Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-01) has introduced the Cybercrime Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025, H.R. 4988. The bill seeks to give Congress’s Article I authority to issue letters of marque and reprisal a new role in addressing foreign cybercriminal organizations that target Americans.
“Criminal syndicates backed by foreign governments are using cyberspace to prey on American seniors, steal intellectual property, and undermine national security,” said Rep. Schweikert. “Our current tools are failing to keep pace. This legislation allows us to effectively engage these criminals and bring accountability and restitution to the digital battlefield by leveraging the same constitutional mechanism that once helped secure our nation’s maritime interests.”
The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report found Americans filed over 859,000 complaints related to internet crime, with losses totaling $16 billion—a 33 percent increase from the previous year. Losses among Americans over age 60 reached nearly $5 billion. Many attacks originate from large-scale operations in countries such as Myanmar and North Korea, often linked to state actors targeting U.S. citizens and infrastructure.
Under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, Congress can issue letters of marque and reprisal—a power used during early American conflicts for maritime defense but not exercised since the War of 1812. An exception occurred during World War II when a Goodyear blimp was commissioned for anti-submarine patrols off California.
The proposed law would allow federal authorities to deputize licensed cyber operators who could recover stolen assets, prevent further attacks, and defend critical systems under government oversight.
“Americans deserve protection from digital predators who exploit outdated laws and hide in foreign jurisdictions,” Schweikert added. “This proposal harnesses innovation and constitutional authority to respond to the modern crisis of cybercrime.”
Schweikert recently secured re-election victories in both 2022 against Jevin Hodge (50.4%–49.6%) and in 2024 against Amish Shah (51.9%–48.1%).
