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Biosecurity Smuggling Deterrence Act of 2026
To impose mandatory minimum sentences for conspiracy to smuggle biological agents into the United States and for making false statements to Federal agents in connection with such smuggling, and for other purposes.
Summary
- Imposes a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 20 years for conspiracy to smuggle biological agents or toxins into the United States.
- Imposes a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 5 years for making false statements to federal agents in connection with smuggling, importing, or obtaining federal authorization for biological agents or toxins.
- Imposes a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 20 years for smuggling or attempting to smuggle biological agents or toxins into the United States.
- Applies these mandatory minimum sentences to any offense committed on or after the date the law takes effect.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR] (R-AR)
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Tom Cotton’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
- NULL $80,461
- APOLLO MANAGEMENT $25,600
- APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT $19,800
- BRODIE GENERATIONAL CAPITAL PARTNERS $13,200
- APOLLO $11,600
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Tom Cotton → · Outside spending →
Actions (2)
- Jun 10, 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. · senate
- Jun 10, 2026 Introduced in Senate
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Full text
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 10, 2026
Mr. Cotton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To impose mandatory minimum sentences for conspiracy to smuggle biological agents into the United States and for making false statements to Federal agents in connection with such smuggling, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Biosecurity Smuggling Deterrence Act of 2026”.
SEC. 2. MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES INVOLVING BIOLOGICAL AGENTS.
(a) Conspiracy to Smuggle Biological Agents.—Section 371 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in the first undesignated paragraph, by striking “If two” and inserting the following:
“(a) In General.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, if two”;
(2) in the second undesignated paragraph, by striking “If, however,” and inserting the following:
“(b) Misdemeanor Offense.—If”; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
“(c) Mandatory Minimum for Biological Agent Smuggling.— Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other law, if the offense, the commission of which is the object of the conspiracy, involves the smuggling into the United States, or the attempted smuggling into the United States, of a biological agent or toxin (as defined in section 178), the persons convicted shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years.”.
(b) False Statements in Connection With Biological Agent Smuggling.—Section 1001 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(d) Mandatory Minimum for Statements Involving Biological Agents.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if the matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States to which the false statement, concealment, or false writing or document relates involves the smuggling, importation, declaration, permit application, or any other Federal authorization regarding a biological agent or toxin (as defined in section 178), the person convicted shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years.”.
(c) Smuggling of Biological Agents.—Section 545 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in the first undesignated paragraph, by inserting “(a) In General.—” before “Whoever knowingly and willfully”;
(2) in the third undesignated paragraph, by striking the period at the end of the sentence and inserting “, unless the offense involves the smuggling or attempted smuggling of biological agents under subsection (e).”;
(3) in the fourth undesignated paragraph—
(A) by inserting “(b) Evidence Sufficient for Conviction.—” before “Proof of defendant’s possession”; and
(B) by striking “the first or second paragraph of this section” and inserting “subsection (a)”;
(4) in the fifth undesignated paragraph, by inserting “(c) Forfeiture.—” before “Merchandise introduced”;
(5) in the sixth undesignated paragraph, by inserting “(d) Definition of United States.—” before “The term ‘United States”’; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
“(e) Mandatory Minimum for Biological Agent Smuggling.— Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other law, if the offense involves the smuggling into the United States, or the attempted smuggling into the United States, of a biological agent or toxin (as defined in section 178), the person convicted shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 20 years.”.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by this Act shall apply to any offense committed on or after the date of enactment of this Act. <all>
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