Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2139

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

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 Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act (H.R. 2139) aims to enhance the ability of state, local, Tribal, campus, and territorial law enforcement agencies to identify, prevent, and respond to transnational repression—actions by foreign governments or their agents to harass, coerce, or threaten individuals in the United States—and related terrorism threats. It does this by mandating training programs, community outreach, and research within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), while emphasizing the protection of privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

Key Provisions

• Training Program Development: DHS must create a training program through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement and the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis. This program targets law enforcement personnel, including those in the National Network of Fusion Centers (intelligence-sharing hubs), to build skills in countering transnational repression.
• Training Content Requirements:
• Identifying instances of transnational repression and related terrorism threats.
• Guidelines for collecting and recording information on suspected perpetrators in IT systems.
• Protocols for sharing relevant information with private sector entities, such as faith-based organizations and educational institutions that may be targets or victims.
• Methods for identifying potential targets or victims.
• Best practices for personal safety (e.g., improving physical security, awareness of surroundings, and online protection) and connecting victims to support resources from agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
• Delivery of Training: Trainings must be provided by FLETC or other DHS components accredited by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Model Practice Clearinghouse (a DHS-standardized accreditation process) or a similar method.
• Community Awareness Briefings: The Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement and the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties must coordinate with law enforcement and affected communities to provide briefings on recognizing and protecting against these threats.
• Research and Development: DHS must collaborate on developing technology to increase training participation rates among law enforcement and share methods for identifying repression instances, targets, victims, and perpetrators.
• Definitions:
• Transnational repression: Actions by a foreign government or its agents to coerce, harass, threaten (including digital or physical threats), retaliate against First Amendment or other constitutional rights, or commit extrajudicial killings, when done in the U.S. or against U.S. persons (defined as U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or entities organized under U.S. law).
• Personal safety best practices: Measures to boost individuals' and communities' physical security, situational awareness, and online safety.
• Oversight: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must review implementation and report to Congress within two years of enactment.
• Technical Update: Adds the new section to the Homeland Security Act of 2002'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 broader homeland security matters but did not specifically address transnational repression. It introduces mandatory priorities for DHS to focus resources on training and outreach tailored to this emerging threat, without altering existing privacy or civil rights protections but explicitly requiring consistency with them. No repeals or major overhauls of prior provisions are included; it builds incrementally on DHS's existing training and intelligence frameworks.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: DHS components (e.g., FLETC, CISA, USCIS) will need to allocate resources for program development, training delivery, and R&D, potentially increasing coordination across federal levels. State and local agencies may see improved readiness but could face initial costs for participation. The GAO review ensures accountability and may lead to future adjustments.
• On Citizens: Individuals and communities vulnerable to foreign repression—such as dissidents, journalists, activists, ethnic or religious minorities, and their families—could benefit from better protection, faster victim support, and awareness tools, reducing risks of harassment or violence. Broader public safety may improve through enhanced law enforcement capabilities.
• On International Relations: By defining and countering foreign government actions in the U.S., the law signals stronger U.S. opposition to extraterritorial repression, potentially straining ties with adversarial nations (e.g., those engaging in such activities) while bolstering alliances with countries facing similar threats. It does not impose new sanctions but could inform diplomatic responses.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Law Enforcement and Government Entities: State, local, Tribal, campus, and territorial agencies; DHS offices (e.g., FLETC, Intelligence and Analysis, Partnership and Engagement); fusion centers; and support agencies like CISA and USCIS.
• Communities and Private Sector: Potential targets or victims, including faith-based organizations, educational institutions, immigrant communities, and civil society groups; private sector partners for information sharing.
• Oversight Bodies: Congress (receiving GAO report) and the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (ensuring rights protections).
• Broader Public: U.S. persons (citizens, residents, and U.S.-based entities) at risk from foreign interference.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal and Constitutional: The bill reinforces First Amendment protections by explicitly targeting repression that interferes with free speech and other rights, while mandating safeguards for privacy and civil liberties to avoid overreach (e.g., in surveillance or data collection). It aligns with existing anti-terrorism laws but introduces a specific focus on state-sponsored non-violent coercion, potentially expanding prosecutable offenses under federal statutes without creating new crimes.
• Political: As a bipartisan bill (introduced by representatives from both parties), it highlights growing congressional concern over foreign authoritarian influence in the U.S., possibly influencing future foreign policy or intelligence priorities. Referred to Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees, it could spark debates on balancing security with immigration and civil rights issues, especially for diaspora communities. No direct funding is authorized, so implementation depends on DHS budgets, which may invite partisan discussions on resource allocation.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]

Cosponsors (6)

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

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

• Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (8 pages)