H.R. 5054

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend section 1951 of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the Hobbs Act), and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · August 26, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Perry · Committee: Committee on the Judiciary

Table of contents

• H.R. 5054
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Interference with commerce by threats or violence

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Interference with commerce by threats or violence

• Section 1951 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
  • (a) Prohibition
    • Except as provided in subsection (c), whoever in any way or degree obstructs, delays, or affects commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce, by robbery or extortion, or attempts or conspires so to do, or commits or threatens physical violence to any person or property in furtherance of a plan or purpose to do anything in violation of this section, shall be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for a term of not more than 20 years, or both.
  • (b) Definitions
    • For purposes of this section—
      • the term commerce means any—
      • the term extortion means the obtaining of property from any person, with the consent of that person, if that consent is induced—
      • the term has the same meaning as in section 2(9) of the National Labor Relations Act (); and labor dispute 29 U.S.C. 152(9)
      • the term robbery means the unlawful taking or obtaining of personal property from the person or in the presence of another, against his or her will, by means of actual or threatened force or violence, or fear of injury, immediate or future—
  • (c) Exempted conduct
    • (1) In general
      • Subsection (a) does not apply to any conduct that—
        • is incidental to otherwise peaceful picketing during the course of a labor dispute;
        • consists solely of minor bodily injury, or minor damage to property, or threat or fear of such minor injury or damage; and
        • is not part of a pattern of violent conduct or of coordinated violent activity.
    • (2) State and local jurisdiction
      • Any violation of this section that involves any conduct described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to prosecution only by the appropriate State and local authorities.
  • (d) Effect on other law
    • Nothing in this section shall be construed—
      • to repeal, amend, or otherwise affect—
        • section 6 of the (); 15 U.S.C. 17
        • section 20 of the (); 29 U.S.C. 52
        • any provision of the Norris-LaGuardia Act (); 29 U.S.C. 101 et seq.
        • any provision of the National Labor Relations Act (); or 29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.
        • any provision of the Railway Labor Act (); or 45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.
      • to preclude Federal jurisdiction over any violation of this section, on the basis that the conduct at issue—
        • is also a violation of State or local law; or
        • occurred during the course of a labor dispute or in pursuit of a legitimate business or labor objective.