# 119-s-1949: Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act

119-s-1949, Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (R-IA); status introduced (as of 2026-08-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1949
- As of: 2026-08-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-1949
- Congress: 119
- Title: Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-06-04
- Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (R-IA)
- Cosponsors: 12
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-08-11

## Summary

**This bill would tighten federal criminal law by imposing expanded penalties and conspiracy liability across violent and drug offenses.** It would broaden who can be charged for attempted or conspiratorial acts, lower the knowledge standard for assaults on federal officers, raise carjacking and kidnapping penalties, and create a new offense targeting candy-flavored drugs marketed to youth. - Families and children: Creates a new offense banning manufacture or distribution of candy-flavored Schedule I or II drugs marketed or altered to look like candy or drinks when done with knowledge or reasonable cause to believe the substance will go to someone under 18. A first conviction can bring up to 10 years in prison and a repeat offense up to 20 years. - Defendants and violent offenders: Broadens conspiracy and attempt liability for bank robbery and firearms-related offenses and raises carjacking penalties, increasing the base maximum to 20 years and allowing up to 40 years in certain aggravated cases. - Federal officers and people who confront them: Lowers the mens rea for assaulting federal officers so prosecutors need prove only that the defendant knew the victim was a federal official or was generally aware of the facts. - Courts and sentencing: Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend guidelines, including a penalty enhancement for offenses involving candy-flavored controlled substances and adjustments for conspiracy and attempt cases.

## Cosponsors (12)

- Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR] (R-AR), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND] (R-ND), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (R-LA), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK] (R-OK), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY] (R-KY), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] (R-ME), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV] (R-WV), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID] (R-ID), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC] (R-NC), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] (R-ID), 2025-06-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN] (R-TN), 2025-06-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA] (R-PA), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Ban on candy-like drugs for minors: benefit, low. If enacted, it would be illegal to make or sell some Schedule I or II drugs that look like candy or drinks. This applies when the person knows or reasonably believes the buyer is under 18. A first offense would add up to 10 years in prison. A second or later offense would add up to 20 years. Senten…
- Broader federal kidnapping rules: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would replace the federal kidnapping definition with a broader one. It lists the acts that count and when federal jurisdiction applies. It would not apply when a parent acts against their minor child. Penalties include any term of years, life, and death if someone dies.
- Gun penalties for attempts and conspiracies: benefit, low. If enacted, attempts and conspiracies would count as qualifying crimes under the federal gun statute. Prosecutors could use certain federal gun penalties when the underlying crime was an attempt or conspiracy.
- Higher carjacking penalties and scope: benefit, low. If enacted, the carjacking law would cover more acts and conspiracies. The base maximum prison time would rise to 20 years. If a weapon is used, the maximum could be 25 years. Another penalty maximum would be raised to 40 years. People charged could face higher maximum sentences.
- Lower proof needed in federal assaults: benefit, low. If enacted, prosecutors would not have to prove attackers knew the victim was a federal officer. They would only need to show the attacker had knowledge, not a higher intent.
- Stronger rules for bank robbery: benefit, low. If enacted, the bill would change wording for attempted bank robbery. It would make conspirators face the same penalties as the main crime. People charged could be prosecuted under the clarified rules.

## Related bills

- 119-s-1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025
- 119-s-5: Laken Riley Act
- 119-sres-913: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former United States Senator for the State of Kansas.
- 119-sres-897: A resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the Honorable Jon Llewellyn Kyl, former Senator for the State of Arizona.
- 119-sres-801: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Lindsey Olin Graham, a Senator from the State of South Carolina.
- 119-sres-755: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for the State of Michigan.

## Sources
- [119-s-1949 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1949)

## Related
- [119-s-1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1241)
- [119-s-5: Laken Riley Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5)
- [119-sres-913: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former Uni…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-913)
- [119-sres-897: A resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the Honorable Jon Llewel…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-897)
- [119-sres-801: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Lindsey Olin Graham,…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-801)
- [119-sres-755: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former S…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-755)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1949 (as of 2026-08-11).