Federal

Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act

Source: Congress.gov · 384 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill stops the United States government from spending money in Gaza until the President proves that the money won't help terrorists. The President must certify (officially confirm) to Congress that American funds won't benefit Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or other groups the Secretary of State has labeled as foreign terrorist organizations (groups outside the US that use violence for political goals).

Who It Affects

The President and executive branch agencies that manage federal funds. Congress members on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Any organizations or people in Gaza that receive or handle United States government money.

Key Provisions

* The President must certify to Congress before any federal money can be spent in Gaza, confirming the funds won't help anyone who is a member of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any other organization the Secretary of State designates as a foreign terrorist organization. (Sec. 2(a)(1)) * The President must certify that federal funds won't go to any person or organization controlled or influenced by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or similar foreign terrorist organizations. (Sec. 2(a)(2)) * No United States government funds can be spent through United Nations entities or offices in Gaza unless the President certifies those entities are not promoting anti-Israel or anti-Semitic ideas or propaganda. (Sec. 2(b))

What Changes

United States government agencies cannot spend any federal money in Gaza without first getting presidential certification that the funds won't help terrorists. Any spending through United Nations organizations in Gaza requires additional presidential certification about anti-Israel and anti-Semitic content.

Important Definitions

Foreign terrorist organization: A group outside the United States designated by the Secretary of State under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

II 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. 489 To prohibit any direct or indirect United States funding for the territory of Gaza unless certain conditions are met. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FEBRUARY 16, 2023 Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself, Mrs. HYDE-SMITH, and Mr. BRAUN) intro- duced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Com- mittee on Foreign Relations A BILL To prohibit any direct or indirect United States funding for the territory of Gaza unless certain conditions are met. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Stop Taxpayer Fund- 4 ing of Hamas Act’’. 5 SEC. 2. RESTRICTION ON THE EXPENDITURE FOR FEDERAL 6 FUNDS IN GAZA. 7 (a) IN GENERAL.—No United States Government 8 funds may be obligated or expended in the territory of 9 Gaza until after the President certifies to the Committee 10 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:50 Mar 07, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S489.IS S489 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS 2 •S 489 IS on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee 1 on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that 2 such funds can be expended without benefitting any orga- 3 nization or persons that is— 4 (1) a member of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic 5 Jihad, or any other organization designated by the 6 Secretary of State as a foreign terrorist organization 7 under section 219 of the Immigration and Nation- 8 ality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189); or 9 (2) controlled or influenced by Hamas, Pales- 10 tinian Islamic Jihad, or any such foreign terrorist 11 organization. 12 (b) UNITED NATIONS ENTITIES.—No United States 13 Government funds may be obligated or expended in the 14 territory of Gaza through any United Nations entity or 15 office unless the President certifies to the congressional 16 committees referred to in subsection (a) that such entity 17 or office is not encouraging or teaching anti-Israel or anti- 18 Semitic ideas or propaganda. 19 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:24 Mar 04, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\S489.IS S489 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with BILLS

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