Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4397
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-03: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 35 - 14.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-27T17:55:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025" (H.R. 4397) aims to classify the Muslim Brotherhood—a global Islamist organization—as a foreign terrorist group. It requires the U.S. President to formally designate it as such, mandates reporting by the Secretary of State to Congress on related entities, and imposes bans on its operations, travel, and financial activities in the United States to counter perceived terrorism risks.
Key Provisions
- Findings and Determinations: Updates the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987 with new statements linking the Muslim Brotherhood to terrorism. These include its connection to Hamas (already designated a terrorist group), support for attacks like the October 7, 2023, incident in Israel that affected U.S. citizens, and efforts to destabilize U.S. allies in the Middle East (e.g., Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia).
- Prohibitions on Operations: Extends existing bans on the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates, prohibiting them from establishing offices, lobbying, or receiving U.S. funds.
- Immigration and Travel Restrictions: Adds rules making Muslim Brotherhood members (defined as foreign individuals under its control or representation) ineligible for U.S. visas, entry, or parole. Current visas must be revoked immediately. Definitions clarify "Muslim Brotherhood" as the Society of the Muslim Brothers and list its branches (e.g., Hamas) in over 30 countries.
- Reporting Requirements: The Secretary of State must submit an annual report to Congress within 90 days of enactment (and yearly after), identifying Muslim Brotherhood branches worldwide and assessing if they qualify for terrorist designation under U.S. law.
- Mandatory Designations and Sanctions:
- Within 90 days, the President must designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) under the Immigration and Nationality Act and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order 13224 (which blocks assets and bans transactions with terrorists).
- For branches, sanctions follow positive report findings: FTO status for already-designated ones and SDGT measures for those meeting criteria. Sanctions cannot be lifted for at least 4 years.
- Report Format: Reports are unclassified but may include a classified section for sensitive details.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amendments to Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987: Adds the Muslim Brotherhood to findings of terrorism (previously focused on PLO), expands prohibitions to cover its operations (e.g., updating section titles and text to include it alongside PLO), and introduces new sections (1006 and 1007) for visa bans and definitions. It also limits termination of prior PLO-related bans to preserve them.
- New Mandates on Designations: Shifts from discretionary to required actions—previously, the President could choose to designate groups as FTOs or SDGTs; this bill forces designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and its branches based on reports.
- Integration with Other Laws: Links to the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery Act for sanctions and Executive Order 13224 for asset freezes, creating a unified framework for enforcement.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The State Department and President face new deadlines for reports and designations, increasing administrative workload and coordination with intelligence agencies like the National Counterterrorism Center. Congress gains oversight through required briefings.
- On Citizens: U.S. persons (citizens, residents, or U.S.-based entities) are not directly targeted by visa bans, but indirect effects could include restrictions on travel, donations, or dealings with designated entities. It may enhance national security by limiting terrorist financing but could complicate humanitarian or charitable activities linked to Muslim Brotherhood affiliates.
- On International Relations: Strengthens ties with U.S. allies (e.g., Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia) that already ban the group, potentially pressuring countries hosting branches (e.g., Qatar, Turkey) to act. It could strain relations with nations viewing the Muslim Brotherhood as a political movement, escalating U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the Middle East and beyond.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government Officials: President (for designations), Secretary of State (for reports and sanctions), and congressional committees (Foreign Affairs, Foreign Relations, Judiciary) for oversight.
- Muslim Brotherhood and Affiliates: The organization, its global branches (e.g., Hamas), members, and supporters face asset freezes, travel bans, and operational shutdowns in the U.S.
- U.S. Allies and Partners: Middle Eastern governments (e.g., Bahrain, Jordan) that outlaw the group may benefit from aligned policies; others (e.g., in Europe or Asia hosting branches) could face diplomatic pressure.
- Foreign Individuals and Entities: Non-U.S. persons affiliated with the group are barred from U.S. entry or business, affecting immigrants, students, or organizations in listed countries.
- U.S. Citizens and Residents: Potentially impacted if involved in related charities or advocacy, though protections for U.S. persons limit direct effects.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Expands terrorism designation criteria, potentially leading to lawsuits over evidence standards for "credible evidence" of membership or branch affiliations. Enforcement could involve challenges under immigration law, as FTO/SDGT status triggers automatic inadmissibility without hearings.
- Constitutional Implications: May raise First Amendment concerns if designations are seen as restricting political or religious speech, though courts have upheld similar anti-terror measures (e.g., for Hamas). Due process issues could arise for visa revocations affecting foreign nationals with U.S. ties.
- Political Implications: Introduced by a bipartisan group of House members, it signals unified U.S. resolve against Islamist extremism post-October 7, 2023, events. Referred to Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees, passage could influence future counterterrorism policy but might polarize debates on distinguishing terrorism from legitimate activism.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26]
Cosponsors (37)
Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Fuller, Clay [R-GA-14], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-03: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 35 - 14.
- 2025-12-03: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-07-15: 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.
- 2025-07-15: 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.
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (10 pages)