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119-s-1136119th Congress

DETERRENCE Act

Sponsored By: Senator Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

Passed Senate

Summary

Strengthens criminal penalties when offenses are directed or coordinated with foreign governments. It creates a single, cross-cutting set of sentence enhancements that apply across kidnapping, murder-for-hire, stalking, attacks on federal officials, and presidential protection.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Harsher penalties for foreign-backed attacks on officials

This bill would raise sentences for crimes against the President, other protected officials, and their families when a foreign government directed or coordinated the act. Courts would be able to add up to 10 years for attacks, kidnappings, or related crimes against the President or other protected officials, including when a weapon was used or someone was hurt. For crimes against federal officers and employees, courts would be able to add up to 10 years. For threats or assaults on an official’s family, courts would be able to add up to 5 years for assaults with physical contact or intent to commit another felony, and up to 10 years if there was bodily injury, a dangerous weapon, conduct equal to sexual assault under 18 U.S.C. 2241 or 2242, or murder, attempted murder, or conspiracy to murder. Conspiracies would qualify when at least one conspirator worked with a foreign government and the defendant knew that.

Tougher sentences for foreign-backed kidnapping, stalking, and murder-for-hire

This bill would raise sentences for kidnapping, stalking, and murder-for-hire when a foreign government directed or coordinated the crime. For kidnapping, courts would be able to add up to 10 years for a conviction, up to 10 years for a conspiracy when one conspirator worked with a foreign government and the defendant knew, and up to 5 years for an attempt. For murder-for-hire, courts would be able to add up to 5 years, or up to 10 years if someone was injured. For stalking, courts would be able to add up to 5 years if there was serious bodily injury, a dangerous weapon, or the victim was under 18; up to 10 years if the victim died; and up to 30 months in other covered cases.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

NH • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2025

  • Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2025

  • Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 3/26/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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