PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 22, 2021
Blocking Rioters and Insurrectionists from our Cities to Keep us Safe Act of 2021 or the BRICKS Act of 2021
This bill increases criminal penalties for rioting and related offenses (e.g., inciting a riot).
First, the bill increases from 5 to 10 years the statutory maximum prison term for a rioting offense.
Second, it establishes higher statutory maximum penalties for rioting offenses that involve certain aggravating characteristics. Specifically, it provides
a prison term of up to 25 years for a rioting offense that results in serious bodily injury or includes a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire; and
a prison term of any years or for life for a rioting offense that results in death or includes kidnapping, attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse, attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or attempt to kill.
People & committees
Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR] · R–AR
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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