No Troops in Our Streets Act of 2025

Bill Number

S. 3167

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-07: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2025-11-25T19:11:14Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "No Troops in Our Streets Act of 2025" aims to restrict the domestic use of U.S. military forces by empowering Congress to end certain authorizations for such deployments. It also provides additional funding to strengthen state and local law enforcement as an alternative to federal or military involvement in domestic policing.

Key Provisions

• Congressional Oversight on Military Deployments:
• Amends the Posse Comitatus Act (18 U.S.C. § 1385), which generally prohibits using federal military forces for domestic law enforcement, to allow Congress to terminate any existing exceptions (e.g., temporary authorizations for military aid in civil unrest) through a "joint resolution of disapproval."
• Defines the joint resolution with specific wording requirements, including details on the location, authority, actions, and duration of the prohibition.
• Establishes expedited procedures for introducing, debating, and voting on these resolutions in both the Senate (e.g., automatic discharge from committee after 5 days, limited debate) and House of Representatives (e.g., 2-hour debate limit, waiver of certain procedural hurdles).
• Applies similar congressional termination authority to activations of the militia or National Guard under 10 U.S.C. § 12406, which allows the President to call up reserves for domestic insurrections or invasions.
• Includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part is ruled unconstitutional, the rest remains in effect.
• Clarifies that Congress's failure to act on a resolution does not imply approval.

• Funding for State and Local Law Enforcement:
• Allocates $600 million for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to support general state and local crime-fighting efforts (with exceptions to certain allocation rules).
• Provides $150 million for community violence intervention and prevention initiatives.
• Appropriates $50 million for emergency law enforcement assistance, with up to $10 million per incident directed by the President (with state/local approval) for urgent needs.
• Adds $100 million for hiring or rehiring career law enforcement officers under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program.
• Prohibits using these funds to assign federal law enforcement personnel to state or local duties.
• Designates all funds as an "emergency requirement" for fiscal year 2026, making them available until spent.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Posse Comitatus Act (18 U.S.C. § 1385): Previously, exceptions to the ban on military involvement in domestic law enforcement were set by law or executive action without a direct congressional "off-switch." This bill introduces a fast-track mechanism for Congress to revoke those exceptions via joint resolution, streamlining the process to bypass typical legislative delays.
• Militia Activation (10 U.S.C. § 12406): Adds congressional termination authority to presidential calls for National Guard or reserve activations in domestic emergencies, which was not previously available.
• Funding Laws: Increases appropriations beyond existing budgets for programs under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 and related statutes, with new restrictions on federal personnel deployment and relaxed rules for grant distribution (e.g., no special Puerto Rico provisions).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Enhances Congress's role in checking executive branch decisions on domestic military use, potentially limiting the Department of Defense or President's flexibility in crises like protests or natural disasters. Boosts resources for the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, enabling more support for local police without relying on military or federal agents.
• On Citizens: Reduces the risk of federal troops being used in U.S. streets for law enforcement, promoting civilian policing. The funding could improve community safety through grants for hiring, violence prevention, and emergency aid, particularly in high-crime or unrest-affected areas.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic deployments; however, it could indirectly affect U.S. military readiness by constraining reserve activations that might otherwise prepare forces for overseas duties.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Congress: Gains new tools to oversee and limit executive military actions domestically, with streamlined procedures favoring quick action.
• Executive Branch (President, DoD, DOJ): Faces restrictions on sustaining military or federal law enforcement deployments without congressional approval; benefits from emergency funding directives but cannot redirect funds to federal assignments.
• State and Local Governments/Law Enforcement: Receives substantial new grants for personnel, violence prevention, and emergencies, potentially reducing dependence on federal military support.
• Citizens and Communities: Protected from prolonged military presence in civilian settings; urban or unrest-prone areas may see enhanced local policing capabilities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal/Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's constitutional authority over military matters (e.g., under Article I, Section 8, to declare war and make rules for the armed forces) by creating a check on executive powers under laws like the Insurrection Act. The expedited procedures act as congressional rulemaking, potentially challenging separation of powers if tested in court, but the severability clause aims to preserve the law's core. No inference of congressional intent from inaction protects against judicial overreach.
• Political: Sponsored by a bipartisan group of senators, it could appeal to those concerned about military overreach in domestic affairs (e.g., during protests). The emergency funding designation bypasses budget caps, signaling urgency but inviting debates on fiscal priorities. If enacted, it might set a precedent for congressional interventions in executive emergency powers, influencing future legislation on civil liberties and national security.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]

Cosponsors (4)

Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-07: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-11-07: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• No Troops in Our Streets Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-07 — PDF (13 pages)