January 5, 2026 – WASHINGTON — A controversial new proposal being floated in Congress could open the door for private American citizens to legally seize cartel ships and assets on the high seas, reviving a centuries-old constitutional power and sparking debate over enforcement and legality. A privateer is a private ship owner or seaman authorized by a government’s letter of marque during wartime to attack and capture enemy vessels for profit, blurring lines with piracy but operating legally under state sanction, sharing spoils with the government, and providing states with naval power...