H.R. 8951 – Zero Tolerance for Fraudsters Act of 2026

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Updated June 2, 2026 at 9:21 AM UTC

The Zero Tolerance for Fraudsters Act of 2026 would add mandatory minimum prison terms for a range of federal fraud offenses. It sets minimum sentences based on the amount of money involved, affecting anyone convicted of those fraud statutes. The bill updates the U.S. Code to create new sections that spell out these minimums.

Key Provisions

Adds a new Section 1041 to Title 18, establishing mandatory minimums for offenses under sections 1001, 1002, 1003, 1010, 1012, 1031, 1035, and 1040 (various fraud and false‑statement crimes).
Adds a new Section 1353 to Title 18, establishing mandatory minimums for mail fraud and related offenses under sections 1341, 1343, 1345, and 1347.
For fraud involving $1 million to less than $5 million, the minimum sentence is one year and the maximum is ten years (plus a fine).
For fraud involving $5 million or more, the minimum sentence is five years and the maximum is twenty years (plus a fine), unless another provision already imposes a longer term.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

May 21, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 21, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

May 21, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 21, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8951

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 21, 2026

Mr. Calvert (for himself, Mr. Owens, and Mr. Hunt) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To establish mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for fraud offenses, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

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

2.

Mandatory minimums for fraud offenses

(a)

Fraud and false statements

(1)

In general

Chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

1041.

Mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, in the case of an offense under section 1001, 1002, 1003, 1010, 1012, 1031, 1035, or 1040, the punishment shall be—

(1)

if the offense involved an amount of $1,000,000 or more, but less than $5,000,000, a fine under this title, and imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than 10 years; or

(2)

if the offense involved an amount of $5,000,000 or more, a fine under this title, and imprisonment for not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years,

except in the case that the punishment under such section provides for a greater term of imprisonment.

.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code is amended by inserting after the item related to 1040 the following:

1041. Mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses.

.

(b)

Mail fraud and other fraud offenses

(1)

In general

Chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

1353.

Mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, in the case of an offense under section 1341, 1343, 1345, or 1347, the punishment shall be—

(1)

if the offense involved an amount of $1,000,000 or more, but less than $5,000,000, a fine under this title, and imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than 10 years; or

(2)

if the offense involved an amount of $5,000,000 or more, a fine under this title, and imprisonment for not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years,

except in the case that the punishment under such section provides for a greater term of imprisonment.

.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code is amended by inserting after the item related to 1352 the following:

1353. Mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses.

.