Senator Collins, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Bolster Violent Crime Laws

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins joined 10 of her Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to strengthen violent crime statutes and help prevent future crime. The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act would resolve conflicting court decisions by clarifying penalties for violent offenses like carjacking, robbery, and kidnapping.

“Violent crimes endanger public safety and demand a strong, consistent response,” said Senator Collins. “This legislation clarifies congressional intent where courts have been divided, helping to ensure that violent offenders can be prosecuted effectively and held fully accountable.”

The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act addresses ambiguity and conflicting application of existing law by clarifying congressional intent without establishing sweeping new offense categories. Among other provisions, the bill would:

• Resolve conflicting circuit court decisions that have resulted in a higher burden to charge violent offenses;

• Clarify that an attempt or conspiracy to commit an offence involving physical force meets the legal definition of a violent crime;

• Increase the statutory maximum penalty for carjacking and remove a duplicative intent requirement needed to charge a carjacking offense;

• Clarify that attempted bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery are punishable under the current bank robbery statute;

• Outlaw the marketing of candy-flavored drugs to minors; and

• Establish a new category of violent kidnapping offences, allowing for greater penalties for violent kidnapping.

In addition to Senator Collins, the legislation was introduced by Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Boozman (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Jim Risch (R-ID).

The complete text of the bill can be read here.

###