March 5, 2026
Mr. Whitehouse (for himself and Mr. Blumenthal) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To authorize the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces to combat transnational organized crime and to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics in the United States by using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to enforcement, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Protect Law Enforcement Task Forces Act
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
Established in 1982, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces has been the centerpiece of the strategy of the Attorney General to combat transnational organized crime and to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics in the United States by using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to enforcement through concentrated, coordinated, long-term enterprise investigations of transnational organized crime, money laundering, and major drug trafficking networks.
(2)
OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the United States with its own executive office and is accountable for over 500 Federal prosecutors, 1,200 Federal agents, and some 5,000 State and local police. The program has 9 regions and 19 strike forces around the United States to coordinate investigations and prosecutions by bringing together Federal, State, and local law enforcement for multi-jurisdictional operations, while the OCDETF Fusion Center leads on intelligence sharing.
(3)
OCDETF implements a nationwide strategy combining priority targeting, coordination, intelligence sharing, and directed resourcing to have the greatest impact disrupting and dismantling command and control elements of criminal organizations.
(4)
OCDETF has one of the best returns on investment in Federal law enforcement, as demonstrated by the following:
(A)
In fiscal year 2022, OCDETF brought in $524,000,000 in cash and property seizures and forfeitures.
(B)
In fiscal year 2023, OCDETF brought in $423,000,000, almost offsetting its funding.
(5)
Since the inception of OCDETF, tens of thousands of arrests have been made, and hundreds of tons of narcotics and billions in currency, real property, and conveyances have all been seized proving how, in its current structure, OCDETF is a legitimate and effective initiative that has successfully lowered crime in cities across the United States.
Sec. 3. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Covered agency
The term covered agency means—
(A)
the Department of the Treasury;
(B)
the Department of Homeland Security;
(C)
the United States Postal Service;
(D)
the Department of Labor; and
(E)
the Department of State.
(2) OCDETF
The term OCDETF means the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces established by and under the direction of the Attorney General and announced on October 14, 1982, in the Remarks Announcing Federal Initiatives Against Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime.
(3) OFC
The term OFC means the OCDETF Fusion Center.
(4) Task Forces
The term Task Forces means the interagency task force established under section 4.
Sec. 4. Interagency task force
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the OCDETF, and in coordination with other agencies of the Department of Justice, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, and covered agencies shall structure the OCDETF to combat transnational organized crime and to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics in the United States by using a prosecutor-led, multi-agency approach to enforcement.
(b) Report
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the OCDETF, in conjunction with the head of each covered agency, shall submit a joint report on the successes of the Task Forces to—
(A)
the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
(B)
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
(C)
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(D)
the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives;
(E)
the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; and
(F)
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(2) Classification and public release
The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall be—
(A)
submitted in unclassified form, to the greatest extent possible, with a classified annex only if necessary; and
(B)
in the case of the unclassified portion of the report, posted on the public website of the Department of Justice and each covered agency included in the Task Forces.
Sec. 5. Sunset
This Act shall have no force or effect after January 20, 2029.