Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and a group of Republican senators have introduced the Stop Financial Underwriting of Nefarious Demonstrations and Extremist Riots (Stop FUNDERs) Act, designed to hold individuals and organizations accountable for funding violent riots and property destruction. The bill aims to enhance the Department of Justice’s authority to prosecute those who organize or finance interstate riots through expanded legal tools.

The proposed legislation would amend 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1) by adding “rioting,” as defined under the Anti-Riot Act, to the list of predicate offenses covered by the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. This addition would allow federal prosecutors to pursue conspiracy charges, joint liability, group prosecutions, asset forfeiture, and tougher criminal penalties against those involved in orchestrating or funding violent unrest.

Cruz emphasized the distinction between constitutionally protected peaceful protest and violent riots, warning that organized, well-funded demonstrations can jeopardize national stability. “Domestic NGOs and foreign adversaries fund and use riots in the United States to undermine the security and prosperity of Americans,” he said. The Texas senator and his Republican colleagues have long suspected that some left-leaning groups are financing and promoting extremist violence under the guise of activism.

So far, only Republican senators have signed on as co-sponsors, including Sens. John Cornyn (TX), Tommy Tuberville (AL), Bill Hagerty (TN), Thom Tillis (NC), Mike Lee (UT), and Josh Hawley (MO). In the House, Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) has introduced similar legislation.

Sen. Cornyn underscored the bill’s focus on targeting violent agitators, stating, “Radical, left-wing groups who fund acts of violence… must be stopped.” He insisted that the legislation would help combat lawlessness without infringing on Americans’ First Amendment rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.