Chuck Grassley
Senator for Iowa · Republican · United States
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4173-S4174] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] Socialism Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr.”
“I am glad some Democrats share this concern, as Democrat pollster Mark Penn wrote in the Wall Street Journal. Democrats could take a playbook out of the 1947 effort by Eleanor Roosevelt and Hubert Humphrey, as recently reported in the Washington Post. Socialism is a failed ideology and experiment.”
“For 36 days, the Department of Homeland Security was shuttered due to their refusal to fund Federal law enforcement and border security. Ultimately, the majority had to take matters into their own hands.”
“For 36 days, the Department of Homeland Security was shuttered due to their refusal to fund Federal law enforcement and border security. Ultimately, the majority had to take matters into their own hands.”
“One analysis about Venezuela's experience with socialism put it this way: So, what are the results of socialism in Venezuela? Well, we have experienced hyperinflation. We have people eating garbage, schools that do not teach, hospitals that do not heal, long and humiliating lines to buy flour, bread, and basic medicines.”
“According to a White House Council of Economic Advisers report, if the United States had moved toward Nordic country-style policies in the 1970s, by 2018, America's GDP would be at least 19 percent smaller, coming out to about 11,000 fewer dollars of wealth per person here in the United States.”
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“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3796-S3797] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6604. Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Mr. Coons) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following: SEC. 1094. ANTI-RETALIATION PROTECTION FOR AI WHISTLEBLOWERS.”
“``(d) Preventing Duplicative Grants.-- ``(1) In general.--Before the Attorney General awards a grant to an eligible entity under this part, the Attorney General shall compare potential grant awards with other grants awarded by the Attorney General to determine if grant awards are or have been awarded for a similar purpose. ``(2) Report.--If the Attorney General awards grants to the same applicant for a similar purpose, the Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report that includes-- ``(A) a list of all such grants awarded, including the total dollar amount of any such grants awarded; and ``(B) the reason the Attorney General awarded multiple grants to the same applicant for a similar purpose.''. ______”
“``(c) Annual Certification.--Beginning in the fiscal year during which audits commence under subsection (b)(2), the Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives an annual certification-- ``(1) indicating whether-- ``(A) all audits issued by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice under subsection (b) have been completed and reviewed by the appropriate Assistant Attorney General or Director; and ``(B) all mandatory exclusions required under subsection (b)(3) have been issued; and ``(2) that includes a list of any grant recipients excluded under subsection (b)(3) from the previous year.”
“The Inspector General of the Department of Justice shall determine the appropriate number of grantees to be audited each year. ``(3) Mandatory exclusion.--A recipient of grant funds under this part that is found to have an unresolved audit finding shall not be eligible to receive grant funds under this part during the first 2 fiscal years beginning after the end of the 12-month period described in paragraph (1). ``(4) Priority.--In awarding grants under this part, the Attorney General shall give priority to eligible entities that did not have an unresolved audit finding during the 3 fiscal years before submitting an application for a grant under this part.”
“``(b) Audit Requirement.-- ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `unresolved audit finding' means a finding in a final audit report of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice that an audited grantee has used grant funds for an unauthorized expenditure or otherwise unallowable cost that is not closed or resolved within 12 months from the date when the final audit report is issued. ``(2) Audits.--Beginning in the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of the Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the Inspector General of the Department of Justice shall conduct audits of recipients of grants under this part to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of funds by grantees.”
“``(2) Hiring determinations.--Before making any hiring determination, the highest ranking law enforcement officer of an eligible entity receiving a grant under subsection (a) or a designee of that law enforcement officer shall review any findings of misconduct that arise as a result of a search or request conducted pursuant to paragraph (1). ``SEC. 3063. ACCOUNTABILITY PROVISIONS. ``(a) In General.--A grant awarded under this part shall be subject to the accountability requirements of this section.”
“``(b) Disciplinary Records.-- ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall make a good faith effort to determine whether a retired law enforcement officer seeking to be [[Page S3781]] hired by the eligible entity using amounts from a grant under this part has a disciplinary record or an internal investigation record by-- ``(A) conducting a search of the National Decertification Index; or ``(B) requesting the personnel record of the retired law enforcement officer from each law enforcement agency that employed the retired law enforcement officer.”
“``(a) In General.--The Attorney General may award grants to eligible entities for the purpose of hiring retired personnel from law enforcement agencies to-- ``(1) train civilian employees of the eligible entity on civilian law enforcement tasks that can be performed on behalf of a law enforcement agency; and ``(2) perform civilian law enforcement tasks on behalf of the eligible entity.”
“``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a State, local, Tribal, or territorial law enforcement agency that certifies that retired law enforcement personnel hired using amounts from a grant under this part-- ``(A) have appropriate and reasonably current training and experience to effectively carry out the tasks described in section 3062(a); or ``(B) will participate in appropriate continuing education programs to satisfy subparagraph (A). ``SEC. 3062. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.”
“``In this part: ``(1) Civilian law enforcement task.--The term `civilian law enforcement task'-- ``(A) includes-- ``(i) assisting in homicide investigations; ``(ii) assisting in carjacking investigations; ``(iii) assisting in financial crimes investigations; ``(iv) assisting in compliance with reporting requirements; ``(v) reviewing camera footage; ``(vi) crime scene analysis; ``(vii) forensics analysis; and ``(viii) providing expertise in computers, computer networks, information technology, or the internet; and ``(B) does not include the ability to make arrests or use force under the color of law.”
“(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act''. (b) Grant Program.--Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``PART XVI--CIVIL LAW ENFORCEMENT TASK GRANTS ``SEC. 3061. DEFINITIONS.”
“(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2026''. (b) Preventing First Responder Secondary Exposure to Fentanyl.--Section 3021(a) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 ( 34 U.S.C. 10701(a)) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (10) as paragraphs (5) through (11), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: ``(4) Providing training and resources for first responders on the use of containment devices to prevent secondary exposure to fentanyl and other potentially lethal substances, and purchasing such containment devices for use by first responders.''. SEC. ___. RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CONTINUING SERVICE ACT.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3780-S3781] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6581. Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Mr. Durbin) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the following: SEC. ___. PROTECTING FIRST RESPONDERS FROM SECONDARY EXPOSURE ACT OF 2026.”
“``(B) Supreme court.--The Marshal of the Supreme Court shall prescribe regulations and issue guidance, in coordination with the Secretary, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Transportation, that are consistent with regulations prescribed and guidance issued by the Secretary, Attorney General, or Secretary of Transportation under subparagraph (A).''; (B) in paragraph (3)-- (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and the Attorney General'' and inserting ``, the Attorney General, and the Marshal of the Supreme Court''; and (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and the Attorney General'' and inserting ``, the Attorney General, and the Marshal of the Supreme Court''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Marshal of the supreme court training and certification.--The Marshal of the Supreme Court and any personnel of the Marshal of the Supreme Court shall be subject to the same training and certification requirements relating to the detection, identification, monitoring, and tracking of unmanned aircraft as personnel of the Department of Homeland Security.''; (4) in subsection (e)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``each Secretary, the Attorney General'' and inserting ``the Secretary, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Transportation, the Marshal of the Supreme Court''; (B) in paragraph (3)-- (i) by inserting ``the Marshal of the Supreme Court,'' after ``the Attorney General,''; and (ii) by striking ``determine'' and inserting ``determines''; (C) in paragraph (4)-- (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)-- (I) by inserting a comma after ``Security''; and (II) by inserting ``the Supreme Court Police,'' after ``Justice,''; and (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and the Department of Justice'' and inserting ``, the Department of Justice, or the Supreme Court Police''; and (D) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and the Department of Justice'' and inserting ``, the Department of Justice, and the Supreme Court Police''; (5) in subsection (g)-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and the Attorney General'' and inserting ``, the Attorney General, and the Marshal of the Supreme Court''; (B) in paragraph (3)-- (i) by inserting ``the Marshall of the Supreme Court,'' after ``the Attorney General,'' each place the term appears; and (ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``or the Department of Homeland Security'' and inserting ``, the Department of Homeland Security, or the Supreme Court Police''; and (C) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and the Attorney General'' and inserting ``, the Attorney General, and the Marshal of the Supreme Court''; (6) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``or the Attorney General'' and inserting ``, the Attorney General, or the Marshal of the Supreme Court''; and (7) in subsection (j), by adding at the end the following: ``(3) Marshal of the united states supreme court.--The authority of the Marshal of the Supreme Court to carry out actions with respect to subsection (a)(3) shall terminate on September 30, 2031.''.”
“124n) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following: ``(3) Authority of the marshal of the united states supreme court.--Notwithstanding section 46502 of title 49, United States Code, or sections 32, 1030, 1367 and chapters 119 and 206 of title 18, United States Code, notwithstanding the laws of any particular State, local, Tribal, or territorial jurisdiction, and after completing the training required under subsection (d)(4), the Marshal of the Supreme Court may take and may authorize personnel with assigned duties that include the security or protection of the Chief Justice or any Associate Justice of the Supreme Court to take such actions as are described in subsection (b)(1)(A) that are necessary to detect, identify, monitor, or track a credible threat that an unmanned aircraft system or unmanned aircraft poses to the safety or security of the Chief Justice or any Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on the grounds of the Supreme Court, property leased for use by the Supreme Court, or at the residence of the Chief Justice or any Associate Justice.''; (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) in paragraph (2)-- (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting: ``(A) In general.--The Secretary''; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``(B) Marshal of the supreme court.--The Marshal of the Supreme Court shall develop for the Supreme Court Police the actions described in paragraph (1) in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation.''; (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and the Attorney General'' and inserting ``, the Attorney General, and the Marshal of the Supreme Court''; and (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and the Attorney General'' and inserting ``, the Attorney General, and the Marshal of the Supreme Court''; (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: ``(1) In general.-- ``(A) Agency guidance.--The Secretary, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Transportation may prescribe regulations and shall issue guidance in the respective areas of the Secretary, the Attorney General, or the Secretary of Transportation to carry out this section, including guidance relating to actions carried out by any State, local, Tribal, or territorial law enforcement or correctional agency under this section.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3780] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6580. Mr. GRASSLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place, insert the following: SEC. __. COUNTER-UAS AUTHORITY. Section 210G of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C.”
“(c) Additional Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration and in coordination with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall submit to Congress a report updating Congress [[Page S3780]] on the prevalence and proliferation of xylazine trafficking and misuse in the United States. ______”
“(b) Initial Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration and in coordination with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall submit to Congress a report on the prevalence of illicit use of xylazine in the United States and the impacts of such use, including-- (1) where the drug is being diverted; (2) where the drug is originating; and (3) whether any analogues to xylazine, or related or derivative substances, exist and present a substantial risk of abuse.”
“811(c)) for xylazine, which includes a scientific and medical evaluation and recommendations from the Secretary of Health and Human Services and a law enforcement and abuse evaluation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. (2) Requirements.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall-- (A) include the full text of the scientific and medical evaluation and recommendations regarding whether xylazine should be controlled as a controlled substance, submitted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the Attorney General pursuant to section 201(b) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 811(b)) on or before December 31, 2025; and (B) be published on the websites of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice.”
“960) to provide appropriate penalties for offenses involving xylazine that are consistent with the amendments made by this title. In carrying out this section, the Commission should consider the common forms of xylazine as well as its use alongside other scheduled substances. SEC. 407. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON XYLAZINE. (a) Control Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration and in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall submit to Congress a report with an assessment of the factors listed in section 201(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.”
“827(i)) is amended-- (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)-- (A) by inserting ``or xylazine'' after ``gamma hydroxybutyric acid''; (B) by inserting ``or 512'' after ``section 505''; and (C) by inserting ``respectively,'' after ``the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act,''; and (2) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``and xylazine'' after ``gamma hydroxybutyric acid''. SEC. 406. SENTENCING COMMISSION. Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and, if appropriate, amend its sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and official commentary applicable to persons convicted of an offense under section 401 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841) or section 1010 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C.”
“(e) Manufacturer Transition.--The Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration shall facilitate and expedite the relevant manufacturer submissions or applications required by the placement of xylazine on schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)). (f) Clarification.--Nothing in this section, or the amendments made by this section, shall be construed to require the registration of an ultimate user of xylazine under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) in order to possess xylazine in accordance with subparagraph (B) of section 102(27) of that Act (21 U.S.C. 802(27)), as added by subsection (a) of this section. SEC. 405. ARCOS TRACKING. Section 307(i) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.”
“812(c)) shall not take effect for xylazine until the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. (d) Practitioner Registration.--The requirements related to practitioner registration, inventory, and recordkeeping of a controlled substance in schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)) shall not take effect for xylazine until the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act. A practitioner that has applied for registration during the 60-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act may continue their lawful activities until such application is approved or denied.”
“``(ii) In this subparagraph, the term `person' includes-- ``(I) a government agency or business where animals are located; and ``(II) an employee or agent of an agency or business acting within the scope of their employment or agency.''. (b) Facilities.--An entity that manufactures xylazine, as of the date of enactment of this Act, shall not be required to make capital expenditures necessary to install the security standard required of schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) for the purposes of manufacturing xylazine. (c) Labeling.--The requirements related to labeling, packaging, and distribution logistics of a controlled substance in schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.”
“355), the term `ultimate user' means a person-- ``(I) to whom xylazine was dispensed by-- ``(aa) a veterinarian registered under this Act; or ``(bb) a pharmacy registered under this Act pursuant to a prescription of a veterinarian registered under this Act; and ``(II) who possesses xylazine for-- ``(aa) an animal owned by the person or by a member of the household of the person; ``(bb) an animal under the care of the person; ``(cc) use in government animal-control programs authorized under applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local law; or ``(dd) use in wildlife programs authorized under applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local law.”
“404. AMENDMENTS. (a) Amendment.--Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802) is amended by striking paragraph (27) and inserting the following: ``(27)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term `ultimate user' means a person who has lawfully obtained, and who possesses, a controlled substance for the use by the person or for the use of a member of the household of the person or for an animal owned by the person or by a member of the household of the person. ``(B)(i) In the case of xylazine, other than for a drug product approved under subsection (b) or (j) of section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C.”
“802); and (2) the term ``xylazine'' has the meaning given the term in paragraph (61) of section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, as added by subsection (b) of this section. (b) Controlled Substances Act.--Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(61) The term `xylazine' means the substance xylazine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible.''. SEC. 403. ADDING XYLAZINE TO SCHEDULE III. Schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(f) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of xylazine.''. SEC.”
“Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall-- (1) conduct a review of the policies of the Bureau of Prisons pertaining to inmates who make, possess, obtain, or attempt to make or obtain a prohibited object, as defined in section 1791(d)(1) of title 18, United States Code; and (2) update those policies as needed to improve protections for incarcerated individuals and staff. TITLE IV--COMBATING ILLICIT XYLAZINE SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Combating Illicit Xylazine Act''. SEC. 402. DEFINITIONS. (a) In General.--In this title-- (1) the term ``practitioner'' has the meaning given the term under section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.”
“301. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act''. SEC. 302. PROHIBITED PROVISION OF A PHONE. Section 1791(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: ``(4) in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(1), imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both, if the object is specified in subsection (d)(1)(F) of this section;''; and (3) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by inserting ``, in the case of a violation of subsection (a)(2),'' before ``(d)(1)(F)''. SEC. 303. REVIEW OF POLICIES.”
“``(3) Enhancing or modifying training and technical assistance.--Not later than 45 days after submitting the report required under paragraph (2), the Secretary and the Attorney General shall jointly issue formal guidance to relevant agencies and offices within the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice for modifying or expanding, as appropriate, the training and technical assistance designed to counter organized retail and supply chain crime.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-125; 130 Stat. 122) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the following: ``Sec. 305A. Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center.''. TITLE III--LIEUTENANT OSVALDO ALBARATI STOPPING PRISON CONTRABAND ACT SEC.”
“``(2) Report.--Not later than 45 days after the completion of the evaluation required under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Attorney General shall jointly submit a report to the congressional committees listed in subsection (b)(5)(A)(i) that-- ``(A) describes the results of such evaluation; and [[Page S3779]] ``(B) includes recommendations on ways to improve programs, training, and technical assistance for combating organized retail and supply chain crime.”
“``(c) Training and Technical Assistance.-- ``(1) Evaluation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2026, the Secretary and the Attorney General shall conduct an evaluation of existing Federal programs that provide training and technical support to State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement to assist in countering organized retail and supply chain crime and organized retail and supply chain crime groups.”
“``(D) Comptroller general report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2026, the Comptroller General shall publish a report on the activities of the Center, which shall include an assessment of the implementation of the duties of the Center described in paragraph (2). ``(6) Sunset.-- ``(A) In general.--The authority of the Center shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date on which the Center is established under paragraph (1). ``(B) Wind down.--The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to wind down the Center in accordance with subparagraph (A).”
“``(B) Annual report.--Beginning on the date that is 1 year after the submission of the report required under subparagraph (A), and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional committees listed in subparagraph (A)(i) and make publicly available an annual report that describes the activities of the Center during the previous year, which shall address the information described in subclauses (I) through (XII) of subparagraph (A). ``(C) Privacy and civil liberties audits.--The Privacy Office and the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Office of the Department of Homeland Security shall annually-- ``(i) conduct an audit of the implementation of the procedures described in paragraph (2)(F); and ``(ii) submit to Congress a report discussing the findings of the audit.”
“``(ii) Contents.--The report required under clause (i) shall include-- ``(I) a description of the organizational structure of the Center; ``(II) a list of the Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies and private sector entities that participate in the Center or have access to the data of the Center; ``(III) the number of open and closed assessments, open and closed preliminary investigations, open and closed full investigations, and prosecutions involving activities of the Center and a description of the nature of each crime; ``(IV) a list of the data systems accessible through the Center, including data originating from outside the Center, the names of data providers, and the names of any private sector contractors that provide data or intelligence reports; ``(V) the number and purpose of searches of individuals involving personally identifiable information of data under mechanisms established and used under paragraph (2)(D); ``(VI) the use of biometrics by the Center, including-- ``(aa) the types of biometrics that are captured, acquired, shared, stored, or maintained; ``(bb) the processes and tools the Center and partners use for these purposes; ``(cc) the sources of the biometrics, including any contracts; ``(dd) the access controls to the biometrics; and ``(ee) any oversight processes implemented by the Center; ``(VII) if the Center plays a role in watchlisting processes, information about the role of the Center in these processes, including a description of the nominations process, who may nominate, to which watch lists, what information is used for these purposes, the number of nominations to watch lists conducted by nominators, the number of nominations that involve information originating from a private sector entity, audits of the nominations for continued relevance, and the controls put in place to oversee the processes; ``(VIII) any challenges required to be addressed while establishing the Center; ``(IX) any lessons learned from establishing the Center, including successful prosecutions resulting from the activities of the Center; ``(X) recommendations for ways to strengthen the enforcement of laws involving organized retail and supply chain crime; ``(XI) the intersections and commonalities between organized retail crime organizations and other organized theft groups, including supply chain diversion and theft; and ``(XII) the impact of organized theft groups on the scarcity of vital products, including medicines, personal protective equipment, and infant formula.”
“``(5) Reporting requirements.-- ``(A) Initial report.-- ``(i) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2026, the Secretary shall make publicly available a report regarding the establishment of the Center and submit such report to-- ``(I) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate; ``(II) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; ``(III) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and ``(IV) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.”
“``(C) Information sharing.-- ``(i) In general.--Subject to the approval of the Director of the Center, information that would otherwise be subject to the limitation on the disclosure of confidential information set forth in section 1905 of title 18, United States Code, may be shared if such disclosure is operationally necessary. ``(ii) Non-delegable authority.--The Director may not delegate his or her authority under this subparagraph.”
“``(D) State and local staff.--The staff of the Center may include detailees from State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies, who shall serve at the Center on a nonreimbursable basis. ``(4) Coordination.-- ``(A) In general.--The Center shall coordinate its activities related to organized retail and supply chain crime, as appropriate, with other Federal agencies and centers responsible for countering transnational organized crime threats. ``(B) Shared resources.--In establishing the Center, the Executive Associate Director may co-locate or otherwise share resources and personnel, including detailees and agency liaisons, with the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center established pursuant to section 305(a)(1).”
“``(C) Federal staff.--The staff of the Center-- ``(i) shall include special agents and analysts from Homeland Security Investigations; and ``(ii) may also include detailed criminal investigators, analysts, and liaisons from other Federal agencies who have responsibilities related to organized retail and supply chain crime, including detailees from-- ``(I) U.S. Customs and Border Protection; ``(II) the United States Secret Service; ``(III) the United States Postal Inspection Service; ``(IV) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; ``(V) the Drug Enforcement Administration; ``(VI) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and ``(VII) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.”
“``(3) Leadership; staffing.-- ``(A) Director.--The Center shall be headed by a Director, who shall be-- ``(i) an experienced law enforcement officer; ``(ii) appointed by the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and ``(iii) in a Senior Executive Service position as defined in section 3132 of title 5, United States Code. ``(B) Deputy director.--The Director of the Center shall be assisted by a Deputy Director, who shall be appointed, on a 2-year rotational basis, upon request from the Executive Associate Director, by-- ``(i) the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; or ``(ii) the Director of the United States Secret Service.”
“``(2) Duties.--The duties of the Center shall include-- ``(A) coordinating Federal law enforcement activities related to organized retail and supply chain crime and organized retail and supply chain crime groups, including investigations of national and transnational criminal organizations that are engaged in organized retail and supply chain crime; ``(B) establishing relationships with State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies and organizations, including organized retail crime associations, cargo theft associations, and other companies determined by the Executive Associate Director to have significant interests relating to organized retail and supply chain crime threats; ``(C) assisting State, local, Tribal and territorial law enforcement agencies with State and local investigations of organized retail and supply chain crime groups pursuant to existing law; ``(D) establishing a mechanism to-- ``(i) receive investigative information on organized retail and supply chain crime from Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies and retail, transportation, and other organizations, including organized retail crime associations, cargo theft associations, and other companies determined by the Executive Associate Director to have significant interests relating to organized retail and supply chain crime threats; and ``(ii) disseminate analysis of the tactics, techniques, and procedures of organized retail and supply chain crime groups, including through analysis of information received through the mechanism, to Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies and organized retail crime associations and cargo theft associations, including organized retail crime associations, cargo theft associations, and other companies determined by the Executive Associate Director to have significant interests relating to organized retail and supply chain crime threats; ``(E) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2026, reporting to Congress regarding whether the Homeland Security Information Network is sufficient to implement the information sharing requirements under the duties under this paragraph; ``(F) in coordination with the Privacy Officer and Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officers of the Department of Homeland Security-- ``(i) developing, implementing, and regularly reviewing for needed updates training and instructions about what information is authorized for submission under subparagraph (D), consistent with the definitions in subsection (a) and appropriate privacy and civil liberties guardrails, and ensuring regular training for all individuals submitting such information; ``(ii) requiring that for each submission of such information, the submitting entity certify that the investigative information meets the definitions under subsection (a) and is consistent with the training; ``(iii) conducting regular quality assurance to ensure that all information submitted, retained, and shared is consistent with the definitions under subsection (a); ``(iv) establishing thresholds for the collection, retention, and dissemination of any personally identifiable information about a citizen of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States, or an individual residing inside the United States, including limits on the retention of such information; ``(v) memorializing any determination to collect, retain, or disseminate personally [[Page S3778]] identifiable information about a citizen of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States, or an individual residing inside the United States consistent with the thresholds established under clause (iv) along with a justification for that decision; ``(vi) ensuring that personally identifiable information about a citizen of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States, or an individual residing inside the United States may not be disseminated or used within the Department of Homeland Security for any purpose other than efforts to counter transnational organized retail and supply chain crime groups, unless the Center determines (and documents) that there is probable cause to believe the individual described in the personally identifiable information is committing, attempting to commit, or aiding or abetting a crime; and ``(vii) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2026, carrying out 1 or more privacy compliance review processes and publishing new or updated privacy impact assessments and system of records notices in accordance with the document of the Office of Management and Budget entitled `Guidance for Implementing the Privacy Provisions of the E-Government Act of 2002' (OMB M-03-22) and the document of the Office of Management and Budget entitled `Managing Information as a Strategic Resource' (OMB Circular A-130) for each new or updated information technology system and project that collects, maintains, or disseminates information in identifiable information from or about members of the public including any databases or systems used or developed in this section; ``(G) tracking trends with respect to organized retail and supply chain crime and organized retail and supply chain crime groups and releasing annual public reports on such trends; and ``(H) supporting the provision of training and technical assistance in accordance with subsection (c).”
“``(4) Organized retail and supply chain crime group.--The term `organized retail and supply chain crime group' means 3 or more individuals who are jointly engaged in the conduct described in paragraph (3), with a centralized coordination of operations across the steps of the organized retail and supply chain crime cycle. ``(5) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Homeland Security. ``(b) Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center.-- ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2026, the Secretary shall direct the Executive Associate Director to establish the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center.”
“``(3) Organized retail and supply chain crime.--The term `organized retail and supply chain crime' means-- ``(A) any crime described in section 659, 2117, 2314, or 2315 of title 18, United States Code, that is committed by, in coordination with, or at the instruction of an organization for the purpose of the systematic, large-scale theft of retail goods or goods in the supply chain from manufacturers, logistics and transportation providers, distributors, or retailers, which may include the subsequent resale of those stolen goods in interstate or foreign commerce for financial gain; ``(B) aiding or abetting the commission of, or conspiring to commit, any act that is in furtherance of a violation of a crime referred to in subparagraph (A) in the context of an organized retail and supply chain crime group; or ``(C) other crimes which materially further organized retail and supply chain crime.”
“SEC. 204. ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTER TO COMBAT ORGANIZED RETAIL AND SUPPLY CHAIN CRIME. (a) In General.--Title III of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4341 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 305 the following: ``SEC. 305A. ORGANIZED RETAIL AND SUPPLY CHAIN CRIME COORDINATION CENTER. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Center.--The term `Center' means the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center established pursuant to subsection (b)(1). ``(2) Executive associate director.--The term `Executive Associate Director' means the Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations.”
“SEC. 203. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE. Part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in section 982(a)(5)-- (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), respectively; (B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following: ``(C) section 659 (interstate or foreign shipments by carrier; State prosecutions);''; (C) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated, by striking ``; or'' and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by inserting after subparagraph (F), as so redesignated, the following: ``(G) section 2314 (transportation of stolen goods, securities, moneys, fraudulent State tax stamps, or articles used in counterfeiting); or ``(H) section 2315 (sale or receipt of stolen goods, securities, moneys, or fraudulent State tax stamps);''; (2) in section 1956(c)-- (A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and money orders'' and inserting ``money orders, general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, and store gift cards''; and (B) in paragraph (7)(D)-- (i) by inserting ``section 659 (interstate or foreign shipments by carrier; State prosecutions),'' after ``section 658 (relating to property mortgaged or pledged to farm credit agencies),''; and (ii) by inserting ``section 2314 (transportation of stolen goods, securities, moneys, fraudulent State tax stamps, or articles used in counterfeiting), section 2315 (sale or receipt of stolen goods, securities, moneys, or fraudulent State tax stamps),'' after ``section 2281 (relating to violence against maritime fixed platforms),''; (3) in section 2314, in the first paragraph-- (A) by inserting ``or of an aggregate value of $5,000 or more during any 12-month period,'' after ``more,''; (B) by inserting ``embezzled,'' after ``stolen,''; and (C) by inserting ``, false pretense, or other illegal means'' after ``fraud''; and (4) in section 2315, in the first paragraph, by inserting ``or of an aggregate value of $5,000 or more during any 12- month period,'' after ``$5,000 or more,''.”
“It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) organized theft groups, involving sophisticated and structured groups of individuals, continue to increase criminal activities carried out by the groups against the retail industry and the supply chain of the Nation, and these activities, at unprecedented levels, involve theft and fraud of both physical and digital goods, leading to escalating financial losses and violence in the workplace--all impacting the national economy and security of the United States; (2) retailers face mounting thefts and fraud because of organized retail crime in and around stores, online, and throughout the retail ecosystem, and, according to the National Retail Federation, larceny incidents increased by 93 percent in 2023 compared to 2019, with a 90 percent rise in average dollar loss; (3) these thefts are often orchestrated by organized theft groups reselling and redistributing the stolen goods back into the economy of the United States or overseas to gain illicit profit and to finance other criminal activity, and more than 84 percent of retailers report that violence and aggression from these criminal activities has become more of a concern since 2022, resulting in injuries and deaths among employees, customers, security officers, and law enforcement personnel; (4) product manufacturers and the supply chain of the Nation are victims of alarming increases in cargo theft across rails, roads, and the various distribution points across the Nation; (5) CargoNet, a database of reported incidents in the United States, reported a 27 percent increase in cargo theft incidents in 2024 compared to the previous year, while during the same period, the average value per theft rose to over $202,000; (6) these thefts range from large-scale physical theft of goods from containers and storage to sophisticated cybercriminal methods that divert shipments to illicit receivers, causing significant financial losses and operational supply chain disruptions; (7) since 2022, more than 30 State laws have been enacted to address organized theft, allow for aggregation of thefts, and adjust penalties and enhancements, including in 2024, California voters overwhelmingly approving a constitutional reform to allow aggregation of multiple or repeated thefts; (8) although larceny and organized retail crime are sometimes prosecuted at State and local levels, States face resource and investigative challenges from groups operating beyond local, State, and regional law enforcement capabilities, and more needs to be done to address the cross- jurisdictional, interstate, and international aspects of these crimes; (9) organized theft groups vary in scope and scale, operating across State jurisdictions to avoid or disrupt local, State, and [[Page S3777]] Tribal law enforcement response, and these organized theft groups build hierarchies to easily redistribute stolen goods and illicit profits back into the economy of the United States or overseas with disregard for product and consumer safety; (10) the groups exist and operate at the local, regional, and transnational level, targeting goods that include raw and finished materials, various branded retail products across all consumer categories, operational assets in retail commerce such as reusable transport packaging products, and consumable goods including agriculture, food products, and medicines; (11) these groups are often polycriminal organizations, using profit from the reselling of stolen goods to support crimes involving drugs and weapons trafficking; (12) the organized theft groups engage in human smuggling and have been known to use migrants to commit crimes to support the organizations; (13) the groups move products and illicit proceeds beyond the borders of the United States, funding nefarious groups and activities and threatening the integrity of the international economy; (14) organized theft groups-- (A) threaten the safety and liberty of individuals in the United States when those individuals engage in commerce; (B) impact the ability of the Nation to distribute goods to consumers, undermine consumer confidence in the supply chain, and threaten the integrity of agricultural and consumable goods; (C) erode the national economy by increasing the cost of goods, resulting in higher prices for consumers, reducing tax revenues, and impacting employees, customers, and businesses alike; and (D) impact the national security of the United States through financing transnational criminal activity and providing profit and proceeds supporting larger criminal goals of the criminal organizations; and (15) it has become necessary for Congress to-- (A) amend title 18, United States Code, to ensure that law enforcement has the legal tools necessary to combat organized retail crime in the same capacity that law enforcement is able to combat theft and diversion from other portions of the supply chain; and (B) direct the executive branch to create a central coordination center to align Federal, State, local, territorial, and Tribal efforts to combat organized retail crime and organized supply chain crime.”
“(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 2260A and inserting the following: ``2260A. Other offenses and penalties.''. SEC. 134. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this subtitle, an amendment made by this subtitle, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this subtitle, the amendments made by this subtitle, and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. TITLE II--COMBATING ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2026''. SEC. 202. FINDINGS.”
“SEC. 133. PENALTIES FOR THREATS TO DISTRIBUTE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL. (a) In General.--Title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in section 1466A-- (A) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding subsection (b), by inserting ``, but if the offense involves the knowing use of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, with the intent to intimidate, coerce, extort, or cause substantial emotional distress to any person, the maximum term of imprisonment provided in section 2252A(b)(1) shall be increased by 10 years'' before the period at the end; and (B) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding subsection (c), by inserting ``, but if the offense involves the knowing use of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, with the intent to intimidate, coerce, extort, or cause substantial emotional distress to any person, the maximum term of imprisonment provided in section 2252A(b)(2) shall be increased by 10 years'' before the period at the end; and (2) in section 2260A-- (A) in the section heading, by striking ``Penalties for registered sex offenders'' and inserting ``Other offenses and penalties''; (B) by striking ``Whoever'' and inserting the following: ``(1) Offenses by registered sex offenders.--Whoever''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Additional penalties.--If any offense under section 875(d), 2251, 2252, 2252A, or 2260 involves the knowing use of child pornography with the intent to intimidate, coerce, extort, or cause substantial emotional distress to any person, the maximum term of imprisonment provided in section 875(d), 2251(e), 2252(b), 2252A(b), or 2260(c) shall be increased by 10 years.''.”
“Title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in section 2252-- (A) in subsection (a)(2)-- (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)-- (I) by inserting ``, or threatens to distribute any visual depiction with intent to intimidate, coerce, extort, or cause substantial emotional distress to any person,'' after ``distributes, any visual depiction''; (II) by striking ``foreign commerce or that'' and inserting ``foreign commerce, or involving a visual depiction that''; and (III) by striking ``, or which contains materials which have been mailed or so shipped or transported,''; and (B) in subsection (b)-- (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Whoever'' and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (3), whoever''; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``(3) Whoever violates, or attempts or conspires to violate, subsection (a)(2) for threatening to distribute any visual depiction, as described in that subsection, shall be punished as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection if no such visual depiction existed.''; and (2) in section 2252A-- (A) in subsection (a)(2)(A)-- (i) by inserting ``, or threatens to distribute any child pornography with intent to intimidate, coerce, extort, or cause substantial emotional distress to any person,'' after ``any child pornography''; and (ii) by striking ``foreign commerce or that'' and inserting ``foreign commerce, or involving any child pornography that''; and (B) in subsection (b)-- (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Whoever'' and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (4), whoever''; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Whoever violates, or attempts or conspires to violate, subsection (a)(2)(A) for threatening to distribute any child pornography, as described in that subsection, shall be punished as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection if no such child pornography existed.''.”
“(3) Delayed applicability of provider duty to report.--The amendment made to section 2258A(a)(1)(A) of title 18, United States Code, by paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(I)(aa) of this subsection, shall apply on and after the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 124. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this subtitle, an amendment made by this subtitle, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this subtitle, the amendments made by this subtitle, and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. Subtitle C--Stop Sextortion SEC. 131. SHORT TITLE. This subtitle may be cited as the ``Stop Sextortion Act''. SEC. 132. CRIMINALIZING THREATS TO DISTRIBUTE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL.”