What does Preamble of DETERRENCE Act do?

This bill authorizes sentencing enhancements for certain criminal offenses. The offenses must be 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 this coordination. An attempt to commit kidnapping may result in a 5-year sentence increase if it was knowingly directed by 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 redesignated subsection (c) of Section 1958 will include 'Definitions.' Technical and conforming amendments are made to Sections 2332b(g)(2) and 1010A(d) of Title 18 and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, respectively, to reference 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 addressing sentencing enhancements for offenses involving threats or harm to a federal official's family member. If an offense under subsection (a) was committed knowingly at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent, sentencing may be increased. The sentence may be increased by up to 5 years if the offense was an assault with 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 stalking results in the death of the victim. 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 inserted after subsection (a) of Section 1114. The new subsection (b) provides for sentence enhancements for offenses under subsection (a) if committed at the direction or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent. The sentence of a person convicted under subsection (a) may be increased by up to 10 years under the new subsection (b).

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

This section amends Section 1751 of Title 18, United States Code, concerning 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 of or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent. It provides for a potential 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 that coordination. It allows for a 10-year sentence increase for offenses under subsection (e) if the victim was a designated individual and the offense was committed at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent. The sentence may also be increased by up to 10 years under subsection (e) if the offense involved a dangerous weapon or resulted in personal injury and was committed at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent.

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DETERRENCE Act

Last updated: 6/11/2025 · Introduced: 3/26/2025

Author: Maggie Hassan (D-NH)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill introduces sentence enhancements for kidnapping offenses if directed by or coordinated with a foreign government, potentially increasing sentences by up to 10 years.
The DETERRENCE Act modifies laws related to murder-for-hire, adding potential sentence increases of up to 5 or 10 years if the offense involves foreign government direction or coordination.
Offenses involving threats or harm to a federal official's family member may receive increased sentences, up to 10 years, if coordinated with a foreign government or its agent.
Stalking offenses committed at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or its agents are subject to enhanced penalties, potentially increasing sentences by up to 10 years if the stalking results in the victim's death.
The bill allows for increased sentences, up to 10 years, for crimes targeting federal officers or presidential staff if committed at the direction or in coordination with a foreign government or its agent.

119th Congresspassed senateHR. 2394(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

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

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