Following the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s (HFAC) unanimous passage of H.R. 2712, the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act that Congressman Gottheimer helped introduce with Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) in May, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement:

“I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to cut off Hamas, a heinous terrorist network responsible for the murders of American and Israeli citizens. Today’s committee passage brings us closer to making sure that those who provide assistance to this enemy of the United States and our vital ally, Israel, face the full strength and determination of our country. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to combat terrorism and protect the United States.”

H.R.2712 requires the President to submit to Congress an annual report for the next three years identifying foreign entities who assist Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or an affiliate or successor, and impose at least two or more crippling sanctions. This bill would also crack down on foreign governments that support these groups by suspending U.S. foreign aid, making it harder for them to receive loans or technical assistance, and tying up their credit.

As a member of the House Committee on Financial Service’s Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance, Rep Gottheimer has prioritized weakening Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, and other terrorist organizations that threaten the U.S. and Israel and further destabilize the Middle East. In May, he joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in calling on U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to address official Palestinian Authority payments to terrorists and their families with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his visit to Washington D.C. This letter is available here.

Hamas has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the State Department since 1997. It is responsible for the death of more than 400 Israelis and two dozen United States citizens.