Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act
A bill to authorize the President of the United States to issue cyber letters of marque and reprisal, and for other purposes.
This bill, SB5000, proposes to give the President the power to issue special permits called "cyber letters of marque and reprisal." These permits would allow individuals or companies to take authorized actions in cyberspace to respond to cyber threats or attacks against the United States. Essentially, it would enable the President to authorize certain defensive actions in the digital space.
The bill would affect cybersecurity professionals, tech companies, and potentially any U.S. entity that might face cyber threats. It aims to provide a legal framework for taking proactive measures in cyberspace, which could help protect critical infrastructure and sensitive information from foreign adversaries.
As of July 15, 2026, the bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. This is the first step in the legislative process, and the committee will review and possibly make changes to the bill before it moves forward.
