Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 313
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-29: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2025-04-03T20:22:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act of 2025" aims to prevent U.S. taxpayer funds from indirectly supporting terrorist groups through United Nations (UN) assistance programs in Afghanistan. It restricts U.S. financial contributions to the UN specifically for Afghan aid until safeguards are certified to ensure no funds reach designated terrorist organizations.
Key Provisions
- Funding Restriction: The U.S. is prohibited from providing voluntary or assessed contributions to the UN for assistance in Afghanistan until the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that:
- No U.S. funds are used in cash shipments by the UN into Afghanistan.
- No "specially designated global terrorist organization" (groups blocked under Executive Order 13224 for terrorism support) receives funds from these shipments.
- No "foreign terrorist organization" (groups designated by the State Department under the Immigration and Nationality Act) receives funds from these shipments.
- Certification Revocation: If the Secretary later finds the certification inaccurate, they must revoke it, notify the relevant congressional committees, and provide a detailed justification.
- Definitions:
- "Appropriate congressional committees" include the Senate and House Committees on Foreign Relations/Affairs and Appropriations.
- Terms like "foreign terrorist organization" and "specially designated global terrorist organization" refer to entities officially labeled as terrorist groups by the U.S. government.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new restrictions on U.S. funding to the UN, tying contributions for Afghan aid to anti-terrorism certifications. It does not amend existing laws but adds a conditional barrier to routine UN funding, which previously occurred without such specific safeguards for cash shipments. This represents a shift toward stricter oversight of multilateral aid to conflict zones.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The State Department gains responsibility for ongoing monitoring and certification, potentially increasing administrative workload and requiring new verification processes for UN aid flows.
- On Citizens: U.S. taxpayers may see indirect benefits through reduced risk of funding terrorism, but it could limit humanitarian aid to Afghans, affecting vulnerable populations without direct U.S. citizen involvement.
- On International Relations: This could strain U.S.-UN relations by withholding funds, pressuring the UN to enhance anti-terrorism measures in aid delivery. It may also impact U.S. credibility in global humanitarian efforts and relations with allies supporting UN programs in Afghanistan.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Government: Congress (via oversight committees) and the State Department (for certifications).
- United Nations: Faces potential funding shortfalls for Afghan programs, requiring adjustments to cash shipment practices.
- Afghan Population: Humanitarian aid recipients, who may experience delays or reductions in assistance.
- Designated Terrorist Groups: Indirectly targeted, as the bill seeks to block their access to funds.
- U.S. Taxpayers and Policymakers: Involved through funding decisions and anti-terrorism priorities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill enforces executive branch accountability by mandating certifications and revocations, potentially leading to legal challenges if certifications are disputed or if UN aid is deemed essential under international obligations. It builds on existing U.S. laws like the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224 without altering them.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power of the purse (Article I, Section 9) to control federal spending, including foreign aid, but could raise questions about separation of powers if it overly constrains the executive's foreign policy flexibility.
- Political: Sponsored by a bipartisan group of senators focused on national security, it reflects concerns over post-2021 Afghanistan aid flows potentially benefiting groups like the Taliban. It may fuel debates on balancing anti-terrorism with humanitarian goals, influencing future U.S. multilateral funding policies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Cosponsors (10)
Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC], Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-29: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2025-01-29: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-29 — PDF (3 pages)