Biosecurity Smuggling Deterrence Act of 2026

Tom Cotton

Republican · AR · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

2026-06-10

Source: Congress.gov

The proposal would require judges to impose minimum prison sentences for people convicted of plotting to illegally bring dangerous biological materials into the United States or lying to federal agents about such smuggling activities. This would affect anyone involved in bioterrorism conspiracies or cover-ups, removing judges' ability to sentence below the mandatory minimums even in unusual circumstances. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4729 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4729 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. _______________________________________________________________________ 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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