PRIA Logo™
119-s-2198119th CongressWALLET

Military in Law Enforcement Accountability Act

Sponsored By: Senator Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

Introduced

Summary

Limits DoD support for domestic law enforcement to six narrowly defined emergencies. This bill would require a presidential written justification for each use, cap DoD assistance at 14 days unless Congress approves an extension, ban simultaneous Department of Defense and civilian law enforcement service in most cases, and create a private right of action for violations.

Show full summary
  • State and local authorities and communities: DoD support would be allowed only for six types of domestic crises and emergencies, and deployments are capped at 14 days without a congressional joint resolution to extend the period.
  • Service members and reserve personnel: The bill would bar simultaneous service in the Department of Defense and civilian law enforcement. Reserve members may keep civilian law enforcement jobs but must recuse those duties when ordered to active duty.
  • Individuals, states, and local governments: Any person or government aggrieved by a violation could sue in U.S. district court and seek injunctive relief or damages.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Broader rules for military support

If enacted, the bill would remove the words that limit a key rule to "civil disturbances." That change would make the rule apply to more kinds of situations when members of the Armed Forces and federal law enforcement assist federal authorities. The change would take effect upon enactment.

Limits on using military for policing

If enacted, the bill would limit when the Department of Defense can help civilian law enforcement. DoD help would be allowed only in six situations (humanitarian crisis, natural disaster, public health emergency, critical infrastructure attack, nuclear or military attack, or a domestic terrorist incident). The President must send Congress a written justification saying civilian authorities could be overwhelmed before help starts. DoD help could not last more than 14 days unless Congress passes a special joint resolution to extend it.

Right to sue for federal violations

If enacted, a person, State, or local government aggrieved by a federal violation of this bill could bring a civil lawsuit in U.S. district court. A court could award injunctions, other equitable relief, and damages. This right would take effect upon enactment.

Ban on serving in DoD and police

If enacted, you could not serve in the Department of Defense and in a civilian police or law enforcement job at the same time. An exception lets certain reservists named in 10 U.S.C. 10101 keep a civilian law enforcement job. But if that reservist is called to active duty, they must officially recuse from their civilian police duties.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 6/26/2025

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/26/2025

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 7/1/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/1/2025

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation