H.R. 8940: Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act
On May 20, 2026, Rep. Ayanna Pressley introduced H.R. 8940, the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee and has not become law.
The proposal would prohibit a death sentence or execution for any violation of federal law. It would also require resentencing for people who were already sentenced to death under federal law before the measure took effect.
Why a federal bill matters in Western New York
New York does not have a working state death penalty. Federal prosecutors can still seek a death sentence in limited federal cases, which is why national law remains relevant to the Buffalo community.
The coalition supports public safety, accountability, and care for victims and survivors without an execution. H.R. 8940 puts that question directly before Congress: whether the federal government should retain the power to impose a death sentence.