Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025

Senate Bill

S. 150

119th Congress

Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 17, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Mark Kelly

Senator

Democratic

AZ

Cosponsors

3

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary

This bill requires DHS, Justice, and State to jointly develop and implement a strategy to combat transnational criminal organizations using social media to recruit Americans for illegal activities. The effort targets cartel recruitment through platforms and messaging services for crimes in the U.S., Mexico, and near U.S. borders. Agencies must assess current threats and coordinate response.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires DHS, Justice, and State to jointly develop and implement a strategy to combat transnational criminal organizations using social media to recruit Americans for illegal activities. The effort targets cartel recruitment through platforms and messaging services for crimes in the U.S., Mexico, and near U.S. borders. Agencies must assess current threats and coordinate response.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025This bill requires the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State to combat the use of social media by transnational criminal organizations to recruit individuals in the United States for illicit activities. Specifically, the departments must jointly assess and implement a strategy to combat the use of social media platforms, messaging services, and other interactive digital platforms by these organizations to recruit individuals to engage in or support unlawful activities in the United States, Mexico, or otherwise near a U.S. international border.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires joint agency strategy on cartel social media recruitment
Targets DHS, Justice, and State Department coordination
Addresses recruitment for U.S. and cross-border crimes
Covers social media platforms and messaging services
Focuses on transnational criminal organizations

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Cartels increasingly use social media to recruit Americans, particularly young people, for drug smuggling and other illegal activities. This bill mandates a coordinated federal response to an evolving threat. The interagency approach recognizes that effective response requires law enforcement, diplomatic, and homeland security coordination. Platforms may face pressure to assist in identifying recruitment content.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Subjects

Computer security and identity theft

Congressional oversight

Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Firearms and explosives

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Human trafficking

Intellectual property

Intergovernmental relations

Internet, web applications, social media

Organized crime

+2 more

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

150, 119th Congress (2025). "Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-150