Bill · S. 3567· Senate(119-S-3567)
Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 12/18/2025
- Last activity
- 12/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Lee
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025 allows the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal. This authority lets the President commission privately armed and equipped people or entities to seize individuals and property outside the U.S. and its territories. These actions target members of cartels, cartel-linked organizations, or associated conspirators responsible for acts of aggression against the U.S. The bill requires the posting of a security bond before any letter is issued. It defines cartels based on a January 20, 2025, Executive order or as transnational criminal organizations under Public Law 118-50.
Yes
Does this put more money into stopping terrorism?+7
Authorizes aggressive actions to deter and punish cartel conspirators defined as threats to national security.
Does this give the federal government more power?+6
Grants the President broad authority to commission private entities for foreign operations.
Does this tighten control of the border?+5
The bill targets transnational criminal organizations and cartels which often facilitate illegal border crossings.
The opposite
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-6
Authorizes private entities to seize individuals and property outside US territories, potentially bypassing formal judicial due process.
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?-5
Letters of marque and reprisal are an aggressive tool that may bypass standard diplomatic channels.
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?-4
The use of private armed entities to seize people and property in other countries may strain diplomatic relations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- National Security Protection: The bill aims to punish, deter, and prevent acts of aggression and war committed by cartel conspirators, which Congress finds are an extraordinary threat to national security (SEC. 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Use of Private Armed Entities: The bill authorizes the President to commission "privately armed and equipped persons and entities" to use "all means reasonably necessary" to seize people and property outside the U.S. (SEC. 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
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Counter Terrorism Funding+7Improves Diplomatic Engagement-5Improves International Alliances-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+6Improves Due Process-6
- 12/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 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.