Restoring Law and Order Act of 2025
The Restoring Law and Order Act of 2025 would create a new federal grant program under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to fund state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts. The program, called the Make America Safe Again Grant Program, would be administered by the Attorney General and aimed at boosting police hiring and retention, reducing vehicle theft and carjackings, expanding crime-prevention strategies (including stricter sentencing for repeat offenders and the use of bail/pretrial detention when appropriate), enhancing drug and fentanyl enforcement, detaining and deporting criminal aliens, clearing investigatory backlogs, and fighting interstate child trafficking. The bill provides a specific funding path, including a large one-time appropriation in fiscal year 2026 and ongoing grant administration with robust oversight. It also directs that a portion of redirected funds may be used to support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through a federal workforce program.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of a new Make America Safe Again Grant Program within Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act to fund eligible law enforcement entities (state, local governments, and Indian Tribes) to carry out specified crime-fighting activities.
- 2Permissible uses of grants, including: hiring/retaining officers (and bonuses), targeting vehicle thefts and carjackings, enforcing stricter sentences for repeat offenders (including juveniles), using bail/public safety detention to keep dangerous offenders off the street, improving drug/fentanyl enforcement, detaining and deporting criminal illegal aliens, eliminating investigatory backlogs, and combating interstate child trafficking.
- 3Eligibility and oversight: eligible entities are defined as lawful law enforcement agencies; the Attorney General may set regulations; grant recipients must maintain records and be subject to audits and access to records for compliance and use of funds.
- 4Funding and funding mechanism: upon enactment, unobligated balances from a specified reconciliation act are rescinded; $500 million is appropriated to the Attorney General for FY 2026 to 2030 for this program; any remaining rescinded funds go to the Treasury; and a portion may be redirected to support DEI initiatives under a federal diversity program.
- 5Administrative and procedural provisions: the Attorney General can issue guidance on applications and compliance, and the grant program includes accountability measures to ensure proper use of funds and auditing.