S. 2135: Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2008

110th Congress · introduced 2007-10-03 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Became Public Law No: 110-340.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2007-10-03 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 569 (2008): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, S2135 (2008-09-08), Passed. See all
Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 110-340. (final step reached)
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2008

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 8, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2008- Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or 20-year prison term for knowingly recruiting, enlisting, or conscripting a person under 15 years of age into an armed force or group (other than a group assembled solely for nonviolent political association) or using such person to participate actively in combat hostilities, or attempting or conspiring to do so, knowing such person is under 15 years of age. Imposes a life sentence if the death of any person results from a violation of this Act. Provides for: (1) expanded jurisdiction for prosecuting U.S. nationals and resident aliens who violate this Act; and (2) a 10-year limitation period for prosecuting violations. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to render any alien who has recruited or used child soldiers inadmissible or deportable. Directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to promulgate final regulations to deny asylum or withholding of removal to aliens who are either inadmissible to the United States or deportable for recruiting or using child soldiers.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2008

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] · 9 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 2135, Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2007 (2007-11-27); CBO cost estimate: S. 2135, Child Soldiers Accountability Act of 2007 (2007-11-27)

Cosponsors on this site

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] reported raising $84,084 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

House roll call 569 (2008): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, S2135 (2008-09-08): Passed

Words on this page, explained (3)

Jurisdiction: The area or the matters a government or court has authority over.
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-110s2135.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/110/s>

Record fed-us-cong110-s2135 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110