Bill · H.R. 1238· House(119-HR-1238)
Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/12/2025
- Last activity
- 2/12/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Tim Burchett
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025," seeks to grant the President specific authority regarding cartels. It allows the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal to private individuals and entities. This authority is intended to target members of cartels, linked organizations, or conspirators who commit acts of aggression against the United States. These private entities would be authorized to seize the person and property of such individuals outside of U.S. borders. The bill defines a cartel based on specific executive orders and existing public law.
Yes
Does this tighten control of the border?+5
The bill targets cartel members and their property outside U.S. borders to address threats to national security.
The opposite
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-4
The bill authorizes the seizure of persons and property via private entities based on presidential determination.
Would immigrants be better off under this?-3
The authorization of private entities to seize persons and property could impact individuals associated with transnational organizations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Targeting Aggressors: The bill allows for the seizure of persons and property belonging to those responsible for acts of aggression against the United States (Section 3(a)). This could serve to punish or deter cartel-related threats.
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National Security Defense: Congress finds that cartels represent an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States (Section 2). This measure aims to address those threats using private entities (Section 2).
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Financial Accountability: The President must require a security bond to ensure that letters of marque are executed according to the specified terms and conditions (Section 3(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Seizure of Persons and Property: The bill authorizes the seizure of the person and property of individuals outside the geographic boundaries of the United States and its territories (Section 3(a)). This applies to anyone the President determines is a member of a cartel, a linked organization, or a conspirator.
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Use of Private Entities: The President is authorized to commission "privately armed and equipped persons and entities" to carry out these actions (Section 3(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process-4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants-3
- 2/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/12/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Josh BrecheenRepublican · Oklahoma
Mark MessmerRepublican · Indiana