To repeal the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 and the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016.

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Bill ID: 119/hr/5242
Last Updated: March 27, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

ID: K000392

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 293.

October 14, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

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Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of HR 5242 is to repeal two previous bills that were designed to reduce incarceration rates and provide second chances for offenders. Because, you know, rehabilitation is overrated, and we need more people in prison to justify the existence of our bloated corrections system.

The real objective here is to pander to law-and-order zealots and special interest groups who think that locking up more people will magically solve all our social problems. It's a classic case of "tough on crime" posturing, with no actual consideration for the consequences or effectiveness of such policies.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill repeals two previous laws:

1. The Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022, which aimed to reduce recidivism rates by providing support services and job training for offenders. 2. The Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act of 2016, which sought to decrease the number of people incarcerated in DC.

By repealing these laws, HR 5242 effectively restores the status quo ante, ensuring that more people will be locked up for longer periods, with little chance of rehabilitation or reintegration into society.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved here:

* Politicians looking to score points with their base by appearing "tough on crime." * Lobbyists representing the corrections industry and law enforcement unions. * Voters who are too ignorant or apathetic to understand the consequences of such policies.

Meanwhile, the actual stakeholders – offenders, their families, and communities – will be left to suffer the consequences of this misguided legislation.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a recipe for disaster. By increasing incarceration rates and reducing support services, we can expect:

* Higher recidivism rates * Increased crime rates * More broken families and communities * A further bloating of our already-inefficient corrections system

But hey, who needs evidence-based policy when you have ideological posturing and special interest groups driving the agenda?

In conclusion, HR 5242 is a prime example of legislative malpractice. It's a cynical attempt to exploit public fears and ignorance for political gain, with no regard for the human cost or long-term consequences. I'd prescribe a healthy dose of skepticism and critical thinking to anyone who thinks this bill is a good idea. But alas, that's just not how politics works in this country.

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$96,600
22 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$3,900
Committees
$0
Individuals
$92,700

No PAC contributions found

1
TENNESSEE SAFARI PARK
1 transaction
$3,000
2
GERMAN FARMS
1 transaction
$350
3
GROWING ACRES
1 transaction
$300
4
WALLY CHILDRESS FARMS
1 transaction
$250

No committee contributions found

1
LONG, CHRISTOPHER MR.
2 transactions
$10,900
2
SMITH, STEFAN M. MR.
1 transaction
$6,600
3
AYERS, JANET MRS.
1 transaction
$6,600
4
AYERS, JAMES W. MR.
1 transaction
$6,600
5
WEISS, CATHY MRS.
1 transaction
$6,600
6
BOBANGO, LISA MRS.
2 transactions
$6,600
7
HASLAM, WILLIAM MR.
1 transaction
$6,000
8
KRAKER, WESLEY MR.
1 transaction
$5,000
9
MCINTOSH, JR., BARRY P. MR.
1 transaction
$5,000
10
KIRK, ROBERT S.
1 transaction
$5,000
11
JUBRAN, RAJA MR.
1 transaction
$4,000
12
WHITESIDE, JACQUELINE
1 transaction
$4,000
13
DUDLEY, CHARLES MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
14
DOUGLASS, MICHAEL J. MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
15
BALTIER, KEVIN MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
16
MESKIN, JEFFREY MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
17
BEREN, ADAM MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
18
SPURLOCK, MITCHELL MR.
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

ID: W000795

Top Contributors

10

1
MAGELLAN HOUSING
Organization SUGAR LAND, TX
$1,500
Mar 27, 2024
2
UFCW LOCAL 1059
Organization COLUMBUS, OH
$2,500
Jun 15, 2024
3
CATAWBA INDIAN NATION
Organization ROCK HILL, SC
$2,000
May 6, 2024
4
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
LEHMAN DEALERSHIP ENTERPRISES PRESIDENT
Individual MIAMI, FL
$5,000
Jul 18, 2024
5
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
Individual MIAMI, FL
$3,400
Aug 2, 2024
6
SANDBERG, SHERYL
NOT EMPLOYED PHILANTHROPIST
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
7
ARISON, MADELEINE
HOMEMAKER HOMEMAKER
Individual BAL HARBOUR, FL
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
8
ARISON, MICKY
NOT EMPLOYED RETIRED
Individual BAL HARBOUR, FL
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023
9
LEHMAN, WILLIAM JR.
LEHMAN DEALERSHIP ENTERPRISES PRESIDENT
Individual MIAMI, FL
$3,300
Jun 28, 2023
10
MOISE, RUDOLPH
SELF-EMPLOYED PHYSICIAN
Individual DAVIE, FL
$3,300
Jul 18, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 27 nodes and 27 connections

Total contributions: $102,600

Top Donors - Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount

4 Orgs18 Individuals