S 1949 — Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act

Summary

Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime ActThis bill expands the definition of crime of violence for the purposes of determining whether a defendant is subject to an enhanced criminal penalty for using or carrying a firearm in the crime of violence. The bill also expands applicable criminal penalties for bank robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping offenses, as well as certain drug offenses.Under current law, an individual who uses or carries a firearm in a crime of violence is subject to an enhanced mandatory minimum prison term in addition and consecutive to any other prison term imposed for the underlying crime of violence. The term crime of violence includes a felony that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force. This bill expands crime of violence to include a conspiracy or an attempt to commit a felony that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force.This bill expands applicable penalties for federal criminal offenses involving bank robbery, carjacking, or kidnapping, including by specifying the offenses that include as an element force or threat, or intimidation, and therefore qualify as a crime of violence under the existing definition.Additionally, a conspiracy or attempt to commit a federal bank robbery, carjacking or kidnapping offense qualifies as a crime of violence under the expanded definition.Finally, the bill establishes additional criminal penalties for certain federal drug offenses involving the manufacture or distribution of candy-flavored controlled substances or similar products for minors.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html June 04, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends several key criminal statutes to enhance penalties and clarify legal standards related to violent crimes and drug offenses.

• 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a)

  , or attempts to take, → , or attempts to do so

  Clarifies that attempting to take property from a bank is included in the offense.

• 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a)

  or attempts to obtain

  Removes the phrase regarding attempts to obtain property, potentially simplifying the statute.

• 18 U.S.C. § 2113

  f) Whoever conspires to commit any offense under this section shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.

  Establishes penalties for conspiracy to commit bank robbery.

• 18 U.S.C. § 111

  (d) Knowledge of Defendant.--In a prosecution for an offense under subsection (a), the Government need not prove that the defendant-- (1) knew that the victim of the offense was a person designated in section 1114 or performed official duties during service as a person so designated; or (2) acted with any intent greater than knowledge.

  Lowers the burden of proof for the prosecution, requiring only knowledge of the act rather than intent to harm official persons.

• 18 U.S.C. § 2119

  , with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm

  Eliminates the specific intent requirement for motor vehicle theft offenses.

• 18 U.S.C. § 2119(1)

  15 years → 20 years

  Increases the maximum penalty for motor vehicle theft.

• 18 U.S.C. § 2119(1)

  if a dangerous weapon or device is used in committing, or in attempting to commit, the offense, be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 25 years, or both

  Enhances penalties for offenses involving a dangerous weapon during motor vehicle theft.

• 18 U.S.C. § 2119(3)

  25 years → 40 years

  Increases the penalty for when a dangerous weapon is involved in motor vehicle theft.

• 21 U.S.C. § 841

  manufacturing or distributing candy-flavored controlled substances for minors Sec. 418a. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c) and in section 418, 419, or 420, a person shall be subject to the penalty described in subsection (b) if the person violates section 401(a)(1)-- (1) by manufacturing, creating, distributing, dispensing, or possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance listed in schedule I or II that is-- (A) combined with a candy or beverage product; (B) marketed or packaged to appear similar to a candy or beverage product; or (C) modified by flavoring or coloring to appear similar to a candy or beverage product; and (2) knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that the controlled substance will be distributed, dispensed, or sold to a person under 18 years of age.

  Creates new penalties for manufacturing or distributing candy-flavored controlled substances intended for minors.

• 21 U.S.C. § 841

  the penalty described in this subsection is-- (1) in the case of a first offense involving the same controlled substance and schedule, an additional term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years; and (2) in the case of a second or subsequent offense involving the same controlled substance and schedule, an additional term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years.

  Sets specific penalties for violations of candy-flavored controlled substance laws.

• 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a)

  with intent to cause death or serious bodily harm

  Removes the intent requirement related to harm in kidnapping offenses.

• 18 U.S.C. § 1201(a)

  Any person who commits a violation under this subsection shall be punished by imprisonment for any term of years or for life and, if the death of any individual results, shall be punished by death or life imprisonment.

  Clarifies penalties for kidnapping, including death penalty provisions for resulting deaths.

Action History

1. June 04, 2025

   Introduced in Senate

2. June 04, 2025

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

• John Boozman · Cosponsor
• Kevin Cramer · Cosponsor
• Bill Cassidy · Cosponsor
• James Lankford · Cosponsor
• Mitch McConnell · Cosponsor
• Susan M. Collins · Cosponsor
• Shelley Moore Capito · Cosponsor
• Mike Crapo · Cosponsor
• Thomas Tillis · Cosponsor
• James E. Risch · Cosponsor
• Marsha Blackburn · Cosponsor
• David McCormick · Cosponsor
• Chuck Grassley · Primary

Subjects