Ernst Bill Protecting Americans from Foreign-Directed Crimes Passes Senate

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate advanced Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Maggie Hassan’s (D-N.H.) Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors Act (DETERRENCE) Act, which increases criminal penalties for individuals who commit, or attempt to commit, violent crimes in the United States on behalf of foreign governments.

The bill’s passage comes after two Eastern European organized crime leaders were convicted in March 2025 of targeting an American journalist in a murder-for-hire scheme on behalf of the Iranian government. Additionally, a recent report detailed how the Iranian government ordered an operative to assassinate President Donald Trump before the 2024 election.

“America will not allow foreign adversaries, like Iran, to finance violent crimes on our soil,” said Senator Ernst. “Peace through strength is back and that includes right here at home. I look forward to the House swiftly passing this commonsense bill to create severe consequences for those who wish to harm our citizens.”

“It is a direct assault on our national security when foreign adversaries recruit criminals to commit violence on American soil,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation will strengthen criminal penalties on gangs and criminals who engage in violent behavior on behalf of a foreign government. The Senate has sent a clear message that such behavior will be met with severe consequences, and I urge my colleagues in the House to quickly pass this bill to strengthen our national security.” 

The DETERRENCE Act now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.

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