Bill · S. 2386· Senate(119-S-2386)
Preventing Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America’s Streets Act
- Introduced
- 7/22/2025
- Last activity
- 7/22/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Merkley
- Cosponsors
- - 9 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Preventing Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America's Streets Act," seeks to limit how Federal law enforcement officers and members of the armed forces handle crowd control. It requires these individuals to display clearly visible identification, including their agency and name or unique identifier, while engaged in activities like riot control or arresting protesters. The act prohibits obscuring this identification and bans the use of unmarked vehicles for apprehending civilians. Additionally, it restricts these personnel to performing crowd control primarily on or near Federal property, unless requested by state and local leaders or during an invocation of the Insurrection Act. Finally, it mandates that agencies publish specific details regarding their deployment and the status of detained civilians following a public disturbance.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+8
The bill mandates public disclosure of personnel numbers, mission descriptions, and the status of detained civilians.
Does this change how police departments operate?+7
The bill increases accountability through required identification and limits the scope of federal law enforcement authority during civil disturbances.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+6
The bill empowers state and local leaders by requiring their written consent for federal assistance outside federal property.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-6
The bill restricts federal authority by limiting law enforcement actions primarily to federal property without state consent.
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?-5
The bill limits the ability of federal forces to engage in large-scale, potentially unmonitored deployments for crowd control.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Transparency through Identification: Under Section 2(b)(1), personnel must display their Federal agency and name or unique identifier in a clearly visible fashion, which provides accountability during crowd control or arrests.
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Prevention of Obscured Identities: Section 2(b)(2)(A) prohibits officers from taping over or concealing their required identification, ensuring that their identity remains known during law enforcement activities.
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Enhanced Visibility of Law Enforcement Actions: Section 2(b)(2)(B) prohibits the use of unmarked vehicles for the apprehension or detention of civilians, which may provide more clarity during law enforcement actions.
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Public Information Requirements: Section 2(e) requires agencies to publish public notices within 24 hours of a deployment. This notice includes the number of personnel in a locality, the nature of the mission, and the location and custody status of any detained civilians.
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Geographic Limitations on Federal Authority: Section 2(c)(1) restricts the authority of Federal personnel to perform crowd control or arrests to Federal property or the immediate vicinity, such as adjacent sidewalks or streets.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Arrest Legality Risks: Under Section 2(d), an arrest is considered unlawful if the officer or member of the armed forces is in violation of the identification or geographic requirements set forth in the bill.
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Limitations on Federal Assistance: Section 2(c)(1) limits the ability of Federal law enforcement to act outside of Federal property unless a specific written request is made by both a Governor and a local government head, as noted in Section 2(c)(2)(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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+8Increase States Rights+6Improves Freedom Of Speech+5Improves Due Process+4Increases Federal Power-6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+7Improves Freedom Of Speech+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Domestic Surveillance-5
- 10/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/24/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 7/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 6 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.
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts