Sponsors (3)
The bill strengthens penalties and DOJ enforcement to better protect court operations from obstruction, but at the cost of substantially harsher punishments that risk chilling lawful protest and increasing incarceration-related expenses.
Federal court staff, protected officials, jurors, and law-enforcement: likely face fewer disruptions from picketing and parading that obstruct judicial proceedings, improving courtroom safety and continuity.
Department of Justice and taxpayers: DOJ gains stronger sentencing leverage that may deter conduct interfering with court operations, potentially reducing repeat disruptions.
People who protest near courthouses (and defendants charged under these provisions): face much longer prison exposure — penalties can rise to up to 5 years instead of 1 year for comparable conduct — increasing the severity of criminal punishment.
Protesters, journalists, and disability advocates: lawful, peaceful protest and free-speech activity near judicial proceedings may be chilled as people avoid expressive activity for fear of much harsher penalties.
Taxpayers and public budgets: longer maximum sentences increase the risk of higher incarceration costs if more defendants receive lengthier sentences.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Increases the maximum prison term under 18 U.S.C. 1507 for obstruction by picketing or parading from 1 year to 5 years.
Increases the federal criminal penalty for obstruction by picketing or parading under 18 U.S.C. 1507: the maximum prison term is raised from one year to five years. The change only adjusts the maximum sentence; it does not create new crimes, add funding, or set new deadlines.
Introduced April 8, 2025 by David Kustoff · Last progress April 8, 2025