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H.R. 5070 116th Congress House

A Just Society: The Mercy In Re-entry Act

Official title: To provide access to Federal public benefits for individuals with criminal convictions, and for other purposes.

Introduced: November 13, 2019 Introduced by: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Criminal procedure and sentencingDisability assistanceEmployee benefits and pensionsFood assistance and relief
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Government lending and loan guaranteesHealth care coverage and accessLicensing and registrationsPoverty and welfare assistancePublic contracts and procurementPublic housingStudent aid and college costsUnemployment
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 13, 2019
Introduced in House
Nov 13, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
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 Latest action November 13, 2019

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

A Just Society: The Mercy In Re-entry Act

This bill prohibits the denial of federal public benefits to an individual solely on the basis of that individual's criminal conviction (whether under federal, state, tribal, or foreign law).

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 5
All 5 Democratic 3
CLAY, WM.
· Nov 13, 2019
 D
García, Jesús G. "Chuy"
Illinois · Nov 13, 2019
Lee, Barbara
· Nov 13, 2019
 D
Meng, Grace
New York · Nov 13, 2019
 D
Tlaib, Rashida
Michigan · Nov 13, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5070: A Just Society: The Mercy In Re-entry Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5070/
MLA
"H.R. 5070: A Just Society: The Mercy In Re-entry Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5070/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5070, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5070/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5070: A Just Society: The Mercy In Re-entry Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5070/)
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