Rep. Armando Walle Statement on Priority Bail Legislation

(Austin, TEXAS) – Today, the Texas House passed the Senate’s priority bail legislation package on third reading. Senate Joint Resolution 5 and Senate Bill 9 will now return to the other chamber for the Senate to either approve or send to conference committee. 

Rep. Armando Walle (House District 140) voted for the legislation, and released the following statement:

“Keeping our communities safe and treating folks fairly ought to go hand in hand. After talking with folks back home and digging into the details, I’m proud to support this common-sense fix to our bail system — one I believe will help my neighbors, friends, and family right here in our district.

“It has to be said — there’s been a whole lot of fear-mongering on this issue this Session, with certain interests singling out our immigrant communities, while driving a wedge between Texas cities and small towns. That kind of talk doesn’t make anybody safer. What it does is get in the way of the real work we need to do to build a justice system that works for everyone.

“That said, our bail system does need fixing. Right now, it’s money, not risk, that decides who stays behind bars and who walks free. That isn’t right, and it sure isn’t safe. I didn’t take this vote lightly, but I believe SB 9 and SJR 5 are steps in the right direction toward a safer Texas that still protects both liberty and justice.”

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State Rep. Armando Walle serves House District 140 in Harris County. For questions regarding the information in this release, please contact Cara Santucci, Chief of Staff, by email at cara.santucci@house.texas.gov.