Criminal justice involves the laws and institutions that maintain public safety and administer justice. The debate centers on reforming the system to address issues like mass incarceration, racial disparities, and police practices. Some push for rehabilitation and reducing prison populations, while others prioritize tough-on-crime policies and support strong law enforcement to ensure public safety.
On criminal justice, VoteSee scores every member of Congress on a spectrum from Criminal Justice Reform (Supports extensive reform of the criminal justice system, focusing on rehabilitation, restorative justice, and addressing root causes of crime) to Strict Policing & Enforcement (Supports increasing the use of strict sentencing laws and harsh penalties to deter crime and the belief that strong punishments reduce crime), based on their actual votes.
Where the Parties Stand on Criminal Justice
Democrats score 56/100 on average (258 members scored).
Independents score 62/100 on average (3 members scored).
Republicans score 48/100 on average (270 members scored).
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. (September 15, 2026)
An act making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes. (September 1, 2026)
A bill to address sexual harassment and sexual assault of Bureau of Prisons staff in prisons, and for other purposes. (August 31, 2026)
Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes. (July 22, 2026)
To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system, and for other purposes. (May 21, 2026)