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Witness Protection and Interstate Relocation Act of 1997

Introduced: July 17, 1997 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 19 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 26, 1998
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Feb 25, 1998
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 25, 1998
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 366 - 49, 1 Present (Roll no. 21).
Feb 25, 1998
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Feb 25, 1998
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2181.
Feb 25, 1998
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
Feb 25, 1998
The Speaker designated the Honorable Vince Snowbarger to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Feb 25, 1998
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 366 and Rule XXIII.
Feb 25, 1998
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2181 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be read by title. Bill is open to amendments.
Feb 25, 1998
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 366. (consideration: CR H599-609)
Feb 25, 1998
Rule H. Res. 366 passed House.
Feb 24, 1998
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 366 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2181 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be read by title. Bill is open to amendments.
Sep 18, 1997
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 148.
Sep 18, 1997
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-258.
Jul 23, 1997
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 4.
Jul 23, 1997
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 23, 1997
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Held by the Subcommittee on Crime and Forwarded to Full Committee by Voice Vote Prior to Introduction (July 16, 97).
Jul 17, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 17, 1997
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Feb 25, 1998 House · vote #21 On Passage Passed 366–49 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

2 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 498 Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" An amendment to permit jurors, when considering the imposition the death penalty, to consider as a mitigating… Failed Feb 25, 1998
HAMDT 497 — An amendment to add a new section which provides that in further consideration of death sentence recommendati… Failed Feb 25, 1998
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Gang-Related Witness Intimidation and Retaliation

Title II: Witness Relocation and Safety

Witness Protection and Interstate Relocation Act of 1997 - Title I: Gang-Related Witness Intimidation and Retaliation - Amends the Federal criminal code to set penalties for traveling in interstate or foreign commerce with intent to engage in witness intimidation or obstruction of justice.

(Sec. 102) Subjects persons who conspire to obstruct justice involving victims, witnesses, and informants to the same penalties as those prescribed for carrying out such offense.

Title II: Witness Relocation and Safety - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) survey all State and selected local witness protection and relocation programs to determine and report to the Congress on the extent, nature, and training needs of such programs; and (2) make available training to assist State and local law enforcement agencies in developing and managing witness protection and relocation programs. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 202) Requires the Attorney General to: (1) engage in activities which promote coordination among State and local witness interstate relocation programs; and (2) establish a model Memorandum of Understanding for States and localities that engage in interstate witness relocation.

Authorizes the Attorney General to expend up to ten percent of the total amount appropriated for drug control and system improvement (Byrne program) grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to jurisdictions that have interstate witness relocation programs and that have substantially followed the model Memorandum of Understanding.

(Sec. 203) Authorizes the use of Byrne grant funds for developing and maintaining witness security and relocation programs.

What's happening now February 26, 1998

Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 747 Procedurally related Witness Relocation Notification Act of 1997
  • HRES 366 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2181) to ensure the safety of witnesses and to promote notification of th…
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Jul 17, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2181: Witness Protection and Interstate Relocation Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2181/
MLA
"H.R. 2181: Witness Protection and Interstate Relocation Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2181/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2181, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2181/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2181: Witness Protection and Interstate Relocation Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2181/)
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