UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION
Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts
AGENCY: United States Sentencing Commission.
ACTION: Notice of submission to Congress of amendments to the sentencing guidelines effective November 1, 2026.
SUMMARY: The United States Sentencing Commission hereby gives notice that the Commission has promulgated amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. This notice sets forth the text of the amendments and the reason for each amendment.
DATES: The Commission has specified an effective date of November 1, 2026, for the amendments set forth in this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Dukes, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, (202) 502-4597.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Sentencing Commission is an independent agency in the judicial branch of the United States Government. The Commission promulgates sentencing guidelines and policy statements for federal courts pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(a). The Commission also periodically reviews and revises previously promulgated guidelines pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(o) and submits guideline amendments to the Congress not later than the first day of May each year pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(p). Absent action of the Congress to the contrary, submitted amendments become effective by operation of law on the date specified by the Commission (generally November 1 of the year in which the amendments are submitted to Congress).
Pursuant to its authority under 28 U.S.C. 994(p), the Commission has promulgated amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. Notices of proposed amendments were published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2025 (see 90 FR 59660) and February 6, 2026 (see 91 FR 5556). The Commission held public hearings on the proposed amendments in Washington, D.C., on February 17, 2026, and March 9, 2026. On April 30, 2026, the Commission submitted the promulgated amendments to the Congress and specified an effective date of November 1, 2026.
The text of the amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary, and the reason for each amendment, is set forth below. Additional information pertaining to the amendments described in this notice may be accessed through the Commission’s website at www.ussc.gov.
AUTHORITY: 28 U.S.C. 994(a), (o), (p), and (u); USSC Rules of Practice and Procedure 2.2, 4.1, and 4.1A.
Carlton W. Reeves,
Chair