Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
This bill amends 18 U.S.C. §201(a)(3) to clarify the statutory meaning of “official act” for bribery offenses. It defines an official act broadly to include any act within the range of official duty, decisions, recommendations, or actions on any question or matter, and states an official act can be a single act, multiple acts, or a course of conduct.
Breadth of definition: anti-corruption tool versus overbroad criminal exposure
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused substantive amendment that clearly specifies replacement statutory language to broaden the definition of "official act" in the federal bribery statute.
This bill amends 18 U.S.C. §201(a)(3) to clarify the statutory meaning of “official act” for bribery offenses.
It defines an official act broadly to include any act within the range of official duty, decisions, recommendations, or actions on any question or matter, and states an official act can be a single act, multiple acts, or a course of conduct.
The amendment also specifies liability may attach whether or not the act achieved the desired outcome.
Legislative modesty and anti‑corruption framing help, but constitutional vagueness worries and Senate procedural barriers lower prospects.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused substantive amendment that clearly specifies replacement statutory language to broaden the definition of "official act" in the federal bribery statute. The text is precise about the amendment itself but leaves several implementation-related and contextual details unaddressed.
Breadth of definition: anti-corruption tool versus overbroad criminal exposure
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Breadth of definition: anti-corruption tool versus overbroad criminal exposure
Likely supportive: views the change as closing prosecutorial loopholes that have limited bribery convictions.
Sees it as strengthening accountability and public trust.
May request complementary measures to ensure enforcement and protections for complainants.
Generally favorable but cautious.
Appreciates clarifying bribery law to reduce litigation uncertainty while worrying about vagueness and unintended criminalization.
Would favor amendments adding mens rea clarity and narrow safe harbors for routine government functions.
Likely opposed.
Views the amendment as an expansive, vague federal power increase that risks criminalizing normal official interactions and political activity.
Concerned about chilling effect on constituent services, lobbying, and discretionary decision-making.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Legislative modesty and anti‑corruption framing help, but constitutional vagueness worries and Senate procedural barriers lower prospects.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Breadth of definition: anti-corruption tool versus overbroad criminal exposure
Legislative modesty and anti‑corruption framing help, but constitutional vagueness worries and Senate procedural barriers lower prospects.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused substantive amendment that clearly specifies replacement statutory language to broaden the definition of "official act" in the federal bribery statute. T…
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