Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2116

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-09: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

Last Updated

2026-07-09T13:27:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, titled the "Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act," aims to increase public awareness of transnational repression—actions by foreign governments or their agents to coerce, harass, or threaten people in the U.S. or U.S. persons abroad—and related terrorism threats. It requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to run educational campaigns and support law enforcement efforts to counter these activities, while protecting constitutional rights.

Key Provisions

• Public Service Announcement (PSA) Campaign: DHS's Office of Partnership and Engagement must lead a campaign to educate the public and international allies about transnational repression, associated terrorism risks, and available resources for victims. This includes guidance on anonymously reporting suspicions to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The campaign will use languages deemed relevant by the DHS Secretary.
• Research and Development (R&D): Within one year of enactment, DHS, working with its Under Secretary for Science and Technology, must conduct R&D and testing of technologies and methods to help federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial officials counter transnational repression and related threats. This must respect constitutional protections, privacy laws, civil rights, and civil liberties.
• Definitions:
• Transnational Repression: Actions by a foreign government or its agent to coerce, harass, threaten (including with force or fear of harm/imprisonment), suppress First Amendment rights (free speech and assembly), retaliate for exercising rights, or commit extrajudicial killings. These must benefit the foreign government and occur partly in the U.S. or target U.S. persons.
• Agent of a Foreign Government: An individual or entity controlled by a foreign government or its officials.
• U.S. Person: Defined broadly under existing law to include U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain protected entities.
• Technical Update: Adds the new section (890E) to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and updates the law's table of contents.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 by adding a new section (890E) to Subtitle H of Title VIII, which previously focused on other homeland security partnerships but did not address transnational repression specifically. It introduces the first statutory definition of "transnational repression" in U.S. law and mandates DHS-led public education and R&D on the topic, expanding DHS's role in countering foreign interference without creating new enforcement powers.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: DHS will gain responsibilities for PSA campaigns and R&D, requiring coordination with the FBI and other law enforcement levels (federal, state, local, Tribal, territorial). This could increase DHS's budget needs for multilingual outreach and technology development.
• Citizens: U.S. persons, especially immigrants, activists, or dissidents targeted by foreign governments, may benefit from greater awareness, reporting tools, and support resources, potentially reducing vulnerability to harassment or threats.
• International Relations: By highlighting and countering actions from specific foreign governments (e.g., through public education), the law could heighten diplomatic tensions with countries engaging in such repression, signaling U.S. commitment to protecting rights abroad.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Primary: DHS and its Office of Partnership and Engagement (leads implementation); FBI (receives reports); victims of transnational repression, including U.S. citizens, residents, and diaspora communities.
• Secondary: State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement (gains R&D support); international allies (targeted for education); foreign governments and their agents (potentially scrutinized or deterred).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Provides a clear, tailored definition of transnational repression, which could guide future investigations or prosecutions under existing laws (e.g., against harassment or threats), without granting new DHS authority to investigate directly.
• Constitutional: Explicitly requires R&D to uphold First Amendment rights (free speech/assembly) and other protections, ensuring activities do not infringe on privacy or civil liberties—addressing potential concerns over surveillance in counter-repression efforts.
• Political: Strengthens U.S. stance against foreign authoritarian interference, appealing to bipartisan concerns over national security and human rights. It may encourage similar measures in allied countries but could be seen as provocative by adversarial nations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-09: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
• 2025-04-09: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-03-25: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2025-03-25: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (5 pages)