Gallego’s Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on ATM Crime Passes Out of Committee

WASHINGTON –Today, bipartisan legislation fromSenator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)andSenator Ted Cruz (R-TX)to crack down on ATM crime unanimously passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. TheSafe Access to Cash Actwould ensure the same federal penalties for bank robberies apply to off-site ATM robberies.
“Families and small businesses in Arizona rely on ATMs in grocery stores and gas stations for nearby access to cash. As bank branches reduce their physical footprint, ATMs remain key in extending access to financial services. But criminals have figured out that standalone ATMs are easier targets than banks, and ATM robberies are increasing,”said Senator Gallego.“Under current law, these robberies aren’t treated the same as bank robberies, even though the crime is the same. This bipartisan bill closes that loophole, and I’m proud to see it move out of committee and one step closer to becoming law.”
Robbers and thieves are increasingly targeting ATMs, with theft rates rising dramatically each year since 2019. ATMs can be robbed in as little as three minutes and may hold as much as $250,000. However, The Federal Bank Robbery Act of 1934 currently only protects banks and financial institutions, not standalone ATMs in malls, convenience stores, and public locations. TheSafe Access to Cash Actensures that robberies involving off-site ATMs receive federal penalties equal to those imposed for on-site robberies of financial institutions.
Read the full legislationHERE.