Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act of 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 8236
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2026-07-01T08:08:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill, titled the Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act of 2026, aims to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its chapters, affiliates, and successors as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). SDGTs are entities designated under Executive Order 13224 for supporting terrorism, which blocks their U.S. assets and bans transactions with them. The purpose is to disrupt alleged terrorist financing and activities disguised as civil rights advocacy, based on findings linking CAIR to Hamas (a U.S.-designated terrorist group).

Key Provisions

Findings (Section 2): Lists 15 points detailing CAIR's alleged ties to Hamas, including its status as an unindicted co-conspirator in a 2007 terrorism financing trial, founders' involvement in Hamas fronts, convictions/deportations of CAIR officials for terrorism-related crimes, state and UAE designations, FBI outreach suspension, and antisemitic rhetoric by leaders.
Designation (Section 3(a)): Mandates the Secretary of the Treasury (with input from the Secretary of State and Attorney General) to label CAIR and affiliates as SDGTs under Executive Order 13224.
Immediate Actions (Section 3(b)):
Blocks all CAIR assets in U.S. jurisdiction.
Prohibits U.S. persons (defined as U.S. citizens, residents, or entities) from any transactions with CAIR.
Adds CAIR to the Treasury's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List (a public list of blocked persons).
Tax Status Revocation (Section 3(c)): Suspends CAIR's tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (nonprofit status for charities), invoking section 501(p) for terrorism support.
Congressional Report (Section 4): Within 30 days of enactment, Secretaries of State and Treasury (with Attorney General) must report to key congressional committees on CAIR's designation criteria or justify non-designation; report is unclassified with possible classified annex.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Converts discretionary SDGT designations (typically decided by Treasury) into a congressional mandate.
Explicitly applies section 501(p) to suspend tax-exempt status, which previously required IRS determination of terrorism support.
No changes to core Executive Order 13224 or tax code, but enforces them rigidly against a specific entity.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Treasury must block assets and update lists; State, Justice, and IRS implement/enforce; multiple congressional committees receive oversight reports, increasing scrutiny.
Citizens and Organizations: U.S. persons barred from donating, contracting, or interacting with CAIR, potentially halting its advocacy work; nonprofits lose tax benefits, affecting operations.
International Relations: Aligns U.S. policy with allies like the UAE; may strain ties with groups viewing CAIR as a civil rights advocate.
Broader effects: Could deter similar organizations, enhance counter-terrorism financing, but limit civil liberties outreach.

Main Stakeholders Affected

CAIR and Affiliates: Primary target; faces asset freezes, transaction bans, and operational shutdown.
U.S. Government: Treasury (OFAC/IRS), State Department, DOJ (lead roles); congressional committees (oversight).
States and Local Entities: Builds on actions by Texas, Florida governors and legislatures (e.g., suspending CAIR contacts).
Communities: Muslim-American groups (reduced advocacy), Jewish/pro-Israel organizations (supported via findings), hospitality providers and politicians (prior CAIR event issues).
General Public: U.S. donors, businesses prohibited from CAIR engagement.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Designation could trigger lawsuits over evidence standards from past trials; report ensures accountability but allows justification for non-action.
Constitutional: Potential First Amendment challenges (free speech/assembly) if seen as targeting advocacy, or due process issues without trial; counters with national security under Executive Order 13224.
Political: Introduced by Reps. Roy, Ogles, Higgins (LA), Norman; referred to Foreign Affairs and Ways/Means committees, signaling partisan divide on terrorism vs. civil rights debates. Findings cite Biden Administration disavowal, amplifying controversy.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21]

Cosponsors (14)

Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]

Recent Actions

2026-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
2026-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
2026-04-09: Introduced in House
2026-04-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-09 — PDF (10 pages)