Congress Escalates Security Showdown as Senate Installs Crime CPI and House Approves R$3 Billion Defense Carve-Out

Overview

• Senate leaders set up the CPI on organized crime today with Alessandro Vieira as rapporteur, and an opposition-leaning lineup moves to claim the chair, with Flávio Bolsonaro among the contenders.
• The Chamber approved a bill excluding R$3 billion in 2025 and up to R$5 billion a year from 2026–2031 for defense projects from fiscal limits, sending the measure to presidential sanction as economists warn about credibility risks.
• PT leaders proposed redirecting roughly R$3 billion from planned defense resources to fund the National Strategy Against Organized Crime, but the amendment was rejected by the House rapporteur for financial inadmissibility.
• The Planalto’s antifacção proposal creates a specific crime of qualified criminal faction, stiffens penalties and expands investigative tools, while the government lobbies to stall a CCJ vote on an opposition bill that would classify factions as terrorist groups.
• Rio governor Cláudio Castro is expected at Congress today to discuss the Security PEC, as the TSE begins hearing a case in which prosecutors seek to void his 2022 mandate for alleged abuse of economic power.