A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to include rioting in the definition of racketeering activity.
Sponsored By: Senator Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced
Summary
Adds rioting as a RICO predicate. This bill would amend 18 U.S.C. §1961(1) to add 18 U.S.C. §2101 (riots) to the list of predicate offenses, so riot violations could count toward a pattern of racketeering that supports RICO charges.
Show full summary
- Prosecutors: Gain the option to include riot violations as predicate acts when building RICO cases if those violations fit a pattern of racketeering.
- People accused of rioting: Could face RICO exposure if their riot-related conduct is part of a broader pattern that meets RICO's requirements.
- Organizations: Could be subject to RICO prosecution tied to riot-related predicate acts when those acts form a pattern of racketeering.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger legal risk for riot cases
If enacted, this bill would add the federal riot law to the list of crimes that count as racketeering under RICO. That means violations of the federal riot statute could be used as predicate acts when alleging a pattern of racketeering. The change would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
UT • R
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
AL • R
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Bill Hagerty
TN • R
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
TN • R
Sponsored 10/30/2025
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 11/3/2025
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 2/5/2026
Katie Britt
AL • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]
IN • R
Sponsored 3/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov