U.S. Sentencing Commission adopts final policy priorities for 2025–26 amendment cycle

The United States Sentencing Commission voted to adopt and publish in the Federal Register its final policy priorities for the 2025–2026 amendment cycle. The commission’s general counsel told commissioners that the agency published a notice of possible policy priorities in the Federal Register on June 11, 2025, received public comment and revised its tentative priorities before bringing a final notice for adoption.
The action directs staff to publish the final notice in the Federal Register for the coming amendment cycle. The motion to adopt and publish was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote; the chair noted that at least three commissioners voted in favor. The commission did not record a roll-call tally during the voice vote adjudication in the transcript.
The priorities set by the commission will guide what guideline amendments the commission considers for drafting and potential promulgation during the 2025–26 cycle. Materials supporting the vote, including the published notice, agency impact analyses and public comments, were identified by commission staff as available at the agency website. Members of the commission thanked staff for preparing the research and draft priorities that informed the vote.
Documents and filings related to the adopted priorities and the agency’s notice of possible priorities are available at www.ussc.gov.