WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Rick Scott, Joni Ernst and Cindy Hyde-Smith introduced the Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act after Biden’s State Department admitted the possibility that American taxpayer dollars could go to fund Hamas terrorists through Palestinian aid. This follows the State Department’s announcement this week of $110 million in new economic assistance to Palestinians. The Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act will ensure no American taxpayer dollars with be authorized to the territory of Gaza until the President certifies to Congress that these funds can be spent without benefitting terrorist organizations.

This new legislation follows Senator Scott’s resolution last week, cosponsored by more than 30 of his colleagues, to condemn the attacks against Israel by Hamas terrorists and reaffirm the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel and its right to take whatever means are necessary to stop the murder of its citizens and foreign nationals residing in Israel. This week, Senator Scott also joined Senator Cruz in a resolution approving two arms sales to Israel, and joined Senator Hawley and several of his colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning hatred and violence against our Jewish community.

Senator Rick Scott said, “For 11 days this month, we saw Hamas rockets rain down on our great ally Israel. Instead of coming together to stand for Israel and condemn these terrorists, we saw the Democrats turn their backs on Israel. Now, President Biden’s State Department is confused about how to prevent American taxpayer dollars from going to terrorists. This lack of accountability or concern is absolutely disgusting and I won’t allow it. That’s why I’m introducing the Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act today to make sure American taxpayer dollars never go to support Hamas terrorists. I will never stop fighting to stop the radical left’s anti-Israel and anti-Semitic agenda.”

Senator Joni Ernst said, “Hamas is a terrorist organization with a stated goal of the destruction of Israel—our decades long ally and democratic partner. As I’ve said, the United States must be clear in our unwavering commitment to our ally Israel and that includes ensuring not a dime of hardworking taxpayer dollars goes to Hamas.”

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith said, “Ensuring U.S. funding does not benefit terrorist organizations is in our national security interest and a duty to our allies. I have always been a strong supporter of the State of Israel, and remain committed to the relationship between our two nations. I am proud to join my Senate colleagues in sponsoring legislation, which takes a strong stand against terrorism, anti-Semitism, and anti-Israel propaganda.”

The Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act:

• Prohibits funds from being authorized for expenditure in the territory of Gaza until the president certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that U.S. funds can be expended without benefitting organizations and persons who are members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any other terrorist organization as identified by U.S. law, nor controlled or influenced by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any other terrorist organization as identified by U.S. law.
• Ensures U.S. funds are not authorized for expenditure in the territory of Gaza through any United Nations entity or office that the President cannot certify is not encouraging or teaching anti-Israel and anti-Semitic ideas and propaganda. 

###