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HR-2394House2025-03-26Crime and Law Enforcement

DETERRENCE Act

YourVoice.Now Summary

Criminal Justice & Due Process

Longer sentences for kidnapping, stalking, and murder-for-hire when a foreign government directed the crime.

Criminal Justice & Due Process

  • Kidnapping sentences — Up to 10 added years when a foreign government directed the offense
  • Murder-for-hire sentences — Up to 5 added years, or 10 if injury results
  • Stalking sentences — Up to 30 added months even with no aggravating factor
  • Sentences for attacks on federal officials — Up to 10 added years, including presidential staff

The details

Crimes committed on behalf of a foreign government would carry longer prison sentences. The added time covers kidnapping, murder-for-hire, and stalking. It also covers assaults on federal officials and their family members. A judge could add up to 10 years for kidnapping directed by a foreign government. Murder-for-hire could add 5 years, or 10 years if someone is injured. Stalking could add 30 months in an ordinary case. That rises to 5 years when a weapon is used or the victim is under 18. It rises to 10 years if the victim dies. The enhancements apply only when the offender knew a foreign government was involved. Attacks on the President and presidential staff carry the same 10-year addition.

Congressional Summary

Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors Act or the DETERRENCE ActThis bill establishes sentencing enhancements for various federal criminal offenses if the offenses are directed by or coordinated with a foreign government.

Legislative Subjects

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencingHuman traffickingLaw enforcement officersPresidential administrationsSubversive activitiesTerrorismViolent crime

Details

Congress
119th
Chamber
House
Status
summarized
Action
Introduced in House
Action Date
2025-03-26
Date Added
2026-07-23
Source
Congress.gov →

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