Ideologically Motivated Violence Accountability Act

This bill adds a new aggravating factor that federal juries and judges may weigh when deciding whether to impose the death penalty in eligible federal cases. The factor applies when the defendant committed the offense intending to target a victim, wholly or in part, because of the victim's actual or perceived political or religious beliefs, affiliation, expression, or activity. It also applies when the defendant intended to promote, retaliate against, influence, protest, or make a public statement about any political or religious belief, group, ideology, event, or public figure. The bill directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to update its sentencing guidelines to match this change.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• John Kennedy Republican sponsor
• 0 cosponsors