Budd, Shaheen Lead Bipartisan Bill to Protect the Identity of Special Operations Forces Executing Dangerous U.S. Military Operations
Reps. Hudson & Harrigan will lead effort in House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Special Operator Protection Act today, to protect the identity of Special Operations Forces (SOF), federal law enforcement officers attached to SOF, and other Department of Defense (DOD) personnel who conduct highly sensitive DOD missions, by creating a criminal penalty for doxing their personally identifiable information. U.S. Representatives Richard Hudson (R-N.C.-09) and Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.-10) introduced the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“As recent events underscore, our SOF operators put themselves in extreme danger in service to our nation. These heroes should not fear for their personal safety or their families’ security after they return home from sensitive missions. There is no compelling reason for their identities to be made public, especially given the significant risks from foreign threats. I’m proud to work with Senator Shaheen as well as Representatives Hudson and Harrigan to introduce the Special Operator Protection Act to set reasonable criminal penalties for doxing America’s most elite servicemembers, and to protect them and their loved ones from harassment and harm at home,” said Senator Budd.
“Special operators lead our military’s highest-risk missions. With an increasingly complex array of global threats, they should be protected from foreign adversaries who seek to harm them. This bipartisan bill would help shield those who put their lives on the line to advance America’s national security,” said Senator Shaheen.
“As Fort Bragg’s congressman, I know our Special Operations Forces take on the most dangerous missions in defense of this country, and they shouldn’t have to worry about their own or their families’ safety when they return home. The Special Operator Protection Act closes a clear gap in the law and makes one thing clear: if you recklessly expose our nation’s heroes, there will be consequences,” said Representative Hudson.
“I served as a Special Operations servicemember, and I don’t care what your politics are, or whether you agreed with the Venezuela operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro or not. When someone puts the name or image of a Special Operator out in public, that follows them home. It follows their family. It creates real risk long after the mission is over. I’ve lived that reality, and I’ve seen what exposure like that can do. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the Special Operator Protection Act in the House. It closes a real hole in the law and makes sure our Special Operations Forces aren’t left exposed after carrying out some of the most dangerous missions this country asks anyone to do,” said Representative Harrigan.
Read the full bill text HERE.
BACKGROUND
Following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores by U.S. SOF operators in Venezuela earlier this month, there were attempts to publicly identify special operators and tie them to the mission, putting their safety and that of their families at risk.
The Special Operator Protection Act would:
Establish criminal penalties for doxing Special Operators, other DOD personnel that conduct sensitive DOD missions, and federal law enforcement officers that support SOF, as well as their immediate family members.
Prohibits the public release of personally identifiable information, including the individual’s name in connection with one’s place of employment, one’s face or likeness in connection with one’s name and place of employment, and visual representation of a residence in connection with one’s name and place of employment, birth date, Social Security number, home phone number, mobile phone number, personal email, home fax number, and biometric data.
Imposes enhanced penalties where the release of this personally identifiable information results in death or serious bodily injury.
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