What does Preamble of DETERRENCE Act do?

This bill aims to authorize sentencing enhancements for specific criminal offenses. The offenses in question are those directed by or coordinated with foreign governments.

What does SHORT TITLE. of DETERRENCE Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors Act.

What does KIDNAPPING. of DETERRENCE Act do?

This section amends Section 1201 of Title 18, United States Code, concerning kidnapping. It introduces sentence enhancements for kidnapping offenses directed by or coordinated with foreign governments. The sentence for a kidnapping conviction may be increased by up to 10 years if the offense was committed knowingly at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government. A similar 10-year sentence increase applies to those convicted of conspiring to commit kidnapping if the conspiracy involved coordination with a foreign government and the defendant knew of that coordination. An attempt to commit kidnapping can result in a 5-year sentence increase if knowingly directed or coordinated with a foreign government.

What does USE OF INTERSTATE COMMERCE FACILITIES IN THE COMMISSION OF of DETERRENCE Act do?

This section amends Section 1958 of Title 18, United States Code, concerning the use of interstate commerce facilities in murder-for-hire. It introduces sentence enhancements for offenses under Section 1958 if committed at the direction or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent. The sentence may be increased by up to 5 years if the offense was committed knowingly at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or an agent. The sentence may be increased by up to 10 years if the offense was committed knowingly at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or an agent, and personal injury results. The text redesignates subsection (b) of Section 1958 as subsection (c) and inserts a new subsection (b) with the sentence enhancement provisions. It also adds 'Definitions.--' before 'As used in this section' in the redesignated subsection (c). Technical and conforming amendments are made to Sections 2332b(g)(2) and 1010A(d) of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to reflect the changes to Section 1958.

What does INFLUENCING, IMPEDING, OR RETALIATING AGAINST A FEDERAL of DETERRENCE Act do?

This section amends Section 115(b) of Title 18, United States Code. It adds a provision regarding increased sentences for offenses under subsection (a) if committed knowingly at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent. The sentence may be increased by up to 5 years if the offense was an assault involving physical contact or intent to commit another felony. The sentence may be increased by up to 10 years if the offense involved an assault resulting in bodily injury, conduct violating sections 2241 or 2242, or the use of a dangerous weapon. The sentence may be increased by up to 10 years if the offense was murder, attempted murder, or conspiracy to murder.

What does STALKING. of DETERRENCE Act do?

This section amends Section 2261A of Title 18, United States Code, concerning stalking. It introduces enhanced penalties for stalking offenses committed at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or its agents. The sentence may be increased by up to 5 years if serious bodily injury, use of a dangerous weapon, or a victim under 18 results. The sentence may be increased by up to 10 years if the victim's death results. In other cases, the sentence may be increased by up to 30 months.

What does PROTECTION OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE UNITED STATES. of DETERRENCE Act do?

This section amends Section 1114 of Title 18, United States Code. Subsection (b) of Section 1114 is redesignated as subsection (c). A new subsection (b) is added to Section 1114. The new subsection (b) allows for sentence enhancements if an offense under subsection (a) was committed at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent.

What does PRESIDENTIAL AND PRESIDENTIAL STAFF ASSASSINATION, KIDNAPPING, of DETERRENCE Act do?

This section amends Section 1751 of Title 18, United States Code, related to presidential and presidential staff assassination, kidnapping, and assault. It allows for an increase of up to 10 years in the sentence for offenses under subsections (a), (b), or (c) if committed at the direction or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent. It also allows for a 10-year sentence increase for conspiracy to kill or kidnap individuals designated in subsection (a) if the conspiracy involved coordination with a foreign government and the defendant knew of this coordination. The section provides for a potential 10-year sentence increase for offenses under subsection (e) if the victim was a designated individual and the offense was committed at the direction or in coordination with a foreign government or agent. Further sentence increases of up to 10 years are possible under subsection (e) if a dangerous weapon was used or personal injury resulted, and the offense was committed at the direction or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent.

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DETERRENCE Act

Last updated: 3/26/2025 · Introduced: 3/26/2025

Author: Ann Wagner (R-MO)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill introduces sentence enhancements for kidnapping offenses if directed or coordinated by a foreign government, potentially increasing sentences by up to 10 years.
The DETERRENCE Act modifies laws related to murder-for-hire, adding sentence increases of up to 5 or 10 years if the crime is linked to a foreign government or its agents.
Offenses like assault and retaliation against federal officers can receive increased sentences of up to 5 or 10 years if coordinated with a foreign government.
Stalking offenses committed at the direction of a foreign government or its agents now carry potential sentence increases of up to 30 months, 5 years, or 10 years depending on the severity.
The bill allows for sentence enhancements for crimes targeting U.S. officers and employees, as well as assassination, kidnapping, and assault against designated individuals, if linked to foreign government coordination.

119th Congressin committeeS. 1136(Passed Senate)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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