A bill to redefine extortion for purposes of the Hobbs Act.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 21, 1993

Amends the Hobbs Act to redefine the term "extortion" to mean obtaining the property of another: (1) by threatening or placing another person in fear that any person will be subjected to bodily injury or kidnapping or that property will be damaged; or (2) under color of official right. States that the coincidence of a labor dispute and an act of bodily injury to a person (or damage to property) does not constitute prima facie evidence that property was obtained by extortion.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC] · R–SC

Committees

Judiciary Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 21, 1993
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 21, 1993
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S473-474)
Jan 21, 1993
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 21, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.56 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.56, 103rd Congress: A bill to redefine extortion for purposes of the Hobbs Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/56

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s56/BILLS-103s56is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.56 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.56 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.56, 103rd Congress: A bill to redefine extortion for purposes of the Hobbs Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/56

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s56/BILLS-103s56is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.56 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.56 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.56, 103rd Congress: A bill to redefine extortion for purposes of the Hobbs Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/56

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s56/BILLS-103s56is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.56 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.56 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.56, 103rd Congress: A bill to redefine extortion for purposes of the Hobbs Act.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/56

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s56/BILLS-103s56is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:53:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.56 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.