Venue Named Under Exception Act

House Bill

H.R. 194

119th Congress

Venue Named Under Exception Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 3, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Keith Alan Self

Representative

Republican

TX-3

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary

The VENUE Act changes where criminal cases for offenses on federal property in the DC area are heard. Cases would be brought in the district of the offender last known residence rather than DC, unless residence is unknown.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The VENUE Act changes where criminal cases for offenses on federal property in the DC area are heard. Cases would be brought in the district of the offender last known residence rather than DC, unless residence is unknown.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Venue Named Under Exception Act or the VENUE ActThis bill changes the venue rules for cases involving criminal offenses on federal property in the National Capital Region. Venue refers to the court where it is proper for a case to proceed.Specifically, the bill requires certain cases involving criminal offenses committed on federal property in the National Capital Region (Washington, DC and specified regions of Maryland and Virginia) to be brought in the district of the last known residence of the offender (or of any one of two or more joint offenders). If the last residence of the offender is not known, then the case may be brought in DC.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Changes venue for federal property crimes in DC area
Cases brought in defendant home district
Covers National Capital Region including MD and VA
Falls back to DC only if residence unknown
Affects criminal prosecution logistics

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Defendants charged with crimes on DC federal property would face trial in their home districts rather than in Washington. This could significantly change where prosecutions occur for offenses at federal buildings and monuments.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Subjects

District of Columbia

Federal district courts

Jurisdiction and venue

Maryland

Virginia

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

194, 119th Congress (2025). "Venue Named Under Exception Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-194