New federal bill would make robbing or damaging ATMs a specific crime
Passed one chamberS. 3798Latest action
Sponsor: Ted Cruz · Senator · TX
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Safe Access to Cash Act of 2026
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
The Safe Access to Cash Act of 2026 creates federal crimes for robbing, damaging, or attacking people at ATMs anywhere, not just at banks.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill creates new federal crimes for robbing, threatening, or using violence against people at ATMs, even when the machine is standalone rather than inside a bank. It also criminalizes breaking into, damaging, or stealing from ATMs, with penalties based on the amount taken, and sets tougher penalties for assault, killing, or kidnapping during these crimes. It also updates existing bank robbery law to cover conspiring to rob a bank.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects people who commit or attempt ATM-related crimes, ATM owners and operators like banks, credit unions, and independent ATM companies, armored car and cash-delivery workers, and everyday ATM users.
Why does it matter?
The bill gives law enforcement and prosecutors a clearer legal tool to charge ATM crimes at the federal level regardless of the machine's location, and increases potential criminal exposure for offenders.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedFeb 5, 2026
- Senate committee
- Senate vote
- HouseYou are here · Oct 5, 2026
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the Senate and now goes to the House. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Held at the desk.