Sponsors (6)
The bill broadens DOJ authority to pay rewards to encourage public cooperation and better protect federal personnel (including by disrupting foreign threats), trading improved threat disruption and tips for added cost to taxpayers, greater risk of false tips, and potential legal/diplomatic complications abroad.
Federal law enforcement officers and other federal employees are more likely to be protected because expanding DOJ reward authority encourages tip submissions that can prevent attacks and help disrupt threats, including those originating abroad.
Individuals (including taxpayers and members of the public) who provide information that leads to arrests or convictions may receive monetary rewards, creating a direct incentive for public cooperation with investigations.
Taxpayers could bear additional federal costs if the DOJ pays monetary rewards without dedicated or offsetting appropriations.
Offering monetary rewards may incentivize false or fabricated tips from people seeking payment, increasing investigative workload and raising risks of wrongful investigations or harms.
Extending reward authority to actions occurring or prosecuted abroad may create legal and diplomatic complexities that complicate cooperation with foreign authorities and could expose U.S. personnel to additional risks.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes the Attorney General to pay rewards for information about offers of bounties or payments to harm or kill federal law enforcement officers.
Official title: Amend title 18, United States Code, to authorize awards for the arrest or conviction of individuals that deliberately target law enforcement officials with acts of violence or intimidation, and for other purposes.
Introduced December 11, 2025 by Richard Lynn Scott · Last progress December 11, 2025
Authorizes the Attorney General to offer financial rewards for information about offers of bounties or other payments to harm or kill federal law enforcement officers, including information that leads to arrest/conviction, conspiracy/attempt charges, or prevention of such acts. Also updates a chapter heading and a clerical table entry in Title 18 of the U.S. Code.