Rewrites the federal carjacking law that punishes people who take someone else's motor vehicle by force, violence, or intimidation. Right now, prosecutors must prove the person intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to win a conviction; this bill would lower that bar so prosecutors only need to show the person acted "knowingly" when taking the vehicle. It creates a new middle penalty tier — up to 25 years in prison — for cases where the vehicle is taken with intent to harm, or where a firearm is brandished or fired during the crime, and someone is seriously injured. The most severe penalties, including cases where a death results, would still require proof that the person intended to cause death or serious bodily harm. The changes apply nationwide to carjacking cases prosecuted under federal law.
Criminal Justice & Due Process
- Carjacking mens rea — Base offense broadened from requiring intent to cause death or serious harm to acting knowingly
- Carjacking penalty tier — New 25-year maximum added for cases involving a brandished or discharged firearm and resulting injury
Congressional Summary
Federal Carjacking Enforcement ActThis bill lowers the threshold the government must meet to establish that a defendant committed a federal carjacking offense.Under current law, the federal carjacking statute prohibits taking (or attempting to take) a motor vehicle from the presence of another by force and violence or intimidation, with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm.This bill removes the requirement that a defendant take (or attempt to take) a motor vehicle with the specific intent to cause death or serious bodily harm. Under the bill, the government need only prove that a defendant took (or attempted to take) a motor vehicle knowingly. A violation (or attempted violation) is subject to the same criminal penalties as under current law—a fine, a prison term of up to 15 years, or both.A violation that results in death or serious bodily injury is subject to the same criminal penalties as under current law—a fine, a prison term of up to 25 years, or both—but only if the offense involves certain aggravating circumstances: (1) the motor vehicle is taken with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm, or (2) a firearm is brandished or discharged during the offense.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Reported to Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-05-11
- Date Added
- 2026-07-02
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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