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119-hr-6953119th Congress

Violent Insurrection Recidivist Enhancement Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]

Introduced

Summary

Creates new recidivist sentence enhancements for violent insurrection-related federal crimes. It would define "violent insurrection" to include unlawful entry of the Capitol, White House, or Supreme Court with violence, obstruction of election proceedings, property damage, attempts, and conspiracies.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Higher sentences for repeat insurrection defendants

If enacted, the bill would create tiered sentence increases for federal defendants tied to violent insurrection. "Violent insurrection" would cover unlawful entry of the Capitol, White House, or Supreme Court grounds plus violence, threats, obstruction of election proceedings, or property damage; attempts and conspiracies would also count. A defendant could get extra prison time only if they are convicted of such an act, have a prior conviction for the same kind of act, and the instant crime was committed after enactment. The extra prison terms would be: up to 4 years generally; 5 years if the underlying federal crime is punishable by 10 or more years; 10 years if the underlying crime involved violence against a Federal official, damage to Federal property, obstruction of an official Federal proceeding, or occurred on Federal property; and, for certain listed offenses and a pattern of anti‑democratic conduct, life with a minimum 15-year term. The bill would also count prior violent insurrection convictions even if later pardoned or set aside, and it would generally let a later Presidential pardon not stop future enhanced penalties unless the pardon was granted for actual innocence or a reversible legal error. These changes would take effect upon enactment.

Appeal rights for people sentenced

If enacted, the bill would say nothing in the Act should be read to deny anyone their constitutional rights. The bill would preserve the right of anyone sentenced under the Act to appeal both their underlying conviction and any enhanced penalty. This provision would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/6/2026

  • Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 1/6/2026

  • Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/6/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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