An Iranian demonstrator holds an anti-American sign. (Getty Images)
"If you commit crimes in America on behalf of foreign adversaries, you must face serious consequences," Slotkin said in a statement.
"The bipartisan DETERRENCE Act helps strengthen penalties for these crimes and sends a clear message about how seriously we take our national security and how we will hold accountable those who commit crimes against our nation."
In March, two foreigners appeared in New York federal court and pleaded not guilty to an alleged murder-for-hire plot against Masih Alinejad – an Iranian-born U.S. journalist.
Rafat Amirov of Iran and Polad Omarov of the Czech Republic and Slovenia were members of the Russian mob and were hired by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to kill the New York City resident, according to prosecutors.
"Finally, I will face the men hired by the Islamic Republic to kill me, right here in New York," Alinejad said at the time.
IRANIAN-AMERICAN JOURNALIST TESTIFIES AGAINST MEN ACCUSED OF MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT
Sen. Elissa Slotkin. (Reuters)
"I’m deeply grateful to my new country, the United States of America, for trying to keep me safe from the government of my birth country, Iran."
Ernst said the U.S. cannot allow foreign adversaries like Iran to "fund crimes against Americans on our own soil."
She called the DETERRENCE Act an example of Reagan-esque "peace through strength" that puts foreign criminals "on notice" and is a direct warning to anyone trying to act on Tehran’s motto of "Death to America."
Meanwhile, Hassan said in a statement that Congress should pass the legislation as a clear message to foreign adversaries that they will face serious consequences if their criminal behavior crosses the U.S. border.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"Foreign adversaries are working with gangs and criminals in the United States to try to kill people on our soil, which is a national security risk," she warned.
Another reported foreign murder-for-hire plot was revealed last fall when an ex-Indian intelligence officer allegedly plotted to kill a U.S. citizen in New York who was a leader of a pro-Sikh independence movement.
Vikash Yadav’s October indictment reportedly laid out a connection to the Indian government, according to NPR.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bipartisan-senators-push-tougher-penalties-foreign-backed-crimes-us-soil