Count the Crimes to Cut Act

The Count the Crimes to Cut Act aims to address the complexity of the federal criminal code by requiring the government to identify and list every federal crime currently on the books. Under this proposal, the Attorney General and the heads of various federal agencies would be required to submit detailed reports to Congress within one year. These reports would include a complete list of all criminal statutes and regulations, the specific legal elements required to prove a crime, the potential penalties, and the mental state (mens rea) required for a conviction.

If enacted, the bill would also require the Department of Justice and other agencies to create a publicly accessible online index of these offenses. This index would include data on how often each crime has been prosecuted over the last 15 years. The goal of the legislation is to provide transparency for citizens and businesses who may be unaware of the vast number of federal regulations that carry criminal penalties.

By creating a centralized inventory of federal crimes, the bill seeks to help lawmakers identify redundant, outdated, or unnecessary laws. Supporters suggest this would allow Congress to eventually consolidate or eliminate certain offenses, while critics of the current system argue that the sheer volume of federal criminal laws makes it difficult for the average person to understand their legal liabilities.