This bill would add an "ideological motive" aggravating factor to the list of factors that can make a federal offense eligible for the death penalty. The new factor covers intentional targeting of a victim because of the victim's actual or perceived political or religious beliefs, affiliations, expressions, or activities, and also covers violence intended to promote, retaliate, influence, protest, or make a public statement about political or religious matters. The bill also directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend the Sentencing Guidelines to conform with this change. The bill was introduced on November 5, 2025, read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
If passed, a defendant who is found to have committed a covered federal crime for ideological reasons could be eligible for the death penalty when prosecutors and courts apply the new aggravating factor. The Sentencing Commission would be asked to update federal sentencing rules to reflect the change. The bill is currently under committee review.
No publicly available information on budget or cost estimates appears in the text. The bill directs the Sentencing Commission to amend its manual, but the text does not provide cost or funding details for that action.
The bill's findings state that intentionally targeting people for their political or religious beliefs threatens democratic society, chills free expression, functions as ideological intimidation, and undermines public safety, civil liberties, and the rule of law. The findings say the government has a compelling interest in preventing people from being silenced or targeted for their lawful political or religious beliefs.
No publicly available information.