Congressman Brian J. Mast | Congressman Brian J. Mast Website
Congressman Brian J. Mast | Congressman Brian J. Mast Website
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives has passed the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Representative Brian Mast, with a vote of 363-46. This bipartisan bill, cosponsored by Representative Josh Gottheimer, aims to sanction the financiers of Hamas and prevent them from benefiting from the U.S. economy.
Representative Mast emphasized the importance of taking action against those who attack Israel, stating, "An attack on Israel is an attack on the American ideals of freedom and rule of law." He further condemned the recent attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7th, which resulted in the death of numerous innocent people. Representative Mast stressed the need for the United States to send a clear message that those who enable such acts will not go unpunished.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Representative Gottheimer stated, "On October 7, the world watched Hamas terrorists invade Israel and brutally kidnap, torture, rape, burn alive, and murder innocent babies, children, women, men, and the elderly, including Americans." He expressed his support for Israel's right to defend itself and emphasized the importance of isolating and punishing radical terrorist groups like Hamas and PIJ.
The Hamas International Financing Prevention Act targets any entity that provides financial or material support to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or its affiliates. Both Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States for nearly three decades.
This is not the first time the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act has been introduced. It was included in last year's National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 but was not included in the final version of the bill. Representative Mast reintroduced the bill with Representative Gottheimer earlier this year. On October 19, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the bill with a vote of 45-2.
The bill now awaits consideration from the Senate. If it passes, it will impose sanctions on entities that support Hamas, sending a strong message that the United States stands firmly against terrorism and in support of its ally, Israel.
For more information on the legislation, it can be read here.
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To learn more, click on this link: https://mast.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EDC4820D-BA80-46AF-BE86-4A7948014C04
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