The Republican Recap: Week of May 11, 2026
This week, during National Police Week, House Republicans passed a resolution to express our gratitude for the brave men and women in blue and the sacrifices they make every day to keep our communities safe.
America’s police officers are the backbone of public safety. Every day, they put their lives on the line to uphold the rule of law, protect our communities, remove violent criminals from our streets, and respond in moments of crisis. Despite their service and sacrifice, law enforcement officers have increasingly become targets of radical activists and politicians, fueling a surge in violence against police officers.
Our law enforcement officers deserve our respect, support, and gratitude because every day they put their lives on the line to protect our communities. That’s why Republicans stand with the heroes who protect our streets and will reject the soft-on-crime policies pushed by the far left.
Rep. Zach Nunn’s legislation, H. Con. Res. 96, expresses congressional support for the brave men and women in law enforcement who risk their lives to uphold our rule of law and keep Americans safe, recognizes their extraordinary sacrifice, and acknowledges their many contributions to our communities.
“It shouldn’t be controversial to stand with the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Nunn. “But from the ‘defund the police’ radicalism to sanctuary city policies that prevent cooperation with federal law enforcement, too many politicians have put ideology ahead of public safety — and Americans are paying the price. This Police Week, the House sent a clear message: we back the blue. I'm proud to have led that effort."
What Members Said:
In the summer of 2020, charitable bail funds like the Minnesota Freedom Fund received massive donations from far left activists, politicians, and celebrities – including then-Senator Kamala Harris – to bail protesters out of jail.
But many of the people these organizations help release are facing serious charges. A CNN investigation found that between 2019 and 2021, 24% of defendants whose bail was posted by The Bail Project had been charged with a violent crime, while 35% faced felony charges and had at least one prior violent offense.
Despite the risks to public safety, some charitable bail funds openly admit they post bail for defendants without considering the pending charges. Greg Lewin, Executive Director of the Minnesota Freedom Fund, stated: “I often don’t even look at a charge when I bail someone out.” These organizations also reduce accountability by removing the financial incentive for defendants to appear in court.
H.R. 6260, the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act, introduced by Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, amends the federal criminal statute dealing with insurance-related crimes to include corporate, for-profit, and non-profit entities that post bail for defendants, subjecting charitable bail funds to federal insurance fraud laws and state licensing requirements, and requiring their employees to pass criminal background checks.
“Americans are tired of watching violent criminals cycle through a bail system that is being exploited by left-wing groups at the expense of victims and public safety,” said Rep. Fitzgerald. “The Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act brings long-overdue accountability to radical bail policies that allow activists to secure the release of dangerous offenders. Protecting our communities from violent crime must always be the top priority. I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support in advancing this legislation, which is an important step in closing these reckless loopholes once and for all.”
What Members Said:
Bail is not meant to punish defendants — it is designed to ensure those charged with crimes appear in court for required proceedings. If defendants attend all required appearances, all bail money is returned at the conclusion of the case, regardless of the outcome.
In recent years, however, many liberal states and cities have enacted cashless bail and so-called “bail reform” policies that minimize or eliminate cash bail requirements before trial. These reckless policies allow dangerous offenders back onto our streets with little more than a promise to appear in court — even in some cases involving violent crimes. The results have put public safety at risk.
This should be common sense: Families deserve to know which jurisdictions have adopted dangerous cashless bail policies when deciding where to live, work, raise a family, or travel.
H.R. 5625, the Cashless Bail Reporting Act, sponsored by Rep. Mark Harris, requires the Attorney General to publish a list of state and local governments that implement reckless bail “reform” policies allowing people who have been accused of certain violent crimes – including murder, rape, sexual assault, carjacking, assault, and robbery – to be released pending trial on personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond.
“Americans deserve to know whether the communities they live in or visit have soft-on-crime policies that could put them at risk,” said Rep. Harris. “My Cashless Bail Reporting Act brings needed transparency by requiring the Department of Justice to publicly identify jurisdictions that allow certain serious offenders to be released without cash bail. House Republicans will continue standing with law enforcement and victims to restore law and order.”
What Members Said:
Establishing Accountability and Transparency in Court Monitorships✅
Today, federal district courts can appoint court monitors to oversee state and local agencies with few commonsense guardrails in place.
While monitors are intended to help agencies implement corrective action in cases involving misconduct or civil rights violations, some monitorships have become costly, open-ended arrangements with little transparency or accountability. In certain cases, monitors have remained in place for more than a decade, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars with few limits on their fees, duration, or scope of authority.
House Republicans passed this legislation to strengthen accountability, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure monitorships remain focused on delivering results — not becoming permanent bureaucracies.
Rep. Andy Biggs’ bill, H.R. 8365, the Monitor Accountability Act, codifies the Department of Justice's recommendations to establish term limits on monitors, cap fees, allow for public feedback on the selection of monitors, and provide a public accounting of monitors’ activities to ensure court monitors do not abuse their positions.
What Members Said:
Prioritizing Service Members, Military Families, Veterans, and Critical Infrastructure✅
At a time of growing threats around the world, it is more important than ever for Congress to provide America’s servicemembers with the support and infrastructure they need to defend our nation. This week, House Republicans passed legislation to strengthen our national security, support critical military construction projects, and support our troops, veterans, and military families.
The FY27 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill responsibly funds our military and strengthens America’s readiness by investing in critical infrastructure that supports advanced weapons systems while also helping military families through funding for barracks and child development centers.
Additionally, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill fulfills our nation’s promise to veterans by fully funding veterans’ health care programs and benefits, supporting mental health research and suicide prevention efforts, protecting veterans’ Second Amendment rights, and investing in VA facilities and national cemeteries.
Rep. John Carter’s legislation, H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, provides FY27 appropriations to bolster our national defense and critical infrastructure, deliver on veteran care, and improve quality of life for military families.
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