Today, U.S. Representatives Beth Van Duyne and Troy Nehls introduced the Stop FUNDERs Act. This proposed legislation aims to classify rioting, along with those who fund or organize such activities, as a crime under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. A companion bill has been presented in the Senate by Senator Ted Cruz.
“The standard of treating violent, extremist activists as individual criminals must end,” stated Congresswoman Van Duyne. She emphasized the need for law enforcement to have tools to address organized crime related to riots.
Senator Cruz remarked, “Every American has the right to freedom of speech and peaceful protest, but not to commit violence.” He stressed that his legislation would equip the Department of Justice with necessary tools for accountability.
Congressman Nehls expressed support for the bill, stating it would help dismantle criminal enterprises involved in civil unrest. “For too long, those who incite and orchestrate destructive riots have hidden behind the chaos they unleash,” he said.
The act seeks to amend 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1) by adding “rioting” as a racketeering offense. It also aims to provide RICO tools against organizations funding or coordinating violent interstate riots.
Rep. Van Duyne highlighted incidents like the July 4th assault on Prairieland Detention Center as evidence of organized rioting efforts.
The Stop FUNDERs Act intends to deter abuse of nonprofit status and reveal financial pipelines behind politically motivated violence.
