Bill · H.R. 8026· House(119-HR-8026)
CLEAR Act
- Introduced
- 3/19/2026
- Last activity
- 3/19/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- W. Steube
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Criminalizing Law Enforcement Access Restriction Act or the CLEAR Act. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 19, 2026. The legislation amends section 111 of title 18, United States Code. It creates new offenses related to the obstruction of certain law enforcement vehicles. Specifically, it targets individuals who use a vehicle to interfere with specific law enforcement officers. It also addresses those who interfere with an officer while in a Federal law enforcement vehicle.
Yes
Does this change how police departments operate?+5
The bill enhances penalties for assaulting or interfering with federal law enforcement officers, increasing protections for law enforcement personnel.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill expands federal criminal penalties regarding federal law enforcement officers.
The opposite
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?-5
The legislation introduces severe new criminal penalties and long prison sentences of up to 20 years for offenses involving interference with law enforcement vehicles.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2 creates an enhanced penalty under subsection (c) for anyone who uses a vehicle to forcibly assault, resist, intimidate, or interfere with a Federal law enforcement officer of the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Justice while they are performing their official duties. This could be viewed as positive because it aims to protect these specific officers from vehicle-based attacks and interference by allowing for fines or imprisonment of up to 20 years.
-
Section 2 creates an enhanced penalty under subsection (d) for anyone who forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates, or interferes with a Federal law enforcement officer of the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Justice while the officer is in a Federal law enforcement vehicle performing official duties. This might be seen as positive for the safety of officers because it carries a penalty of fines or imprisonment of up to 20 years.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2 establishes new criminal offenses under subsection (c) and subsection (d) that carry severe punishments of fines or imprisonment of up to 20 years. This could be considered a negative burden for individuals, as it introduces very long prison sentences for actions involving interference with certain federal law enforcement officers or their vehicles.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+5Improves Criminal Sentencing Reform-5
- 3/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/19/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Lauren BoebertRepublican · Colorado
Tim BurchettRepublican · Tennessee
Mike CollinsRepublican · Georgia
Scott DesJarlaisRepublican · Tennessee
Randy FineRepublican · Florida
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina