WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott reintroduced the Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act to prohibit any direct or indirect U.S. funding from going to the Gaza territory until it can be certified by the president that no American taxpayer dollars are used to benefit Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any other organizations recognized as foreign terrorist groups, and until all hostages in captivity are released. This bill also requires that any U.S. funds distributed through United Nations do not benefit entities that promote anti-Israel or antisemitic ideologies.

Senators Jim Banks, Ted Budd, Shelley Moore-Capito, Tom Cotton, and Ted Cruz are cosponsors.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Iran-backed Hamas terrorists are evil people who kill babies in cold blood, rape and murder young women, and kidnap and hold hostage Americans and Israelis, as they have for nearly 540 days now. Until Hamas is destroyed and out of Gaza for good, the United States cannot commit U.S. tax dollars to aid the region knowing these terrorists will use it to fuel its terror. With President Trump back in the White House, America’s commitment to defending Israel, combating terrorism, and ensuring tax dollars are spent in Americans’ best interests has never been stronger. We must pass my Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act to ensure that no American taxpayer dollars are ever used to support Hamas or any terrorist organization that threatens us or our ally, Israel.”

Senator Ted Budd said, “Hamas is a terrorist organization with American blood on its hands. Not one penny of hard-earned American taxpayer dollars should make its way to them, even indirectly. I want to thank Senator Scott for his leadership in introducing this legislation, and I am proud to stand alongside my colleagues to ensure that foreign assistance is no longer abused as a mechanism for Hamas to hold onto power.”

Senator Shelley Moore-Capito said, “American taxpayer dollars should not be supporting Hamas’s ability to resource attacks against Israeli civilians or its oppression of Gazans. The Stop Taxpayer Funding for Hamas Act ensures that U.S. aid is not diverted to entities like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, organizations that exist only to conduct brutal acts of violence. This legislation is a necessary step to uphold our national security, protect our allies, and ensure transparency and accountability in foreign assistance.”

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