United States · Bill · S
S. 1280 (99th)
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to create a new Federal criminal offense of treasonous espionage--the unauthorized disclosure of classified information relating to national defense for profit, and to provide for the penalty of death by firing squad for such offense.
Introduced
12 June 1985
Last action
—
Status
Committee on Judiciary. Concurrently referred to the Subcommittee on Security and Terrorism.
Sponsors
—
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
10 August 2026
Summary
Amends the Federal criminal code to make it a criminal offense for the unauthorized disclosure of classified secret information for profit to any foreign government (or faction therein) with the intent to injure the United States or for the advantage of a foreign nation. Authorizes the death penalty if such disclosure severely jeopardizes the national security of the United States. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury or the court (upon motion by the defendant) when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to such offense, except when the Government stipulates that one or more mitigating factors exist. Requires the jury or the court (if there is no jury) to find that one or more specified mitigating factors exist. States that if such a factor exists the court shall not sentence the defendant to death. Declares that if the death penalty is imposed such sentence shall be carried out by a firing squad. Requires the Attorney General to make a live video and audio coverage of any execution available to the public.
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Votes
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Versions
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Documents
1 official file
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 12 June 1985
Sponsors
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Related records
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Sources
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- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/99th-congress/senate-bill/1280
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/99/s/1280