119-S-1136 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary — S. 1136 (DETERRENCE Act)

Headline Summary: A bipartisan bill to toughen sentences for violent crimes in the U.S. when someone commits them for, or in coordination with, a foreign government; it has passed the Senate and is now in the House. [2]Library of Congress — All Actions — S.1136 (DETERRENCE Act), 119th Congress | C…

What It Does: The bill does not create new crimes; instead, it allows judges to add time to sentences for existing federal offenses—like kidnapping, murder‑for‑hire, stalking, and assaults or threats against federal officials and the President—if the offender knowingly acted at the direction of, or in coordination with, a foreign government or its agent. Depending on the offense and harm caused, the court may add up to 5 or 10 extra years (and up to 30 months for certain stalking cases), and some provisions also cover attempts and conspiracies. [1]Library of Congress — Text — S.1136 (DETERRENCE Act), 119th Congress | Congress…

• Sponsor and backers: Led by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D‑NH) with original cosponsors Sens. Joni Ernst (R‑IA), Jim Banks (R‑IN), and Elissa Slotkin (D‑MI). They argue it deters foreign adversaries from hiring criminals to harm Americans and protects officials and communities. [3]Library of Congress — Cosponsors — S.1136 (DETERRENCE Act), 119th Congress | Co…[4]Office of Sen. Maggie Hassan — Press release: Senators Hassan, Ernst, Banks, an…[5]Office of Sen. Joni Ernst — Press release: Ernst bill protecting Americans from…
• Senate support: Passed the Senate by unanimous consent on June 10, 2025, indicating no recorded opposition in that chamber. [2]Library of Congress — All Actions — S.1136 (DETERRENCE Act), 119th Congress | C…

• No organized opposition was recorded during Senate passage; however, criminal‑justice reform groups generally caution against expanding sentence enhancements, arguing longer sentences are weak deterrents and can contribute to mass incarceration. [2]Library of Congress — All Actions — S.1136 (DETERRENCE Act), 119th Congress | C…[6]The Sentencing Project — New report: Roadmap to cap all prison sentences at 20…

What’s Next: As of November 3, 2025, the bill has been received in the House and is being held at the desk. House leaders could refer it to committee or bring it up for consideration; it would need House passage before going to the President. [7]Library of Congress — All Information (Except Text) — S.1136 (DETERRENCE Act),…[2]Library of Congress — All Actions — S.1136 (DETERRENCE Act), 119th Congress | C…