Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Ciscomani
In Committee
Summary
Stops transnational criminal organizations from using social media to recruit people for cross-border crimes. This bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department, and the State Department to assess how illicit groups recruit on covered online services and to build a national strategy to disrupt that recruitment while protecting privacy and civil liberties.
Show full summary
- Families and minors: Focuses on protecting privacy and civil rights for people targeted online and requires a civil rights and privacy assessment within 2 years after the strategy is implemented.
- Platforms and operators: Defines "covered services" to include social media, messaging-capable apps, and real-time interactive platforms like multiplayer games and immersive tech. The strategy would encourage voluntary reporting of recruitment information while including a rule that does not expand enforcement or regulatory authority.
- Federal and international response: Directs DHS, DOJ, and State to produce a joint assessment within 180 days and a joint national strategy within 1 year. The strategy must guide interagency cooperation, intelligence analysis, outreach in border communities, and recurring joint reports on evolving recruitment methods.
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.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
National plan to curb cartel recruiting online
If enacted, DHS, DOJ, and State would give Congress a joint assessment within 180 days on how cartels use online services. Within 1 year, they would send a national strategy that targets recruitment (not recruits), protects privacy and civil rights, and does not rely on future laws. The plan would include sharing across and within agencies, a voluntary reporting process, work with foreign partners, and youth outreach near the border. They would start work within 90 days after sending the plan; DHS would issue rules under the Administrative Procedure Act first. Public updates would come every six months for 5 years, and a civil rights and privacy review would be due 2 years after implementation.
Which online platforms would be covered
If enacted, “covered services” would include social media. DHS could also name apps with group or direct messages, and real-time platforms like multiplayer games or immersive tech, when cartels use them. Plain text messaging and email without other social features would be excluded. A “covered operator” would include the operator, developer, or publisher.
No new powers or funding
If enacted, the bill would not give DHS, DOJ, or State new enforcement or regulatory powers. It would not authorize extra money; agencies would use existing funds unless Congress later provides appropriations. These guardrails could limit the program’s reach while setting clear limits on federal authority.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ciscomani
AZ • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
PA • D
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
OH • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov