I
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1124
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 21, 2023
Mr. Espaillat (for himself, Mr. Sarbanes, Ms. Barragán, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Norton, Mr. García of Illinois, Mr. Phillips, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Meng, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Casar, Mr. Morelle, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. Mullin, and Mr. Johnson of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To abolish the death penalty under Federal law.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2023
.
Repeal of Federal laws providing for the death penalty
Homicide-Related offenses
Murder related to the smuggling of aliens
Section 274(a)(1)(B)(iv) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324(a)(1)(B)(iv)) is amended by striking punished by death or
.
Destruction of aircraft, motor vehicles, or related facilities resulting in death
Section 34 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking to the death penalty or
.
Murder committed during a drug-related drive-by shooting
Section 36(b)(2)(A) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking death or
.
Murder committed at an airport serving international civil aviation
Section 37(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended, in the matter following paragraph (2), by striking punished by death or
.
Murder committed using chemical weapons
Section 229A(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in the paragraph heading, by striking Death penalty
and inserting Causing death
; and
by striking punished by death or
.
Civil rights offenses resulting in death
Chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in section 241, by striking , or may be sentenced to death
;
in section 242, by striking , or may be sentenced to death
;
in section 245(b), by striking , or may be sentenced to death
; and
in section 247(d)(1), by striking , or may be sentenced to death
.
Murder of a member of congress, an important executive official, or a supreme court justice
Section 351 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (b)—
by striking (1)
; and
by striking , or (2) by death
and all that follows through the end of the subsection and inserting a period; and
in subsection (d)—
by striking (1)
; and
by striking , or (2) by death
and all that follows through the end of the subsection and inserting a period.
Death resulting from offenses involving transportation of explosives, destruction of government property, or destruction of property related to foreign or interstate commerce
Section 844 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (d), by striking or to the death penalty
;
in subsection (f)(3), by striking subject to the death penalty, or
;
in subsection (i), by striking or to the death penalty
; and
in subsection (n), by striking (other than the penalty of death)
.
Murder committed by use of a firearm or armor piercing ammunition during commission of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime
Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (c)(5)(B)(i), by striking punished by death or
; and
in subsection (j)(1), by striking by death or
.
Genocide
Section 1091(b)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking death or
.
First degree murder
Section 1111(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking by death or
.
Murder by a Federal prisoner
Section 1118 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a), by striking by death or
; and
in subsection (b), in the third undesignated paragraph—
by inserting or
before an indeterminate
; and
by striking , or an unexecuted sentence of death
.
Murder of a State or local law enforcement official or other person aiding in a Federal investigation; murder of a State correctional officer
Section 1121 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a), by striking by sentence of death or
; and
in subsection (b)(1), by striking or death
.
Murder during a kidnapping
Section 1201(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking death or
.
Murder during a hostage-taking
Section 1203(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking death or
.
Mailing of injurious articles with intent to kill or resulting in death
Section 1716(j)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking to the death penalty or
.
Assassination or kidnapping resulting in the death of the president or vice president
Section 1751 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (b)—
by striking (1)
; and
by striking , or (2) by death
and all that follows through the end of the subsection and inserting a period; and
in subsection (d)—
by striking (1)
; and
by striking , or (2) by death
and all that follows through the end of the subsection and inserting a period.
Murder for hire
Section 1958(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking death or
.
Murder involved in a racketeering offense
Section 1959(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking death or
.
Willful wrecking of a train resulting in death
Section 1992 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a), in the matter following paragraph (10), by striking or subject to death,
; and
in subsection (b), in the matter following paragraph (3), by striking , and if the offense resulted in the death of any person, the person may be sentenced to death
.
Bank robbery-related murder or kidnapping
Section 2113(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking death or
.
Murder related to a carjacking
Section 2119(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking , or sentenced to death
.
Murder related to aggravated child sexual abuse
Section 2241(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking unless the death penalty is imposed,
.
Murder related to sexual abuse
Section 2245 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking punished by death or
.
Murder related to sexual exploitation of children
Section 2251(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking punished by death or
.
Murder committed during an offense against maritime navigation
Section 2280(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking punished by death or
.
Murder committed during an offense against a maritime fixed platform
Section 2281(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking punished by death or
.
Murder using devices or dangerous substances in waters of the United States
Section 2282A of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
by striking subsection (b); and
by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (b) and (c), respectively.
Murder involving the transportation of explosive, biological, chemical, or radioactive or nuclear materials
Section 2283 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
by striking subsection (b); and
by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
Murder involving the destruction of vessel or maritime facility
Section 2291(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking to the death penalty or
.
Murder of a United States national in another country
Section 2332(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking death or
.
Murder by the use of a weapon of mass destruction
Section 2332a of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a), in the matter following paragraph (4), by striking , and if death results shall be punished by death
and all that follows through the end of the subsection and inserting a period; and
in subsection (b), by striking , and if death results shall be punished by death
and all that follows through the end of the subsection and inserting a period.
Murder by Act of terrorism transcending national boundaries
Section 2332b(c)(1)(A) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking by death, or
.
Murder involving torture
Section 2340A(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking punished by death or
.
Murder involving a war crime
Section 2441(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking , and if death results to the victim, shall also be subject to the penalty of death
.
Murder related to a continuing criminal enterprise or related murder of a Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer
Section 408(e) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 848(e)) is amended—
in the subsection heading, by striking Death penalty
and inserting Intentional killing
; and
in paragraph (1)—
subparagraph (A), by striking , or may be sentenced to death
; and
in subparagraph (B), by striking , or may be sentenced to death
.
Death resulting from aircraft hijacking
Section 46502 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking put to death or
; and
in subsection (b)(1)(B), by striking put to death or
.
Non-Homicide related offenses
Espionage
Section 794(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking punished by death or
and all that follows before the period and inserting imprisoned for any term of years or for life
.
Treason
Section 2381 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking shall suffer death, or
.
Title 10
In general
Section 856 of title 10, United States Code (article 56 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: “, except that the punishment may not include death”.
Offenses
Conspiracy
Section 881(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 81(b)), is amended by striking , if death results
and all that follows through the end and inserting as a court-martial or military commission may direct.
.
Desertion
Section 885(c) of title 10, United States Code (article 85(c)), is amended by striking , if the offense is committed in time of war
and all that follows through the end and inserting as a court-martial may direct
.
Assaulting or willfully disobeying superior commissioned officer
Section 890 of title 10, United States Code (article 90), is amended by striking shall be punished
and all that follows through the end and inserting shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
.
Mutiny or sedition
Section 894(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 94(b)), is amended by striking by death or such other punishment
.
Misbehavior before the enemy
Section 899 of title 10, United States Code (article 99), is amended by striking by death or such other punishment
.
Subordinate compelling surrender
Section 900 of title 10, United States Code (article 100), is amended by striking by death or such other punishment
.
Improper use of countersign
Section 901 of title 10, United States Code (article 101), is amended by striking by death or such other punishment
.
Forcing a safeguard
Section 902 of title 10, United States Code (article 102), is amended by striking suffer death
and all that follows and inserting be punished as a court-martial may direct.
.
Aiding the enemy
Section 903b of title 10, United States Code (article 103b), is amended by striking suffer death or such other punishment as a court-martial or military commission may direct
and inserting be punished as a court-martial or military commission may direct
.
Spies
Section 903 of title 10, United States Code (article 103), is amended by striking by death
and inserting by imprisonment for life
.
Espionage
Section 903a of title 10, United States Code (article 103a), is amended—
by striking subsections (b) and (c);
by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a) as subsections (b) and (c), respectively;
in subsection (a)—
by striking (1)
;
by striking paragraph (2)
and inserting subsection (b)
;
by striking paragraph (3)
and inserting subsection (c)
; and
by striking as a court-martial may direct,
and all that follows and inserting as a court-martial may direct.
;
in subsection (b), as so redesignated—
by striking paragraph (1)
and inserting subsection (a)
; and
by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively; and
in subsection (c), as so redesignated, by striking paragraph (1)
and inserting subsection (a)
.
Improper hazarding of vessel
The text of section 910 of title 10, United States Code (article 110), is amended to read as follows:
Any person subject to this chapter who willfully and wrongfully, or negligently, hazards or suffers to be hazarded any vessel of the Armed Forces shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
.
Offenses by sentinel or lookout
Section 895(a) of title 10, United States Code (article 95(a)), is amended by striking shall be punished
and all that follows and inserting shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
.
Murder
Section 918 of title 10, United States Code (article 118), is amended by striking death or imprisonment for life as a court-martial may direct
and inserting imprisonment for life
.
Death or injury of an unborn child
Section 919a(a) of title 10, United States Code (article 119a), is amended—
in paragraph (1), by striking , other than death,
; and
by striking paragraph (4).
Crimes triable by military commission
Section 950t of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
in paragraph (1), by striking by death or such other punishment
;
in paragraph (2), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (7), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (8), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (9), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (11)(A), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (12), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (13)(A), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (14), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (15), by striking by death or such other punishment
;
in paragraph (17), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (23), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (24), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
;
in paragraph (27), by striking by death or such other punishment
; and
in paragraph (29), by striking , if death results
and all that follows and inserting as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
.
Jurisdictional and procedural matters
Dismissed officer's right to trial by court-martial
Section 804(a) of title 10, United States Code (article 4(a) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended by striking or death
.
Courts-martial classified
Section 816(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 16(b)), is amended—
by striking paragraph (2); and
by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).
Jurisdiction of general courts-martial
Section 818 of title 10, United States Code (article 18), is amended—
in subsection (a), by striking including the penalty of death when specifically authorized by this chapter
and inserting except death
;
by striking subsection (b); and
by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
Jurisdiction of special courts-martial
Section 819 of title 10, United States Code (article 19), is amended in the first sentence by striking for any noncapital offense
and all that follows and inserting for any offense made punishable by this chapter.
.
Jurisdiction of summary courts-martial
Section 820 of title 10, United States Code (article 20), is amended in the first sentence by striking noncapital
.
Number of members in capital cases
In general
Section 825a of title 10, United States Code (article 25a), is repealed.
Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of subchapter V of chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 825a (article 25a).
Absent and additional members
Section 829 of title 10, United States Code (article 29), is amended—
in subsection (b)(2), by striking shall impanel
and all that follows and inserting shall empanel eight members.
;
in subsection (d)—
in paragraph (1)—
by striking subparagraph (A);
by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and
in subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, by striking in a noncapital case
; and
in paragraph (2)—
by striking subparagraph (A);
by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and
in subparagraph (A), as so redesignated, by striking in a noncapital case
.
Statute of limitations
Subsection (a) of section 843 of title 10, United States Code (article 43), is amended to read as follows:
A person charged with an offense described in paragraph (2) may be tried and punished at any time without limitation.
An offense described in this paragraph is any offense as follows:
Absence without leave or missing movement in time of war.
Murder.
Rape.
A violation of section 881 of this title (article 81) that results in death to one or more of the victims.
Desertion or attempt to desert in time of war.
A violation of section 890 of this title (article 90) committed in time of war.
Attempted mutiny, mutiny, sedition, or failure to suppress or report a mutiny or sedition.
A violation of section 895(a) of this title (article 95(a)) committed in time of war.
A violation of section 899 of this title (article 99).
A violation of section 900 of this title (article 100).
A violation of section 901 of this title (article 101).
A violation of section 902 of this title (article 102).
A violation of section 903 of this title (article 103).
A violation of section 903a of this title (article 103a).
A violation of section 903b of this title (article 103b).
A violation of section 910 of this title (article 110) in which the person subject to this chapter willfully and wrongfully hazarded or suffered to be hazarded any vessel of the Armed Forces.
.
Pleas of accused
Section 845(b) of title 10, United States Code (article 45(b)), is amended—
by striking the first sentence; and
by striking With respect to any other charge
and inserting With respect to any charge
.
Depositions
Section 849 of title 10, United States Code (article 49), is amended by striking subsection (d).
Admissibility of records of courts of inquiry
Section 850 of title 10, United States Code (article 50), is amended—
in subsection (a), by striking not capital and
; and
in subsection (b), by striking capital cases or
.
Number of votes required for conviction and sentencing by court-martial
Section 852(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code (article 52(b)(2)), is amended by striking A sentence of death
and all that follows and inserting All sentences imposed by members shall be determined by the concurrence of at least three-fourths of the members present when the vote is taken.
Record of trial
Section 854(c)(2) of title 10, United States Code (article 54(c)(2)), is amended by striking death,
.
Forfeiture of pay and allowances during confinement
Section 858b(a)(2)(A) of title 10, United States Code (article 58b(a)(2)(A)), is amended by striking or death
.
Waiver or withdrawal of appeal
Section 861 of title 10, United States Code (article 61), is amended—
by striking subsection (c); and
by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).
Review by Court of Criminal Appeals
Section 866(b)(3) of title 10, United States Code (article 66(b)(3)), is amended by striking death,
.
Review by Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
Section 867(a) of title 10, United States Code (article 67(a)), is amended—
by striking paragraph (1); and
by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively.
Effective date of sentences
Section 857(a) of title 10, United States Code (article 57(a)), is amended—
by striking paragraph (3);
by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (6) as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and
in paragraph (4), as so redesignated—
by striking death, dismissal, or
each place it appears and inserting dismissal or
;
by striking death or
; and
by striking under paragraph (3) or (4), as appropriate
and inserting under paragraph (3)
.
General article
Section 934 of title 10, United States Code (article 134), is amended by striking crimes and offenses not capital
and inserting crimes and offenses
.
Jurisdiction of military commissions
Section 948d of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking including the penalty of death
and all that follows and inserting except death.
.
Number of members of military commissions
Subsection (a) of section 948m of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Number of members
A military commission under this chapter shall have at least 5 members.
.
Number of votes required for sentencing by military commission
Section 949m of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (b)—
by striking paragraph (1); and
by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; and
by striking subsection (c).
Appellate referral for military commissions
Section 950c of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (b)(1), by striking Except in a case in which the sentence as approved under section 950b of this title extends to death, an accused
and inserting An accused
; and
in subsection (c), by striking Except in a case in which the sentence as approved under section 950b of this title extends to death, the accused
and inserting The accused
.
Execution of sentence by military commissions
Section 950i of title 10, United States Code, is amended—
by striking subsections (b) and (c);
by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (b); and
in subsection (b), as so redesignated, by striking , except a sentence of death
.
Conforming amendments
Repeal of criminal procedures relating to imposition of death sentence
In general
Chapter 228 of title 18, United States Code, is repealed.
Clerical amendment
The table of chapters for part II of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to chapter 228.
Other provisions
Interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications
Section 2516(1)(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking by death or
.
Release and detention pending judicial proceedings
Chapter 207 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in section 3142(f)(1)(B), by striking or death
; and
in section 3146(b)(1)(A)(i), by striking death, life imprisonment,
and inserting life imprisonment
.
Venue in capital cases
Chapter 211 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
by striking section 3235; and
in the table of sections, by striking the item relating to section 3235.
Period of limitations
In general
Chapter 213 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking section 3281 and inserting the following:
Offenses with no period of limitations
An indictment may be found at any time without limitation for the following offenses:
A violation of section 274(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324(a)(1)(A)) resulting in the death of any person.
A violation of section 34 of this title.
A violation of section 36(b)(2)(A) of this title.
A violation of section 37(a) of this title that results in the death of any person.
A violation of section 229A(a)(2) of this title.
A violation of section 241, 242, 245(b), or 247(a) of this title that—
results in death; or
involved kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.
A violation of subsection (b) or (d) of section 351 of this title.
A violation of section 794(a) of this title.
A violation of subsection (d), (f), or (i) of section 844 of this title that results in the death of any person (including any public safety officer performing duties as a direct or proximate result of conduct prohibited by such subsection).
An offense punishable under subsection (c)(5)(B)(i) or (j)(1) of section 924 of this title.
An offense punishable under section 1091(b)(1) of this title.
A violation of section 1111 of this title that is murder in the first degree.
A violation of section 1118 of this title.
A violation of subsection (a) or (b) of section 1121 of this title.
A violation of section 1201(a) of this title that results in the death of any person.
A violation of section 1203(a) of this title that results in the death of any person.
An offense punishable under section 1512(a)(3) of this title that is murder (as that term is defined in section 1111 of this title).
An offense punishable under section 1716(j)(3) of this title.
A violation of subsection (b) or (d) of section 1751 of this title.
A violation of section 1958(a) of this title that results in death.
A violation of section 1959(a) of this title that is murder.
A violation of subsection (a) (except for a violation of paragraph (8), (9), or (10) of such subsection) or (b) of section 1992 of this title that results in the death of any person.
A violation of section 2113(e) of this title that results in death.
An offense punishable under section 2119(3) of this title.
An offense punishable under section 2245(a) of this title.
A violation of section 2251 of this title that results in the death of a person.
A violation of section 2280(a)(1) of this title that results in the death of any person.
A violation of section 2281(a)(1) of this title that results in the death of any person.
A violation of section 2282A(a) of this title that causes the death of any person.
A violation of section 2283(a) of this title that causes the death of any person.
An offense punishable under section 2291(d) of this title.
An offense punishable under section 2332(a)(1) of this title.
A violation of subsection (a) or (b) of section 2332a of this title that results in death.
An offense punishable under section 2332b(c)(1)(A) of this title.
A violation of section 2340A(a) of this title that results in the death of any person.
A violation of section 2381 of this title.
A violation of section 2441(a) of this title that results in the death of the victim.
A violation of section 408(e) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 848(e)).
An offense punishable under subsection (a)(2)(B) or (b)(1)(B) of section 46502 of title 49.
.
Clerical amendment
The table of sections for chapter 213 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 3281 and inserting the following:
.
Prohibition on imposition of death sentence
In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person may be sentenced to death or put to death on or after the date of enactment of this Act for any violation of Federal law.
Persons sentenced before date of enactment
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person sentenced to death before the date of enactment of this Act for any violation of Federal law shall be resentenced.