Waukesha Times

Today, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) announced that his bill, the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act, has passed in the House with a vote of 255-161.

"The radical left-wing approach to prosecution and bail have had deadly consequences throughout our country, which is why I introduced the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act," said Rep. Fitzgerald (WI-05). "This bill will protect our communities by defining bail bonds as insurance products and by bringing charitable bail funds under state insurance regulation. These changes will add a much-needed layer of transparency and accountability to bail funds, that up until now, have been operating in the shadows without oversight. I was grateful to see my bill pass this week—and I look forward to seeing it make its way through the Senate next."

The legislation aims to regulate groups like the Bail Project and Minnesota Freedom Fund, which raise money to pay bail for individuals regardless of their criminal histories. The Minnesota Freedom Fund has faced scrutiny for paying bail for offenders such as George Howard, who was charged with domestic abuse and later charged with second-degree murder following a road rage incident.

A 2023 analysis by CNN reported that at least 65 defendants bailed out by the Minnesota Freedom Fund were awaiting trial on felony charges involving violence, physical threats, or sex crimes. All were convicted.

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