Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2293
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-23T11:03:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, titled the "Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025," aims to classify the Muslim Brotherhood—a global Islamist organization—as a foreign terrorist group under U.S. law. It requires the President to impose sanctions and designations on the organization and its branches, directs the Secretary of State to report on related activities, and updates existing anti-terrorism laws to include prohibitions on the group's operations in the United States.
Key Provisions
- Amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987: Adds findings that link the Muslim Brotherhood to terrorism, including its connection to Hamas (a designated terrorist group) and its role in supporting instability in U.S. ally nations like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. It expands prohibitions to ban the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliates from receiving U.S. funds, establishing offices, or engaging in activities in the U.S., similar to restrictions on the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
- Immigration and Visa Restrictions: Introduces mandatory ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole for any foreign person (non-U.S. individual or entity) determined to be a Muslim Brotherhood member. This includes revoking existing visas and applies sanctions like those for hostage-taking accountability.
- Definitions: Clarifies terms such as "Muslim Brotherhood" (referring to the Society of the Muslim Brothers), "Muslim Brotherhood branch" (including affiliates like Hamas and operations in over 30 countries), and "Muslim Brotherhood member" (anyone under its control or representing it). It excludes U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, or U.S.-based entities) from these foreign-focused definitions.
- Reporting and Designation Requirements:
- The Secretary of State must submit an annual report to Congress (within 90 days of enactment and yearly thereafter) identifying Muslim Brotherhood branches worldwide and assessing whether they qualify for terrorist designations under existing laws (e.g., Immigration and Nationality Act or Executive Order 13224 on blocking terrorist assets).
- The President must designate the Muslim Brotherhood itself as a foreign terrorist organization and impose sanctions (e.g., asset freezes and transaction bans) within 90 days of enactment.
- For branches, sanctions must follow positive determinations in reports, with a minimum 4-year ban on removal.
- Report Format: Reports are unclassified but may include a classified annex for sensitive information.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expansion of Anti-Terrorism Act: Previously focused on the PLO, the Act now explicitly includes the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, adding new findings on its global support for affiliates and ties to events like the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. It terminates PLO-specific sunset clauses but limits them to PLO prohibitions.
- New Sections Added: Introduces Sections 1006 (visa sanctions) and 1007 (definitions) to the Act, mandating executive actions that were previously discretionary.
- Alignment with Other Laws: Integrates with existing terrorist designation frameworks (e.g., foreign terrorist organization lists and global sanctions orders), making designations mandatory rather than optional.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The State Department and President face strict timelines for reports, designations, and sanctions, increasing administrative workload and oversight by Congress (specifically the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees). This could limit executive flexibility in foreign policy.
- On Citizens and Residents: U.S. persons are generally exempt, but indirect effects may include heightened scrutiny of immigration, travel, or financial transactions involving suspected affiliates. It references impacts from the 2023 Hamas attacks, potentially aiding recovery efforts for affected U.S. citizens.
- On International Relations: Strengthens ties with U.S. allies (e.g., Bahrain, Egypt, UAE) that already ban the group, but could strain relations with nations hosting branches (e.g., Qatar, Turkey) or complicate diplomacy in the Middle East. It may deter foreign support for the group globally by freezing assets and banning interactions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government Officials: President, Secretary of State, and congressional committees responsible for implementation and oversight.
- Muslim Brotherhood Members and Affiliates: Foreign individuals, branches, and organizations (e.g., Hamas) facing travel bans, asset freezes, and operational restrictions.
- U.S. Allies and Partners: Middle Eastern governments (e.g., Saudi Arabia, Jordan) that view the group as a threat, benefiting from aligned U.S. policy.
- Immigration and Security Communities: U.S. citizens impacted by terrorism (e.g., victims of 2023 attacks) and agencies like Customs and Border Protection enforcing visa rules.
- Global Entities: Charities, NGOs, or businesses linked to listed countries, potentially facing sanctions if affiliated.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Mandates "credible evidence" for designations, which could lead to court challenges over due process or evidence standards. It builds on established anti-terrorism laws but risks overreach if branches are broadly defined, potentially affecting non-terrorist humanitarian groups.
- Constitutional Implications: Focuses on foreign persons, minimizing direct First Amendment (free speech) or Fifth Amendment (due process) issues for U.S. persons. However, if designations extend to U.S.-based activities, it might raise concerns about association rights or discriminatory profiling.
- Political Implications: Introduced by Republican senators, it reflects a hawkish stance on Islamist groups amid regional tensions. Enactment could polarize foreign policy debates, signaling U.S. commitment to countering perceived threats but inviting criticism for targeting a diverse organization with political (not just violent) wings.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (11)
Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR], Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL], Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL], Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (10 pages)