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119-hr-1238119th Congress

Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

Introduced

Summary

Authorizes the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal to respond to cartel aggression. It centers presidential power on using private armed actors to punish, deter, and prevent transnational cartel threats.

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  • Private contractors and armed groups: Would let privately armed and equipped persons be commissioned to locate, seize, and hold people and property outside U.S. territory under presidential instructions. Issuance of a letter would require posting a security bond in an amount the President sets.
  • Cartel-affiliated individuals: People the President determines are cartel members, cartel-linked, or conspirators could be seized or have property taken abroad.
  • Legal definition and scope: Targets are tied to organizations named in the January 20, 2025 Executive Order and to the statutory definition of transnational criminal organizations in Public Law 118-50, shaping who qualifies for action.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Private groups could target cartels abroad

If enacted, the President could issue official letters to private armed groups to act against cartels abroad. They could seize people and property tied to cartels, but only outside U.S. territory. Targets would need to be members or associates responsible for an act of aggression against the United States. The President would set instructions, limit how many groups serve, and require a security bond. “Cartel” would follow the January 20, 2025 executive order and the federal definition of transnational criminal organizations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]

TN • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 2/18/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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