Andy Biggs (R-AZ)
Strong Sentences for Safer D.C. Streets Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 279.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The "Strong Sentences for Safer D.C. Streets Act of 2025" aims to increase mandatory minimum sentences for several crimes in the District of Columbia. It changes penalties for first and second degree murder, rape, first degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, car jacking, and first degree burglary. Specifically, it establishes life imprisonment without release for first degree murder. These changes will apply to criminal conduct occurring after the act is enacted.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill represents federal intervention in the criminal code of the District of Columbia.
- Scored +4
Would people in cities be better off under this?
Aims to make D.C. streets safer by increasing penalties for violent crimes like car jacking and burglary.
- Scored +3
Would women be better off under this?
Increased mandatory minimums for rape and sexual abuse provide stronger penalties for these crimes.
The opposite
- Scored -7
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The bill increases mandatory minimums and removes judicial flexibility in sentencing.
- Scored -4
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The removal of judicial flexibility and aggravating circumstance requirements may impact individual sentencing due process.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Penalties for Violent Crimes: By increasing mandatory minimums for crimes like first degree murder (life imprisonment without release), second degree murder (at least 10 years), and kidnapping (at least 10 years), the bill seeks to provide stronger punishments for severe offenses. (Sec. 2(a), 2(b), 2(d))
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Stronger Protections Against Sexual Violence: The bill raises the mandatory minimum for rape to 25 or 30 years and first degree sexual abuse to at least 25 years, which increases the sentencing burden for these offenders. (Sec. 2(c))
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Harsher Consequences for Car Jacking and Burglary: The bill increases minimum sentences for unarmed car jacking (10 years), armed car jacking (20 years), and first degree burglary (10 years). (Sec. 2(e), 2(f))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Elimination of Judicial Flexibility: The bill removes certain sentencing procedures and requirements for aggravating circumstances, such as in cases of first degree murder and certain sexual abuse crimes, which limits the court's ability to adjust sentences. (Sec. 2(a)(2), 2(c)(3))
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Longer Mandatory Incarceration: Individuals convicted of the listed crimes will face significantly longer minimum prison terms, such as the shift from a 7-year minimum to a 10-year minimum for unarmed car jacking. (Sec. 2(e)(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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — Aims to make D.C. streets safer by increasing penalties for violent crimes like car jacking and burglary. Would women be better off under this? — Increased mandatory minimums for rape and sexual abuse provide stronger penalties for these crimes.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill increases mandatory minimums and removes judicial flexibility in sentencing.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill represents federal intervention in the criminal code of the District of Columbia. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The removal of judicial flexibility and aggravating circumstance requirements may impact individual sentencing due process.
- 10/3/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-326.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 279.
- 9/10/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
- 9/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Byron DonaldsRepublican · Florida
Clay HigginsRepublican · Louisiana