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House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Sanctions Against Hezbollah

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2297, the Hezbollah International Financial Prevention Act of 2015, which would strengthen economic sanctions against Hezbollah, a terrorist organization that continues to pose a threat to the United States, our allies, and interests throughout the Middle East and beyond. 
H.R. 2297, introduced by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, mirrors H.R. 4411, legislation that the House passed in July 2014; the Senate never considered H.R. 4411.
H.R. 2297 takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the threat posed by Hezbollah by imposing severe new sanctions on Hezbollah’s fundraising channels and restricting its ability to use its funds to support global terrorist activities. The legislation also targets Hezbollah’s media appendage, al-Manar, and forces other critical designations to undermine the terrorist organization’s illicit activities.
Upon passage of H.R. 2297, Chairman Royce said: “Passing the Iran and Hezbollah bills today is a one-two punch against terrorist-backing Iran’s nuclear weapons drive. Years ago Hezbollah was a limited, regional threat. Today, it is a global threat conducting terrorist and criminal activities all over the world—one that has actively targeted the United States now for 30 years. Hezbollah has been able to expand both its arsenal and activities, with Iranian backing, and its long-established worldwide network of members, supporters, and sympathizers to provide this terrorist group financial, logistical, military, and other types of support.  To cut Hezbollah’s international reach, and deny it the funds needed for its terrorist activities, we must effectively target its financial networks.  This legislation targets the ability of Hezbollah to finance its destructive activities.  
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), the Committee’s Ranking Member and an original co-sponsor of the bill, said:  “Hezbollah’s actions in the Middle East and around the world have only added to the volatility that has plagued the region.  Hezbollah serves as Iran’s proxy around the world, even as Iran seeks to conclude negotiations on its nuclear program with the international community.  Hezbollah’s stockpile of rockets is growing on Israel’s doorstep.  Hezbollah fighters continue to terrorize the people of Syria, serving as the only thing between Assad and his own demise.  It is time to redouble our efforts to stop Hezbollah from continuing its campaign of terror across the region.  I am proud to support the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 to help end Hezbollah’s nefarious actions.”
H.R. 2297:
• allows the Administration to pursue foreign banks that knowingly do business with entities that facilitate Hezbollah’s activities;
• requires the Administration to brief Congress on the status of all satellite, internet and other providers that knowingly provide material support to al-Manar, and if a provider has not been sanctioned, explain why;
• requires the President to report to Congress on whether Hezbollah meets the criteria for designation under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act or as a Transnational Criminal Organization, both of which would further empower U.S. law enforcement agencies to counter Hezbollah’s other criminal enterprises, including money laundering and the counterfeiting of goods and pharmaceuticals;
• requires the Administration to report on actions taken by the Department of State through its rewards program to obtain information on Hezbollah’s fundraising, financing, and money laundering networks;
• requires the Administration to provide a comprehensive overview of countries supporting Hezbollah, including those governments that are not taking adequate efforts to disrupt Hezbollah’s global logistics networks.

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