Gaydos: House Democrats Put Politics Ahead of Public Safety

July 24, 2026

HARRISBURG - Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) voted against House Bill 1042 after House Democrats amended the legislation, replacing a bipartisan Senate-passed solution with provisions that weaken accountability for violent offenders and create uncertainty for crime victims and their families.

“The Pennsylvania Supreme Court gave the General Assembly 120 days to address this issue. On day 119, I voted in favor of returning to the Senate’s bipartisan bill because it could have been on the governor’s desk today, providing a clear and timely response to the court’s ruling,” said Gaydos. “Instead, House Democrats abandoned that bipartisan approach at the last minute, replacing it with their own proposal that favors convicted killers over victims and public safety. Pennsylvanians deserve better.”

The Senate-passed bill established sentencing guidelines for individuals convicted of second-degree murder following the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's ruling. Rather than sending that bipartisan measure to the governor, House Democrats amended the bill to add medical parole provisions and replace the Senate's sentencing framework with language that gives judges broad discretion in sentencing individuals convicted of second-degree murder.

“With the deadline Friday, July 24, and no remedy in place, the more than 1,100 prisoners convicted of murder who are affected by this lapse could challenge their sentences, potentially opening the door to their release into Pennsylvania communities,” said Gaydos.

“Pennsylvania families deserve a criminal justice system that prioritizes victims, protects our communities and holds violent offenders accountable. Instead of advancing a bill that had already passed the Senate, House Democrats loaded it with unrelated provisions that make an already difficult issue even more complicated.

“Legislation affecting public safety should never be rushed through the House with major amendments released at the last minute. Pennsylvanians deserve an open process and laws that put public safety first, not politics.”

Gaydos voted “yes” on the motion to restore the Senate language and “no” on the amended House bill.

House Bill 1042 passed the House and now moves to the Senate on concurrence. 



Representative Valerie Gaydos
44th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
717.260.6437
rleiner@pahousegop.com