Tim Burchett (R-TN)
Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
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 Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act authorizes the President to commission private entities to conduct cyber operations against designated threats. These operations include tasks like data recovery, asset seizure, and disrupting malicious infrastructure. The bill aims to combat the rising financial losses Americans face from crypto-enabled scams, fraud, and ransomware. It provides a framework for private entities to disrupt illicit networks and repatriate stolen assets. Additionally, the act establishes a system for bounties and the use of recovered funds.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +7
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill provides a proactive mechanism to disrupt and degrade malicious cyber infrastructure and networks.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill specifically addresses the disproportionate harm seniors face from crypto-enabled scams.
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill grants the President significant authority to commission private entities for offensive cyber operations.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill authorizes private entities to conduct intelligence collection and cyber exploration, which could impact privacy.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Recovery of Stolen Assets: The bill aims to facilitate the return of stolen funds to American victims of cyber-enabled crime (Section 3).
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Protection of Vulnerable Populations: The act seeks to address issues where seniors and other vulnerable populations are disproportionly harmed by digital asset schemes (Section 2).
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Disruption of Criminal Networks: The bill allows for the disruption of cyberthreats, including the command and control structures used by criminal organizations and state-aligned actors (Section 3).
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Victim Compensation: The President is authorized to use recovered funds to establish bounties for those holding letters of marque and reprisal (Section 5).
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Support for Crime Victims: Any funds recovered through these operations that are not used for bounties are to be deposited into the Crime Victims Fund (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of Improper Operation: Recipient entities must post a security bond to ensure they follow the terms of their letter, as they may forfeit this bond if they violate the rules (Section 5).
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Mandatory Asset Forfeiture to the Government: The President can require up to 15 percent of all assets recovered by a letter holder to be forfeited to the United States to fund future operations (Section 5).
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Legal Immunity for Private Actors: Holders of a cyber letter of marque and reprisal are protected from legal action in court for any acts expressly authorized by their letter (Section 8).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill specifically addresses the disproportionate harm seniors face from crypto-enabled scams. Would high-income households be better off under this? — The bill helps recover digital assets that could be held by high-income individuals. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill aims to protect victims from losing life savings to digital fraud. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill provides a mechanism to recover assets for vulnerable populations targeted by cybercrime.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill provides a proactive mechanism to disrupt and degrade malicious cyber infrastructure and networks. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — By targeting cyber-enabled theft, the bill seeks to stabilize the digital economy used for global commerce.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill creates a market for private entities to conduct cyber operations and benefit from bounties. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill aims to secure the digital asset environment, which supports continued digital asset innovation.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill authorizes a new form of private-sector policing in cyberspace. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill facilitates the recovery of stolen assets for victims of digital asset schemes. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill targets systemic financial threats that can disproportionately impact diverse populations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill grants the President significant authority to commission private entities for offensive cyber operations. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill authorizes private entities to conduct intelligence collection and cyber exploration, which could impact privacy.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill protects the integrity of digital asset systems that facilitate online economic activity.
- 7/15/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 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.