Sponsor
Mike Lee
Senator · R-UT
Senator · R-UT
The bill expands aggressive tools and federal focus to disrupt cartels (including private commissions, letters of marque, and asset seizures) in hopes of degrading transnational crime, but does so at the cost of significant civil‑liberties, legal, diplomatic, oversight, and fiscal risks.
Law enforcement and federal agencies gain new tools (letters of marque/private commissions and authority to seize cartel assets overseas) to disrupt cartel leadership and operations, potentially degrading transnational criminal capabilities.
Border communities, local governments, and law enforcement may receive increased federal attention and resources by classifying cartels as an extraordinary national security threat.
Taxpayers gain some financial accountability because a security bond is required before issuing letters/commissions, which can deter frivolous or reckless commissions and provide a funding mechanism for damages or costs.
Immigrants, border communities, and individuals targeted by enforcement face serious civil liberties and due process risks because classifying cartels as a national security threat and authorizing private armed actors increases the chance of extra-judicial detentions, wrongful seizures, and militarized responses.
Federal employees, law enforcement, and the public face accountability gaps and inconsistent oversight because delegating use-of-force and enforcement authority to private entities can create unclear chains of responsibility and opportunities for abuse.
Taxpayers and U.S. foreign relations are at risk because privately armed commissions operating abroad could violate international law or provoke diplomatic incidents and retaliation, raising military, diplomatic, and economic costs.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes the President to commission privately armed actors under letters of marque to seize cartel members and property abroad, subject to a presidentially set security bond.
Official title: Authorize the President of the United States to issue letters of marque and reprisal with respect to acts of aggression against the United States by a member of a cartel, or a member of a cartel-linked organization, or any conspirator associated with a cartel, and for other purposes.
Introduced December 18, 2025 by Mike Lee · Last progress December 18, 2025
Authorizes the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal commissioning privately armed persons or entities to seize the persons and property of foreign cartel members or cartel-linked conspirators outside U.S. territory, subject to a security bond set by the President, and defines “cartel” by reference to an existing executive order and the statutory definition of transnational criminal organization. It frames cartels as an extraordinary national security threat and cites Article I, Section 8 as constitutional authority for the action. The measure does not appropriate funds or create detailed operational rules; it sets a legal authorization and high-level conditions (bond requirement and definition of target organizations) for use of private maritime or other armed actors to act against identified cartel actors abroad.