wire fraud and money laundering statutes, and both statues convey harsher penalties than insurance fraud. These nonprofits support low-income people who are in pre-trial detention to be able to post bail. In America, you are innocent until proven guilty. Defendants for non-violent crimes do not deserve to lose their jobs or be forced into poverty simply because they cannot afford to post bail. 

Mr. Speaker, I continue to stand ready to work toward real, impactful solutions to address violent crime. Instead debating this bill, Congress should be investing in community violence intervention, fully funding our federal law enforcement, preventing the flow of weapons of war into our communities, and supporting our local law enforcement agencies.

Thank you, and I yield back.