WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives today passed bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to provide the President with further sanctions tools to block the terrorist organization Hizballah’s financing and limit its access to logistical support. The Senate passed the measure by unanimous consent in November. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for signature.

“This legislation provides the United States with additional tools to combat Hizballah’s sponsorship of terrorism, narco-trafficking, and other criminal activities. It would also ensure that foreign banks that do business with Hizballah will face severe consequences, including being cut off from the U.S. and international financial systems,” said Brown. “Given that the international nuclear agreement with Iran is solely focused on blocking the Iranian regime’s pathway to a nuclear bomb, it’s critical that we do everything possible to shut down Iran’s terrorist proxies like Hizballah.”

In addition to Brown – ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs – Senate Banking Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) cosponsored the bill.

Hizballah, one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist organizations, is a persistent threat to the United States and our allies – including our most important ally in the Middle East, Israel. 

The Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 would curtail Hizballah’s domestic and international activities by:

Targeting Hizballah’s Financing: This provision provides the Administration with additional tools to pursue foreign banks that knowingly engage in business with designated Hizballah entities, and to deconstruct its terror funding network.  

Identifying al-Manar’s Enablers: This provision requires the Administration to identify satellite providers that still carry Hizballah’s television station al- Manar – already designated by the U.S. for supporting terrorism – and provide key information to Congress on such providers.   

Broadening Third-Country Efforts: This provision requires the President to submit a report to Congress within 90 days detailing the countries where Hizballah maintains financial or logistical support networks, assessing whether the foreign governments are taking adequate steps to root out these networks, and describing Administration engagement to spur greater efforts.

Requiring an Assessment of Hizballah as a Narcotics Trafficking Organization:  This provision requires the President to provide a report to and brief Congress about Hizballah’s narcotics trafficking activity, and specifically information on designating Hizballah under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Given Hizballah’s systemic use of narcotics trafficking networks for fundraising, this provision calls attention to the role these activities play in supporting Hizballah financially. 

Requiring an Assessment of Hizballah as a Transnational Criminal Organization:  This provision requires the President to provide a report to and brief Congress about Hizballah’s criminal activity, specifically information on designating it as a transnational criminal organization. Given Hizballah’s reported engagement in money laundering, trafficking in stolen or counterfeit goods, and other criminal activities, this provision calls attention to the role these activities play in supporting Hizballah financially.

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