HR 4620119th CongressIn Committee

To amend title 18, United States Code, to include rioting in the definition of racketeering activity.

Introduced: Jul 22, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24] (R-Texas)

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill would change the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) by adding rioting (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2101) to the list of activities that qualify as racketeering activity. In practical terms, if a person or group engages in rioting as part of a pattern of racketeering, those acts could be prosecuted under RICO. The change is narrowly focused on expanding the set of predicate offenses that can trigger RICO charges. The bill was introduced in the House on July 22, 2025, by Ms. Van Duyne (joined by Mr. Nehls) and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Key Points

1The bill amends 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1) to insert 18 U.S.C. § 2101 (riots) into the list of offenses that constitute racketeering activity.
2Rioting, as defined in § 2101, becomes a predicate offense under RICO, meaning rioting can be part of a “pattern of racketeering activity” for federal prosecutions.
3This addition sits alongside other serious offenses already enumerated in § 1961(1), such as sections related to violent or sexually harmful crimes.
4The bill does not create a new riot offense; it expands the use of existing rioting provisions as a basis for federal RICO charges.
5Status: Introduced in the House on July 22, 2025, sponsored by Ms. Van Duyne (with Mr. Nehls) and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Individuals and organizations that engage in rioting as part of a broader pattern of criminal activity could be charged under RICO, potentially increasing federal enforcement and penalties.Secondary group/area affected: Law enforcement and prosecutors (who would apply RICO to rioting cases) and defense attorneys handling such cases.Additional impacts:- Potential expansion of federal jurisdiction over riot-related phenomena, including cases involving organized or repeated riot activity.- Possible civil RICO implications (treble damages) for lawsuits linked to rioting activity, depending on how courts interpret the pattern and related requirements.- Civil liberties and First Amendment considerations, as the broad use of RICO to cover riot activity could raise concerns about overreach or the treatment of protest-related conduct.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 8, 2025