July 23, 2026
Mr. Schiff introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To amend title 18, United States Code, to clarify certain conduct that is prohibited for purposes of bribery of public officials and witnesses, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Closing Bribery Loopholes Act
.
Sec. 2. Clarification of definition of official Act
Section 201(a)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
(3)
(A)
the term official act means any act within the range of official duty, and any decision, recommendation, or action on any question, matter, cause, suit, proceeding, or controversy, which may at any time be pending, or which may by law be brought before any public official, in such public official’s official capacity or in such official’s place of trust or profit, including any pardon, commutation, or reprieve, or an offer of any such pardon, commutation, or reprieve; and
(B)
for purposes of subparagraph (A), an official act—
(i)
may be comprised of a single act, more than one act, or a course of conduct to effect the official act; and
(ii)
may occur whether or not it successfully achieves a desired outcome.