Glenn Thompson (R-PA)
Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to change how the Director of the Bureau of Prisons is chosen. This bill would require the President to appoint the Director with the advice and consent of the Senate. It also establishes a single 10-year term for the position. Additionally, the act provides a transition period for the current incumbent.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Does this change how police departments operate?
The bill increases oversight of the Bureau of Prisons by requiring Senate advice and consent for the Director's appointment.
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Requiring Senate confirmation for a major agency director increases legislative oversight and transparency of the appointment process.
- Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill increases the role of the Senate in the executive appointment process for the Bureau of Prisons Director.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased oversight for high-budget agencies: The bill changes the appointment process for the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to include Senate advice and consent, bringing it in line with other major Department of Justice officials (Section 2). This relates to the fact that the Bureau of Prisons manages a budget exceeding $7,000,000,000 and oversees significant numbers of employees and inmates (Section 2).
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Long-term leadership stability: The bill establishes a 10-year term for the Director (Section 3(d)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited tenure for leadership: Under this act, an individual is prohibited from serving more than one single 10-year term as Director (Section 3(d)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requiring Senate confirmation for a major agency director increases legislative oversight and transparency of the appointment process. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases the role of the Senate in the executive appointment process for the Bureau of Prisons Director.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill increases oversight of the Bureau of Prisons by requiring Senate advice and consent for the Director's appointment.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — Enhanced oversight of the federal prison system may lead to more stable management of correctional facilities.
- 7/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio