S. 2077Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act of 2017

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 6:56 PM UTC

The Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act of 2017 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to evaluate the Department’s current actions against the threat of vehicular terrorism—attacks that use vehicles to cause political violence—and to report the findings to Congress. The goal is to better understand the threat, assess existing measures, and identify ways to improve security and coordination with private partners. The bill primarily affects the Department of Homeland Security, its private‑sector partners, and ultimately the public safety landscape.

Key Provisions

Defines “vehicular terrorism” as the use of automotive transportation to inflict violence and intimidation for political purposes.
Mandates that within six months of enactment the Secretary of Homeland Security must examine DHS actions to combat vehicular terrorism and prepare a report for the Senate and House Homeland Security committees.
Specifies that the report must cover the current threat level, DHS actions taken, possible mitigation strategies, outreach or training with private‑sector partners, and recommendations for congressional action.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

November 6, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

November 6, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

November 6, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued November 6, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 2077

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 6, 2017

Mr. Cassidy introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to examine the actions the Department of Homeland Security is undertaking to combat the threat of vehicular terrorism, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act of 2017.

Report on vehicular terrorism

(a)

Definition

In this section, the term vehicular terrorism means an action that uses automotive transportation to inflict violence and intimidation on individuals for a political purpose.

(b)

Report

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall—

(1)

examine the actions the Department of Homeland Security is undertaking to combat the threat of vehicular terrorism; and

(2)

submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report that contains information relating to the findings and recommendations resulting from that examination.

(c)

Contents

The report required under subsection (b) shall outline—

(1)

an examination of the current threat level for vehicular terrorism;

(2)

an examination of the actions the Department of Homeland Security is undertaking to guard against vehicular terrorism;

(3)

an examination of how the threat of vehicular terrorism may be mitigated;

(4)

an examination of the extent to which the Department of Homeland Security is doing outreach or training with private sector partners in response to threats of vehicular terrorism; and

(5)

an examination of actions Congress can take to help the Department of Homeland Security mitigate the threat of vehicular terrorism.