A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The DETERRENCE Act authorizes sentencing enhancements for specific criminal offenses that are directed by or coordinated with a foreign government or its agents. It proposes increased prison time for crimes involving kidnapping, murder-for-hire, and influencing federal officials through threats to family members. The bill also applies these enhancements to stalking and offenses against United States officers and employees. Furthermore, it targets assassination, kidnapping, and assault involving the President and Presidential staff. These enhancements are triggered when the crimes are knowingly committed in coordination with foreign entities.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal criminal jurisdiction through sentencing enhancements.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The bill increases criminal penalties rather than reforming them toward leniency.
- Scored -2
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Increased mandatory-style enhancements may limit judicial discretion in sentencing.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Kidnapping protections: Sentence increases of up to 10 years for completed acts, 10 years for conspiracies, and 5 years for attempts could serve as a deterrent for crimes involving foreign coordination (Section 2).
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Murder-for-hire deterrents: Enhancements of up to 5 years, or up to 10 years if personal injury results, are provided for offenses involving foreign direction (Section 3).
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Protection of federal officials: Increased sentences of up to 10 years for assaults involving bodily injury, dangerous weapons, or murder/attempted murder provide extra weight when such crimes are tied to foreign governments (Section 4).
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Stalking penalties: The bill allows for increased sentences of up to 30 months in some cases, 5 years for serious bodily injury or use of a weapon, and 10 years if death results (Section 5).
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Security for government employees: Sentencing can be increased by up to 10 years for offenses against officers and employees of the United States when coordinated with foreign governments (Section 6).
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Presidential and staff security: Enhanced sentences of up to 10 years are authorized for crimes such as assassination, kidnapping, and assault targeting the President and Presidential staff when foreign coordination is involved (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased prison time for kidnapping: Individuals convicted of kidnapping, conspiracy, or attempt may face significantly longer sentences depending on their knowledge of foreign coordination (Section 2).
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Expanded penalties for murder-for-hire: Those involved in crimes involving interstate commerce facilities may face up to 10 years of additional prison time (Section 3).
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Heavier penalties for crimes against officials: Individuals committing crimes against the families of federal officials may face up to 10 years of additional time for assaults involving injury or dangerous weapons (Section 4).
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Increased sentences for stalking offenses: Those convicted of stalking may face sentence increases ranging from 30 months up to 10 years (Section 5).
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Enhanced sentences for targeting officers: Crimes against United States officers and employees may result in up to 10 years of additional prison time (Section 6).
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Expanded liability for Presidential-related crimes: Individuals convicted of crimes involving the President or Presidential staff may face up to 10 years of additional sentencing (Section 7).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal criminal jurisdiction through sentencing enhancements. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Increased mandatory-style enhancements may limit judicial discretion in sentencing.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill increases criminal penalties rather than reforming them toward leniency.
- 12/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/30/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Nathaniel MoranRepublican · Texas
Bradley SchneiderDemocrat · Illinois
Elise StefanikRepublican · New York
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia