This legislation empowers the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal , commissioning privately armed entities. These entities would be authorized to seize individuals and their property outside U.S. territory. The targets are members of cartels , cartel-linked organizations, or associated conspirators deemed responsible for acts of aggression against the United States . The bill mandates a security bond for each letter of marque to ensure its proper execution. It defines "cartel" by referencing existing executive orders and definitions of "transnational criminal organizations," asserting that such groups pose an extraordinary threat to national security and foreign policy.