Bill > HR1238

This bill authorizes the President of the United States to issue letters of marque and reprisal (a historical legal mechanism allowing private entities to engage in quasi-military actions) against cartel members and organizations that have committed acts of aggression against the United States. Under this legislation, the President can commission privately armed individuals or entities to seize persons and property of cartel members outside U.S. territorial boundaries, subject to specific conditions. The bill defines cartels as organizations either designated in a specific executive order dated January 20, 2025, or classified as "transnational criminal organizations" under existing law. Before issuing such letters, the President must require a security bond to ensure proper execution, and the authorization is grounded in Congress's constitutional power to address acts of aggression. The legislation frames cartels as an extraordinary threat to national security and foreign policy, providing a legal mechanism for targeted action against these organizations outside traditional military or law enforcement frameworks. The bill emphasizes the goal of punishing, deterring, and preventing cartel-related aggression against the United States.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1238/all-info