H.R. 8678 – Zero Tolerance for Political Violence Act of 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated May 8, 2026 at 10:11 AM UTC

The Zero Tolerance for Political Violence Act of 2026 adds mandatory minimum prison terms for anyone who attempts to kill high‑level federal officials. It targets attempts against members of Congress, Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, the President, the Vice President, and designated presidential staff. The bill changes existing federal murder‑attempt statutes to require at least 25 years in prison, or life, for such attacks.

Key Provisions

Amends 18 U.S.C. §351(c) to impose a minimum sentence of 25 years or life for attempted assassination of a Member of Congress, a Cabinet member, or a Supreme Court justice.
Amends 18 U.S.C. §1751(c) to impose the same minimum sentence for attempted assassination of the President, Vice President, or designated presidential staff.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

May 7, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 7, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

May 7, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 7, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8678

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 7, 2026

Mr. Carter of Georgia introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to include mandatory minimum sentences for the attempted assassination of a Member of Congress, a member of the Cabinet, a justice of the Supreme Court, the President, the Vice President, or certain presidential staff, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Zero Tolerance for Political Violence Act of 2026.

2.

Mandatory minimum sentences for assassination attempts of certain Federal officials

(a)

Congressional, Cabinet, and Supreme Court assassination attempts

Section 351(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by striking Whoever attempts and inserting (1) Whoever attempts;

(2)

by striking kill or; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Whoever attempts to kill any individual designated in subsection (a) of this section shall be punished by imprisonment for any term of years not less than 25, or for life.

.

(b)

Presidential and Presidential staff assassination attempts

Section 1751(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by striking Whoever attempts and inserting (1) Whoever attempts ;

(2)

by striking kill or; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Whoever attempts to kill any individual designated in subsection (a) of this section shall be punished by imprisonment for any term of years not less than 25, or for life.

.