S. 1136 · Where this bill is now
In the House
Passed the Senate Jun 10, 2025. Received Jun 11, 2025; no House vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryTougher sentences for crimes coordinated by foreign governments
This bill would increase criminal sentences for people convicted of federal crimes if those crimes were directed or coordinated by a foreign government. It's designed to address situations where someone in the U.S. commits a federal crime on behalf of or in coordination with another country's government.
How it affects you
If you're accused of a federal crime, the potential penalty could be more severe if prosecutors prove the crime was directed or coordinated with a foreign government. This mainly affects people involved in crimes connected to foreign government direction, though the specific crimes covered and how much sentences would increase aren't detailed in the official summary.
Read the official summary (Passed Senate, Jun 10, 2025)
Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors Act or the DETERRENCE Act
This bill establishes sentencing enhancements for various federal criminal offenses if the offenses are directed by or coordinated with a foreign government.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1136
AN ACT
DETERRENCE Act
Sponsor: Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH) · Introduced Mar 26, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jun 11, 2025: “Held at the desk.”
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 2 official versions.
Sections · 7
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2KidnappingNo change
- Sec. 3Use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hireNo change
- Sec. 4Influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threatening or injuring a family memberNo change
- Sec. 5StalkingNo change
- Sec. 6Protection of officers and employees of the United StatesNo change
- Sec. 7Presidential and Presidential staff assassination, kidnapping, and assaultNo change