Legis Daily

DETERRENCE Act

USA119th CongressS-1136| Senate 
| Updated: 6/11/2025
Margaret Wood Hassan

Margaret Wood Hassan

Democratic Senator

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (3)
Joni Ernst (Republican)Jim Banks (Republican)Elissa Slotkin (Democratic)

Governmental Operations and Border Management Subcommittee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill introduces significant amendments to federal criminal law, primarily authorizing enhanced sentencing for a range of offenses when committed knowingly at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or an agent of a foreign government. The legislation targets crimes such as kidnapping , murder-for-hire , influencing federal officials by threatening family members , stalking , and offenses against United States officers and employees , as well as presidential and presidential staff assassination, kidnapping, and assault . By increasing penalties, the bill seeks to deter and provide stronger legal recourse against state-sponsored criminal activities. For kidnapping , the bill allows for sentence increases of up to 10 years for the offense itself, conspiracy, or attempt, if foreign government involvement is proven. Similarly, murder-for-hire offenses can see an additional 5 to 10 years, with the higher enhancement applied if personal injury results from the foreign-directed crime. Enhanced penalties for stalking can range from 30 months to 10 years, depending on factors like serious bodily injury or death. Offenses involving influencing federal officials or harming United States officers and employees also face potential 5 to 10-year increases when linked to foreign government direction. The legislation consistently applies these enhancements across various sections of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, ensuring a unified approach to deterring and punishing foreign-orchestrated criminal acts.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5398
DETERRENCE Act
Mar 26, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2394
Introduced in House
Mar 26, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 26, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 10, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs. Hearings held.
Jun 10, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Jun 10, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S3322-3323)
Jun 10, 2025
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3322-3323)
Jun 10, 2025
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Jun 11, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jun 11, 2025
Received in the House.
Jun 11, 2025
Held at the desk.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5398
    DETERRENCE Act


  • March 26, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2394
    Introduced in House


  • March 26, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 26, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • June 10, 2025
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs. Hearings held.


  • June 10, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • June 10, 2025
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S3322-3323)


  • June 10, 2025
    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3322-3323)


  • June 10, 2025
    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • June 11, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • June 11, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • June 11, 2025
    Held at the desk.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2394: DETERRENCE Act
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingHuman traffickingLaw enforcement officersPresidential administrationsSubversive activitiesTerrorismViolent crime

DETERRENCE Act

USA119th CongressS-1136| Senate 
| Updated: 6/11/2025
This bill introduces significant amendments to federal criminal law, primarily authorizing enhanced sentencing for a range of offenses when committed knowingly at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or an agent of a foreign government. The legislation targets crimes such as kidnapping , murder-for-hire , influencing federal officials by threatening family members , stalking , and offenses against United States officers and employees , as well as presidential and presidential staff assassination, kidnapping, and assault . By increasing penalties, the bill seeks to deter and provide stronger legal recourse against state-sponsored criminal activities. For kidnapping , the bill allows for sentence increases of up to 10 years for the offense itself, conspiracy, or attempt, if foreign government involvement is proven. Similarly, murder-for-hire offenses can see an additional 5 to 10 years, with the higher enhancement applied if personal injury results from the foreign-directed crime. Enhanced penalties for stalking can range from 30 months to 10 years, depending on factors like serious bodily injury or death. Offenses involving influencing federal officials or harming United States officers and employees also face potential 5 to 10-year increases when linked to foreign government direction. The legislation consistently applies these enhancements across various sections of Title 18 of the U.S. Code, ensuring a unified approach to deterring and punishing foreign-orchestrated criminal acts.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5398
DETERRENCE Act
Mar 26, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2394
Introduced in House
Mar 26, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 26, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 10, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs. Hearings held.
Jun 10, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Jun 10, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S3322-3323)
Jun 10, 2025
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3322-3323)
Jun 10, 2025
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Jun 11, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jun 11, 2025
Received in the House.
Jun 11, 2025
Held at the desk.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5398
    DETERRENCE Act


  • March 26, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2394
    Introduced in House


  • March 26, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 26, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • June 10, 2025
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs. Hearings held.


  • June 10, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • June 10, 2025
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S3322-3323)


  • June 10, 2025
    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3322-3323)


  • June 10, 2025
    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • June 11, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • June 11, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • June 11, 2025
    Held at the desk.
Margaret Wood Hassan

Margaret Wood Hassan

Democratic Senator

New Hampshire

Cosponsors (3)
Joni Ernst (Republican)Jim Banks (Republican)Elissa Slotkin (Democratic)

Governmental Operations and Border Management Subcommittee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2394: DETERRENCE Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingHuman traffickingLaw enforcement officersPresidential administrationsSubversive activitiesTerrorismViolent crime