Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2021

To amend section 1951 of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the Hobbs Act), and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2021 2. Interference with commerce by threats or violence Section 1951 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 1951. Interference with commerce by threats or violence (a) Prohibition Except as provided in subsection (c), whoever in any way or degree obstructs, delays, or affects commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce, by robbery or extortion, or attempts or conspires so to do, or commits or threatens physical violence to any person or property in furtherance of a plan or purpose to do anything in violation of this section, shall be fined not more than $100,000, imprisoned for a term of not more than 20 years, or both. (b) Definitions For purposes of this section— (1) the term commerce (A) commerce within the District of Columbia, or any territory or possession of the United States; (B) commerce between any point in a State, territory, possession, or the District of Columbia and any point outside thereof; (C) commerce between points within the same State through any place outside that State; and (D) other commerce over which the United States has jurisdiction; (2) the term extortion (A) by actual or threatened use of force or violence, or fear thereof; (B) by wrongful use of fear not involving force or violence; or (C) under color of official right; (3) the term labor dispute 29 U.S.C. 152(9) (4) the term robbery (A) to his or her person or property, or property in his or her custody or possession; or (B) to the person or property of a relative or member of his or her family, or of anyone in his or her company at the time of the taking or obtaining. (c) Exempted conduct (1) In general Subsection (a) does not apply to any conduct that— (A) is incidental to otherwise peaceful picketing during the course of a labor dispute; (B) consists solely of minor bodily injury, or minor damage to property, or threat or fear of such minor injury or damage; and (C) is not part of a pattern of violent conduct or of coordinated violent activity. (2) State and local jurisdiction Any violation of this section that involves any conduct described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to prosecution only by the appropriate State and local authorities. (d) Effect on other law Nothing in this section shall be construed— (1) to repeal, amend, or otherwise affect— (A) section 6 of the Clayton Act 15 U.S.C. 17 (B) section 20 of the Clayton Act 29 U.S.C. 52 (C) any provision of the Norris-LaGuardia Act ( 29 U.S.C. 101 et seq. (D) any provision of the National Labor Relations Act ( 29 U.S.C. 151 et seq. (E) any provision of the Railway Labor Act ( 45 U.S.C. 151 et seq. (2) to preclude Federal jurisdiction over any violation of this section, on the basis that the conduct at issue— (A) is also a violation of State or local law; or (B) occurred during the course of a labor dispute or in pursuit of a legitimate business or labor objective. .

Summary: Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2021 This bill revises the federal criminal statute commonly known as the Hobbs Act, which prohibits the obstruction of interstate commerce by robbery or extortion (or by attempting or conspiring to commit robbery or extortion). Currently, an extortion offense includes obtaining property of another with consent through the wrongful use of force, violence, or fear. Typically, violations are investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office. First, this bill broadens the scope of prohibited conduct by (1) eliminating the requirement that the means used to obtain property (i.e., the use of force, violence, or fear) must be wrongful, and (2) expanding extortion to include obtaining property of another by wrongful use of fear not involving force or violence. Second, the bill explicitly states that the maximum fine is $100,000. Third, the bill exempts from the federal prohibition conduct that (1) is incidental to peaceful picketing during a labor dispute, (2) consists solely of minor bodily injury or damage to property, and (3) is not part of a pattern of violent conduct or of a coordinated violent activity. A violation involving exempted conduct is subject to prosecution only by state and local authorities.