Lawmakers Push Bills to End Cashless Bail Nationwide

House Republican Elise Stefanik and Senator Marsha Blackburn have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at ending cashless bail policies nationwide, starting with Washington, D.C. Their bills would prohibit cashless bail for violent crimes and cut federal funding to jurisdictions that adopt such policies, citing public safety concerns highlighted by high-profile cases such as the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte by a repeat offender released without bail. These efforts build on President Donald Trump's executive orders from August targeting cashless bail reforms. Supporters argue the legislation is necessary to keep violent criminals behind bars and prevent repeat offenses, while opponents, including some Democrats, criticize the push as misguided and argue it overlooks the effectiveness of bail reform laws. The bills have garnered backing from bail industry associations and emphasize offenses like murder, rape, robbery, and rioting as ineligible for cashless release. The debate continues as lawmakers weigh public safety against criminal justice reform initiatives.