Judges would be able to add up to 10 extra years onto prison sentences for people convicted of kidnapping, murder-for-hire, stalking, assaulting federal officials, or threatening a federal employee's family — if the crime was carried out under the direction of a foreign government. The DETERRENCE Act creates these sentencing enhancements across multiple federal criminal statutes. For attempted crimes directed by a foreign government, the added time is up to 5 years. The bill is aimed at foreign-sponsored plots against U.S. officials and residents, such as assassination or kidnapping operations.
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
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Passed Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-06-10
- Date Added
- 2026-04-10
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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