Patriots of the Caribbean: Lee Bill Authorizes American Privateers to Seize Cartel Assets with President’s Approval

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced legislation today that would allow private entities to stop drug cartel smuggling and violence. The Cartel Marque and Reprisal Reauthorization Act authorizes President Trump, as provided under the Constitution, to commission American operators under letters of marque to seize cartel property and persons on land or sea. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN) introduced the House version of the legislation.

"The Constitution provides for Letters of Marque and Reprisal as a tool against the enemies of the United States," said Senator Mike Lee. "Cartels have replaced corsairs in the modern era, but we can still give private American citizens and their businesses a stake in the fight against these murderous foreign criminals. The Cartel Marque and Reprisal Reauthorization Act will revive this historic practice to defend our shores and seize cartel assets."

"They push millions of dollars in fentanyl into our country with no regard for American lives," said Congressman Tim Burchett. "It's time to get creative about how we face these threats. These cartels present a serious risk to our national security, and this bill would authorize President Trump to commission Americans to help defend our homeland."

Background

Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the Constitution authorizes Congress to "grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal." Once a commonly used tool against piracy, letters of marque authorized private citizens to seize enemy vessels with their cargoes and crew. The Cartel Marque and Reprisal Reauthorization Act would give President Trump authority from Congress to allow private citizens and groups to join in defending the United States from cartels on land and sea.

The Cartel Marque and Reprisal Reauthorization Act:

• Authorizes and commissions the President of the United States to issue letters of marque and reprisal, according to the judgment of the President, to employ all reasonably necessary means to seize outside the geographic boundaries of the United States and its territories the person and property of any cartel or conspirator of a cartel or cartel-linked organization.

• Specifies that cartels or conspirators subject to letters of marque and reprisal must be responsible for an act of aggression against the United States.

• Requires the President to call for the posting of a security bond to ensure that the letter is executed according to its terms and conditions prior to issuing any letter of marque and reprisal.

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Read full text of the bill here.