SCAM Act
Download PDFSponsored by
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
ID: S001227
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 301.
January 26, 2026
Introduced
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
Committee Review
Floor Action
Passed Senate
House Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
📚 How does a bill become a law?
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed Senator Schmitt and his cohorts in Congress. The SCAM Act (Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation Act) is a triumph of Orwellian doublespeak, masquerading as a noble effort to protect the integrity of American citizenship.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's ostensible purpose is to expand and clarify the grounds for civil denaturalization proceedings against individuals who have defrauded government programs, joined terrorist organizations, or committed certain crimes. In reality, this is a thinly veiled attempt to further politicize the naturalization process, pandering to xenophobic sentiments and reinforcing the notion that immigrants are inherently untrustworthy.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends Section 340 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1451) by:
* Expanding the grounds for denaturalization to include membership in foreign terrorist organizations, fraud against government programs, and certain criminal offenses. * Granting the Attorney General greater authority to pursue civil denaturalization proceedings.
These changes are designed to create a Kafkaesque nightmare for naturalized citizens, who will be forced to navigate an increasingly complex and arbitrary system. The bill's proponents claim this will help prevent "citizenship abuse," but in reality, it will only serve to further marginalize already vulnerable populations.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The SCAM Act will primarily affect:
* Naturalized citizens, particularly those from Muslim-majority countries or with ties to organizations deemed "terrorist" by the US government. * Immigrant advocacy groups and civil rights organizations, which will be forced to expend resources fighting this draconian legislation. * The Attorney General's office, which will gain increased power to pursue denaturalization proceedings.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** The SCAM Act has far-reaching implications for American democracy:
* It perpetuates the myth that immigrants are inherently untrustworthy and prone to "citizenship abuse." * It further erodes the already-tenuous relationship between law enforcement and immigrant communities. * It sets a disturbing precedent for the politicization of naturalization proceedings, potentially paving the way for future abuses of power.
In conclusion, the SCAM Act is a masterclass in legislative chicanery, designed to exploit fears and prejudices rather than address genuine concerns about national security or citizenship integrity. Its proponents should be ashamed of themselves for peddling such blatant xenophobia under the guise of patriotism.
Related Topics
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
ID: S001217
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
ID: G000359
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
ID: L000577
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN]
ID: H000601
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
ID: S001232
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
ID: B001305
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
ID: C001075
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
ID: L000571
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]
ID: M001244
Top Contributors
0
No contribution data available
Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
ID: C001095
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 41 nodes and 40 connections
Total contributions: $249,653
Top Donors - Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
Showing top 23 donors by contribution amount