Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act

Bill Number: H.R. 2346
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-03-25: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 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: 2025-05-14T12:57:17Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act" (H.R. 2346) aims to hold the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) and related entities accountable for terrorist activities, including their role in the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. It mandates sanctions against the PRC and requires reports assessing whether the PRC and another group, Lion's Den, should be officially labeled as global terrorists by the U.S. government.

Key Provisions

Findings on PRC: The bill outlines the PRC's history since 2000, including attacks on Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians; ties to other designated terrorist groups like Hamas; specific incidents like the 2003 U.S. convoy attack and the 2004 murder of an Israeli family; and its claimed involvement in the October 7, 2023, attacks, which killed about 1,200 people and involved rocket fire, abductions, and violence.
Mandatory Sanctions (Section 2): Starting 90 days after enactment, the President must impose sanctions on:
The PRC itself.
Its officials, agents, affiliates, or controlled entities.
Any armed groups operating under its umbrella.
Sanctions include:
Property Blocking: Freezing assets and banning transactions in U.S. property or under U.S. control, using powers from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, a law allowing the President to manage economic emergencies).
Visa and Entry Restrictions: Barring affected individuals from entering the U.S., revoking existing visas, and denying immigration benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA, the main U.S. immigration law).
Exceptions apply for U.N. obligations or U.S. intelligence/law enforcement needs.
Penalties for violations mirror IEEPA fines and imprisonment.
The President can waive sanctions for up to 180 days if vital to U.S. national security, with congressional notification.
Sanctions end if the group stops terrorism (as defined in a key anti-terrorism executive order) or disbands.
Reports on Designations (Section 3):
Initial Report: Within 90 days, the Secretary of State must assess if Lion's Den (a group formed in 2022 linked to attacks and funding from designated terrorists) and the PRC qualify as "Specially Designated Global Terrorists" (SDGTs under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorism supporters) or Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs under INA section 219, which lists groups posing threats to U.S. security).
If not designated, provide justifications.
Reports are mostly unclassified but can include secret annexes.
Ongoing Reports: Every two years after the first year, report on new PRC-linked entities, assess them for SDGT, FTO, or sanctions eligibility, and justify any negative decisions.
Definitions (Section 4): "Appropriate committees of Congress" include Senate and House panels on foreign relations and judiciary.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill mandates automatic sanctions on the PRC and affiliates under IEEPA and INA, which were previously discretionary. While the PRC may already face some U.S. restrictions, this formalizes and expands them specifically tied to October 7 events.
It introduces required timelines and reports for designating Lion's Den and PRC as SDGTs or FTOs, compelling the State Department to justify delays—unlike prior voluntary processes.
Adds termination criteria based on ceasing terrorism, providing a clearer off-ramp than some existing sanctions regimes.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The President, State Department, Treasury (for asset freezes), and Homeland Security (for visas) must implement sanctions and reports, increasing administrative workload and coordination. Waivers and terminations require congressional oversight, potentially slowing decisions.
Citizens: U.S. persons (individuals or companies) face penalties for dealings with sanctioned entities, limiting business or travel ties. Victims of PRC attacks (e.g., Israelis, Americans) may see indirect benefits through heightened accountability.
International Relations: Strengthens U.S. alignment with Israel against Gaza-based groups, but could strain ties with Palestinian authorities or allies criticizing the measures. May deter funding to PRC affiliates globally by isolating them financially.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Primary Targets: The Popular Resistance Committees, Lion's Den, their members, affiliates, and successor groups—facing asset freezes, travel bans, and operational disruptions.
U.S. Government: Executive branch agencies (e.g., State, Treasury, DHS) for enforcement; Congress for oversight.
Allied Nations and Victims: Israel and affected communities (e.g., families of October 7 victims) who may gain from reduced terrorist capabilities.
Broader Groups: Palestinian civilians or entities inadvertently linked to PRC; international financial institutions handling related transactions; U.S. businesses with Middle East exposure.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Relies on established authorities like IEEPA (for economic measures during emergencies) and INA (for immigration controls), ensuring compliance without new powers. Exceptions protect U.S. intelligence activities, avoiding conflicts with national security laws. Violations carry civil/criminal penalties, reinforcing enforcement.
Constitutional: Aligns with presidential foreign affairs powers and Congress's role in immigration/war declarations, but waivers require congressional notice, balancing branches.
Political: Signals strong U.S. commitment to countering October 7 perpetrators, potentially influencing Middle East peace efforts or elections by appealing to pro-Israel constituencies. Could face criticism for targeting Palestinian groups without broader context, risking diplomatic backlash, though the bill's focus on terrorism maintains neutrality in framing.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]

Cosponsors (24)

Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Recent Actions

2025-03-25: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
2025-03-25: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
2025-03-25: Introduced in House
2025-03-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act — issued 2025-03-25 — PDF (11 pages)