The US House of Representatives approved a bill to sanction foreign supporters of the Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist movements on Wednesday night.
The bill, titled the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act, passed 363-46. Some 45 Democrats and one Republican voted in opposition of the bill. First introduced in the House in January, it will now head to the Senate.
The bill would require the president to periodically report to Congress a list of each foreign person who knowingly provides “significant support or services” to a senior member or supporter of Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Any such person must have two or more sanctions imposed on them.
The president would also be required to provide Congress with a list of any foreign governments that have repeatedly provided material support for the terrorist groups’ activities. These governments will be barred from receiving US assistance or the exports of controlled munitions for one year. International financial institutions will also be instructed to oppose providing assistance to these governments for a year.
The bill provides for certain exceptions and waivers.
The House just overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill to sanction supporters of Hamas, following the terrorist group’s brutal terrorist assault against Israelis on Oct. 7.The Hamas and Other Palestinian Terrorist Groups International Financing Prevention Act targets foreign… pic.twitter.com/ShNeOuSOdw
— AIPAC | Text ISRAEL to 24722 | #StandWithIsrael (@AIPAC) November 1, 2023
AIPAC welcomed the passing of the bill, thanking Rep. Brian Mast (R-Florida, 21st District) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey, 5th District) for leading the effort to pass the bill.
Resolution to censure Rashida Tlaib tabled
The House additionally voted 222-186 to table a resolution that would have censured Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan, 12th District) for her support of Hamas.
