H.R.2159 - Count the Crimes to Cut Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2159, the "Count the Crimes to Cut Act of 2025," directs the Attorney General and heads of various federal agencies to submit reports to Congress detailing all federal criminal statutory and regulatory offenses. These reports must include lists of offenses, potential penalties, prosecution numbers over the past 15 years, and mens rea requirements. The bill also mandates the creation of publicly accessible indexes of these offenses on the Department of Justice and individual agency websites.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be increased transparency regarding federal criminal laws and regulations. This increased transparency could lead to a reevaluation of the necessity and scope of existing criminal offenses. It may also inform future legislative efforts to reform or reduce the number of federal crimes.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in the federal criminal code, making it easier for citizens and legal professionals to understand the scope of federal criminal law.
- Potential for identifying and eliminating outdated or unnecessary criminal offenses.
- Improved understanding of the enforcement patterns of federal criminal laws.
- Could lead to more informed debates about criminal justice reform.
- May help reduce the risk of unintentional violations of complex federal regulations.
Potential Disadvantages
- The reporting requirements could place a significant administrative burden on the Department of Justice and other federal agencies.
- The process of compiling and publishing the required information could be costly.
- The act itself does not directly address any specific issues related to overcriminalization; it merely provides information.
- The information gathered may be used to target specific regulations or agencies for politically motivated attacks.
- There is no guarantee that the information will lead to meaningful criminal justice reform.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the principles of transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the Constitution. Congress has the power to legislate and oversee the executive branch, as outlined in Article I. Requiring the Attorney General and federal agencies to report on criminal offenses falls within this oversight function. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).