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Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act

USA119th CongressS-5000| Senate 
| Updated: 7/15/2026
Mike Lee

Mike Lee

Republican Senator

Utah

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act," grants the President the authority to issue cyber letters of marque and reprisal . These commissions empower private persons and entities to conduct limited cyberspace operations against designated foreign cyberthreats responsible for attacks against U.S. persons or assets. The legislation is rooted in the constitutional power of Congress to grant letters of marque and reprisal, aiming to address the significant financial losses Americans face from crypto-enabled scams, fraud, and ransomware. The primary purposes include deterring and disrupting cyber command and control structures, providing compensation for successful private action, and facilitating the return of stolen funds to victims of cyber-enabled crime. Authorized cyber operations can encompass intelligence collection, data recovery, asset seizure (including digital assets), disruption of malicious infrastructure, and limited offensive actions using malware. Recipients of these letters must post a security bond, are prohibited from targeting U.S. citizens or entities, and are granted protection from liability for expressly authorized acts. The bill also establishes financial mechanisms, allowing up to 15 percent of recovered assets to fund a bounty program for future operations, with remaining funds deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. It also permits rewards for individuals providing information leading to asset recovery, even without a letter of marque. The President is tasked with issuing guidance on the requirements and qualifications for receiving these cyber letters.
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Timeline
Jul 15, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9697
Introduced in House
Jul 15, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 15, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • July 15, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9697
    Introduced in House


  • July 15, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 15, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-9697: Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act

Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act

USA119th CongressS-5000| Senate 
| Updated: 7/15/2026
This bill, titled the "Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act," grants the President the authority to issue cyber letters of marque and reprisal . These commissions empower private persons and entities to conduct limited cyberspace operations against designated foreign cyberthreats responsible for attacks against U.S. persons or assets. The legislation is rooted in the constitutional power of Congress to grant letters of marque and reprisal, aiming to address the significant financial losses Americans face from crypto-enabled scams, fraud, and ransomware. The primary purposes include deterring and disrupting cyber command and control structures, providing compensation for successful private action, and facilitating the return of stolen funds to victims of cyber-enabled crime. Authorized cyber operations can encompass intelligence collection, data recovery, asset seizure (including digital assets), disruption of malicious infrastructure, and limited offensive actions using malware. Recipients of these letters must post a security bond, are prohibited from targeting U.S. citizens or entities, and are granted protection from liability for expressly authorized acts. The bill also establishes financial mechanisms, allowing up to 15 percent of recovered assets to fund a bounty program for future operations, with remaining funds deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. It also permits rewards for individuals providing information leading to asset recovery, even without a letter of marque. The President is tasked with issuing guidance on the requirements and qualifications for receiving these cyber letters.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jul 15, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9697
Introduced in House
Jul 15, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jul 15, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • July 15, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9697
    Introduced in House


  • July 15, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 15, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mike Lee

Mike Lee

Republican Senator

Utah

Foreign Relations Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 119-9697: Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted