Bill would make domestic terrorism a federal crime

U.S. Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) released a draft of a bill Wednesday that would make domestic terrorism a federal crime.

Domestic terrorism is defined in the criminal code but is not a distinct federal crime with specific punishments. This makes it more challenging to track domestic terror acts, reduces uniformity in charging and sentencing and often means federal law enforcement agencies open domestic terrorism investigations but end up charging domestic terror suspects with other offenses.

“Domestic terrorism is in our backyard, and we need to call it and treat it under the law the same as other forms of terrorism,” McSally said. “For too long, we have allowed those who commit heinous acts of domestic terrorism to be charged with related crimes that don’t portray the full scope of their hateful actions. That stops with my bill. The bill I am introducing will give federal law enforcement the tools they have asked for so that they can punish criminals to the fullest extent of the law.”

The bill would criminalize violent and destructive acts with political motives, allow federal law enforcement authorities to charge suspects with acts of domestic terror and would focus resources on combatting domestic terrorism.

McSally plans to introduce the bill in September.