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119-hr-2065119th Congress

Unmasking Hamas Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]

Introduced

Summary

Criminalizes wearing a disguise to interfere with someone’s constitutional rights. This bill would create a new federal offense making it illegal to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate a person while in disguise for exercising rights secured by the Constitution or federal law. It would carry penalties of fines, imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both, and it would add a 2-year prison enhancement when a disguise is worn during an offense under 18 U.S.C. 1363 (destruction of buildings or property within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction). The bill also defines who counts as a law enforcement officer and says it does not deter officers from carrying out lawful duties.

Show full summary
  • Students and campuses: Masked threats or intimidation at colleges and universities are singled out in the bill’s findings, and individuals who commit those acts while disguised could face federal charges and jail time.
  • Protesters and activists: People who use disguises to threaten or intimidate others while exercising rights could face fines and up to 15 years in prison for the new offense.
  • Law enforcement and prosecutors: The bill creates a specific federal charge they can use against disguised individuals and includes a definition of "law enforcement officer" to guide enforcement.
  • Defendants and courts: Cases involving destruction of property under Sec. 1363 would carry an extra 2 years in prison if the defendant wore a disguise during the offense.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Tougher penalties for masked intimidation and vandalism

If enacted, this would make it a federal crime to harm or threaten someone while in disguise. It would apply when a person targets someone’s use of rights under the Constitution or federal law, or because they used those rights. A conviction could bring up to 15 years in prison, a fine, or both. It would also add 2 years of prison time for destroying buildings or property under federal special jurisdiction if a disguise was worn during the crime. Law enforcement officers lawfully doing their jobs would not be limited by this section.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Knott, Brad [R-NC-13]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/18/2025

  • Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/25/2025

  • Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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