Bill · S. 150· Senate(119-S-150)
Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/17/2025
- Last activity
- 1/17/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Kelly
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025," directs the Secretaries of Homeland Security and State, along with the Attorney General, to fight how criminal organizations use the internet to recruit people. It requires officials to first assess how these groups use social media, messaging services, and digital platforms for illegal activities like drug and human trafficking. Following this assessment, the officials must create a national strategy to combat this recruitment. This strategy must include improved cooperation between government agencies and international partners. The plan must also focus on outreach to youth in border communities. Finally, the bill mandates regular reporting on the progress of these efforts.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would children be better off under this?+6
The bill specifically focuses on protecting minors from exploitation and criminal recruitment on digital platforms.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+5
The bill mandates outreach and engagement with youth in border communities regarding criminal recruitment tactics.
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+5
The bill includes a mandate to ensure the protection of privacy rights for individuals, particularly minors, during law enforcement activities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Youth: The bill requires the national strategy to include specific engagement and outreach for youth in border communities to inform them about recruitment tactics and the consequences of joining illegal activities (Section 4(b)(1)(G)).
-
Focus on Criminal Entities: The law requires that law enforcement and intelligence activities focus on the recruitment efforts of the criminal organizations themselves, rather than targeting the individuals being recruited (Section 4(b)(1)(H)(i)).
-
Safeguarding Rights: The strategy must include specific measures to protect the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of individuals, with a particular emphasis on protecting minors and those engaging in constitutionally protected activities (Section 4(b)(1)(H)(ii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No New Funding: The bill explicitly states that no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of the Act (Section 6).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+6Good For Young Adults+5Good For Hispanic Americans+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+5Improves Government Transparency+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+4Improves International Alliances+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+5Improves Policing Reform+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+5
- 1/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina