Wagner, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral DETERRENCE Act

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today introduced legislation to protect U.S. citizens from violence directed by foreign powers. She was joined by her colleagues Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL), and Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-FL).

Rep. Ann Wagner: "In the wake of Iran's attempted assassination of President Trump, it is critical we prevent future attacks on our nation and deter foreign influence operations within our borders. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will increase the sentences of any criminal who commits violent crimes at the direction of a foreign government. We are the most powerful nation in the world and it's time we acted like it. Americans must be protected from the increasingly brazen and destabilizing attacks by foreign nations, and we will not stop until they are brought to justice."

Rep. Jared Moskowitz: "As a member of the bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempts against Donald Trump, I am deeply disturbed by the Iranian regime actively targeting the President-elect as well as other American nationals. We need to send a message that any person who works with a foreign government, especially a state sponsor of terrorism like Iran, will face severe consequences for harming Americans. I'm proud to be co-leading this bipartisan, bicameral bill to deter these kinds of threats."

Rep. Nathaniel Moran: "Recent assassination attempts and threats against President Trump and other U.S. citizens by Iran underscore the urgent need for strong and practical deterrence against all foreign regimes who seek to harm Americans on our soil. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is a testament to America's unwavering commitment to protecting its people and leaders. The DETERRENCE Act delivers a clear and resolute message: any attempt to harm Americans will be met with swift and decisive punishment."

Rep. Brad Schneider: "Iran's demonstrated willingness to target Americans, including elected officials, with murder-for-hire plots is deeply alarming. Congress must take decisive action to protect our citizens and hold foreign adversaries accountable. That's why I helped introduce the bipartisan DETERRENCE Act, which will increase penalties for these heinous crimes. This legislation sends a clear message to Iran and any nation or individual conspiring against Americans: they will be held to account for such acts of violence."

The bipartisan, bicameral DETERRENCE Act would increase criminal sentences for those who commit certain crimes at the direction of, or in coordination with, a foreign government. Read the one-pager here for the full list of crimes.

The DETERRENCE Act is the House companion to legislation in the Senate introduced by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH).