HONEST Act of 2026
Latest action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (2026-06-30)
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What this bill does
The HONEST Act of 2026 would amend federal criminal law to create much harsher penalties when the person committing certain sex offenses is a federal officer or a Member of Congress, including allowing the death penalty or life imprisonment for crimes such as sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and child exploitation. It would also create a new federal crime of adultery that applies specifically to federal officers and Members of Congress, punishable by up to one year in prison.
Who it affects
It would most directly affect officers of the United States and Members of Congress, who would face elevated criminal penalties for these offenses and a new adultery offense that does not apply to the general public.
Key points
- Adds enhanced penalties—including death or life imprisonment—for a range of existing federal sex offenses when committed by a U.S. officer or Member of Congress.
- Covers offenses such as female genital mutilation, civil rights sexual misconduct, sex trafficking, aggravated sexual abuse, abuse of minors or those in custody, and child exploitation and pornography.
- Creates a brand-new federal crime of adultery that applies only to U.S. officers and Members of Congress, with a penalty of up to one year in prison.
- The adultery provision requires the conduct to be 'in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce' and applies when either party is married to someone else.
- The bill is currently in committee and has not become law.
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1 · Your position
If you support this
Supporting the bill means backing tougher criminal penalties (up to the death penalty) for federal officials who commit certain sex offenses and creating a new adultery crime that applies only to federal officers and Members of Congress.
If you oppose this
Opposing the bill means keeping the current penalties for these offenses the same for federal officials as for everyone else and not creating a special federal adultery crime for officers and Members of Congress.
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