WASHINGTON, D.C. – On November 1, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to impose sanctions on the financiers of the terrorist group Hamas as well as a resolution condemning Iran’s nuclear program.

The Hamas International Financing Prevention Act passed by a vote of 363-46 and would sanction any foreign state or entity that offers financial or material support to Hamas or other terrorist organizations, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the Lion’s Den, or any of their affiliates. The bill would require the President of the United States, within 180 days of enactment, to exercise all of the executive powers already available under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to suspend for one year U.S. assistance to foreign states that support terrorism. In addition, the Office of the President would also be required to assess the activities and assets of Hamas and report the findings to Congress no “later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter.”

The measure would expire after seven years of it becoming law or 30 days after the executive branch certifies that Hamas, PIJ, or other listed groups and affiliates are no longer designated as terrorist organizations.

The bill was cosponsored by Republican Representatives Brian Mast (FL-21) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). According to Rep. Mast, the measure is meant to sanction those who attack Israel so that they are not “rewarded with access to the U.S. economy.”

The bill has been passed to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The House also passed a nonbinding resolution 354-53 condemning Iran’s efforts to build or obtain a nuclear weapon. House Resolution 559 declares it is U.S. policy “that a nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran is not acceptable.”

The resolution cites the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stating that Iran has enriched uranium to nearly weapons-grade material and has enough material for several nuclear weapons. The resolution noted Iran now possesses “irreversible and dangerous nuclear knowledge” and that Iran’s nuclear program “has no credible peaceful purpose.”

Due to these facts, the House declared “it is the policy of the United States…that Iran must not be able to obtain a nuclear weapon under any circumstances or conditions; to use all means necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon; and to recognize and support the freedom of action of partners and allies, including Israel, to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

Last week, the House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan resolution by a vote of 412-10 supporting Israel and condemning Hamas which was Rep. Mike Johnson’s (LA-4) first act as the new Speaker of the House. Yesterday, the House also approved nearly $14.5 billion in military aid for Israel, which now heads to the Senate for approval.

Liberty Counsel Action Chairman Mat Staver said, “On October 7, the world witnessed how Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and committed unspeakable atrocities leaving thousands of innocent people dead. An attack like this on the Jewish people is an attack on everyone. The U.S. House has sent a clear message that Hamas terrorists and their supporters should be cut off from their means to wage these evil acts. The resolution condemning Hamas’ main supporter Iran and its nuclear ambitions is equally salient. Iran is committed to the destruction of Israel and a nuclear-armed Iran is a direct threat to global peace and must be stopped.”

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