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United States · Bill · S

S. 1429 (99th)

Terrorist Prosecution Act of 1985

passedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

11 July 1985

Last action

25 June 1986 · Passed

Status

Senate incorporated this measure (as passed the Senate) in H.R. 4151 as an amendment.

Sponsors

Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA], Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY], Sen. Cohen, William S. [R-ME], Sen. Roth Jr., William V. [R-DE], Sen. Durenberger, Dave [R-MN], Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY], Sen. Hecht, Chic [R-NV], Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK], Sen. Andrews, Mark [R-ND], Sen. Boren, David L. [D-OK], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT], Sen. Denton, Jeremiah [R-AL], Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI], Sen. Hawkins, Paula [R-FL]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

10 August 2026

Official sourceView documentsShare

Summary

Terrorist Prosecution Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal criminal code to punish whoever in an act of international terrorism kills or attempts to kill any national of the United States. Requires any such person who is found guilty of murder in the first degree to be sentenced to imprisonment for life and anyone found guilty of attempted murder shall be imprisoned for not more than 20 years. Makes it an offense for any person in an act of international terrorism to assault, wound, strike, imprison, endanger, or make any other violent attack upon the person or liberty of any U.S. national in any foreign country (or make violent attack on his or her premises, private accommodation or means of transport). Provides for a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than three years. Increases the fine to $10,000 and/or imprisonment to ten years if a deadly or dangerous weapon is used. Grants the United States jurisdiction over the offense if the alleged offender is present in the United States, irrespective of the place where the offense was committed or the nationality of the victim or the alleged offender. Authorizes the Attorney General to receive assistance of any Federal, State, or local agency (including the military) in enforcing this provision.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 11 July 1985

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 11 July 1985

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 19 July 1985

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Security and Terrorism.

    Source: Committee

  4. 30 July 1985

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Security and Terrorism. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 99-430.

    Source: Committee

  5. 19 November 1985

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Security and Terrorism. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  6. 12 December 1985

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  7. 5 February 1986

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 507.

    Source: Calendars

  8. 5 February 1986

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  9. 5 February 1986

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  10. 19 February 1986

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

    Source: Floor

  11. 19 February 1986

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 92-0. Record Vote No: 17.

    Source: Floor

  12. 24 February 1986

    Introduced

    Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  13. 25 February 1986

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Crime.

    Source: Committee

  14. 25 June 1986

    Passed

    Senate incorporated this measure (as passed the Senate) in H.R. 4151 as an amendment.

    Source: Floor

Votes

· Official source

Yes 0 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

    Versions

    No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

    Documents

    3 official files

    Leesvertaling

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    • Passed Senate amended

      summary · EN · 19 February 1986

      Open at official source

    • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

      summary · EN · 5 February 1986

      Open at official source

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    • Introduced in Senate

      summary · EN · 11 July 1985

      Open at official source

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    Sponsors

    Related records

    Sources

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