PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1710
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-10T07:23:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The bill, titled the "PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025," aims to hold the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) accountable for their system of payments to terrorists and their families. This system is described as one that encourages and rewards acts of terrorism. The legislation seeks to impose economic and travel sanctions to pressure the PLO and PA to end these payments.
Key Provisions
- Findings and Policy Statement: The bill outlines congressional findings, including details on the PLO and PA's annual payments (hundreds of millions of dollars) to terrorists and their families, links to groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad (designated as foreign terrorist organizations), and the failure to comply with the 2018 Taylor Force Act. It references the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas as context. The U.S. policy is to impose sanctions to deter such compensation.
- Definitions: Key terms include:
- "Act of terrorism": Violent acts intended to intimidate or coerce, as defined under U.S. criminal and immigration laws.
- "System of compensation": Refers to PLO/PA payments, salaries, and benefits to individuals involved in terrorism, as specified in the Taylor Force Act.
- "Foreign person": Any non-U.S. individual or entity.
- Other terms like "knowingly" (actual or should-have-known awareness) and "United States person" (U.S. citizens, residents, or entities).
- Sanctions on Foreign Persons Supporting Terrorism (Section 4):
- The President must impose sanctions within 90 days of enactment (and ongoing) on:
- Officials or employees of the PLO/PA who direct, authorize, or facilitate the compensation system.
- Entities like the Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners or similar groups that operate the system.
- Anyone providing significant financial, technological, or material support (e.g., resources like money or equipment) to those involved.
- Sanctions include:
- Blocking all U.S.-related property and transactions (using powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, which allows the President to control economic dealings during national emergencies).
- Making individuals ineligible for U.S. visas, entry, or immigration benefits; revoking existing visas immediately.
- The President must respond to congressional requests for sanctions determinations within 30 days and issue implementation regulations within 60 days.
- Sanctions on Financial Institutions (Section 5):
- Targets foreign banks or financial entities that process or facilitate payments under the compensation system or significant transactions with sanctioned persons.
- Penalties: Prohibit opening U.S. correspondent or payable-through accounts (bank accounts used to handle international transfers); impose strict conditions on existing ones.
- Termination (Section 6): Sanctions end if the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that the PLO/PA compensation system has fully stopped.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Builds on the Taylor Force Act (2018), which restricted U.S. aid to the PA unless it ends the compensation system, by introducing direct sanctions on individuals, entities, and financial facilitators rather than just aid cuts.
- Expands executive authority under IEEPA and immigration laws to target a broader range of supporters, including indirect enablers, without needing new emergency declarations.
- Adds mandatory timelines (e.g., 90 days for initial sanctions) and congressional oversight (e.g., reports on determinations), which were not as prescriptive in prior laws.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The President, State Department, and Treasury must implement sanctions, conduct investigations, and issue regulations, increasing administrative workload. Congressional committees gain influence through requests and certifications.
- On Citizens: U.S. persons (individuals or companies) could face penalties for violating sanctions, such as fines for unauthorized dealings. American victims of terrorism (e.g., from October 7, 2023) may see indirect benefits through reduced terrorist funding.
- On International Relations: Could strain U.S. ties with the PA and PLO, complicating Middle East peace efforts or aid programs. May affect relations with countries hosting PA entities or financial institutions, potentially isolating the PA economically. Allies like Israel may view it positively as anti-terrorism support.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- PLO and PA Officials/Entities: Directly targeted for sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, disrupting operations.
- Terrorists and Families: Reduced access to payments, potentially weakening incentives for violence.
- Financial Institutions: Foreign banks risk losing U.S. market access, affecting global transactions involving Palestinian entities.
- U.S. Government and Congress: Agencies handle enforcement; lawmakers oversee via committees (e.g., Foreign Affairs, Judiciary).
- Broader Groups: Designated terrorist organizations (e.g., Hamas, Islamic Jihad) and their supporters; international partners in the region; U.S. citizens or businesses dealing with sanctioned parties.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on established laws like IEEPA (for economic sanctions) and the Immigration and Nationality Act (for visa restrictions), ensuring enforceability without new frameworks. "Material support" is defined per U.S. criminal code to avoid ambiguity in prosecutions.
- Constitutional: Affirms presidential powers in foreign affairs and national security (Article II), balanced by congressional checks like certification requirements, avoiding separation-of-powers issues.
- Political: Signals strong U.S. opposition to terrorism financing, potentially pressuring the PA for reforms but risking escalation in Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Neutral in tone, it focuses on accountability without endorsing broader policy shifts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (13 pages)