Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), passed nine measures, including the Taylor Force Act and two measures targeting Iran’s dangerous proxy, Hamas.

On the Taylor Force Act (H.R. 1164), Chairman Royce said: “This bill is named in honor of a courageous and patriotic young American, Taylor Force, whose life was tragically cut short when he was murdered by a Palestinian terrorist in Israel.

“Since 2003, it has been Palestinian law to reward Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails with a monthly paycheck. Palestinian leadership also pays the families of Palestinian prisoners and suicide bombers. These policies incentivize terrorism.

“With this legislation, we are forcing the PA to choose between U.S. assistance and these morally reprehensible policies, and I am pleased to see this measure move forward in both chambers with so much support.”

On the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act (H.R. 2712), Chairman Royce said: “Iran and Hezbollah are clearly working to extend their influence over Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip through increased financial and military aid. It is precisely Iranian support that has enabled Hamas to maintain power in the Gaza Strip for the past decade. Iran is also why Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have thousands of missiles and rockets, and continue digging tunnels of terror under the border with Israel.

“While we work to address Iran’s support for Hamas, we must also ensure U.S. partners in the region do not host or aid Hamas terrorists. To that end, this bill has already had an effect. When the bill was introduced, Qatar was hosting senior Hamas terrorist Saleh al Arouri after being expelled in 2016 from Turkey. Two weeks after this legislation was introduced, he, along with other Hamas terrorists, was expelled from Qatar.”‘

On the Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act (H.R. 3542), Chairman Royce said: “Hamas not only targets Israeli civilians with kidnapping and the indiscriminate firing of rockets, the terrorist group also shows a callous disregard for the lives of the Palestinians it supposedly represents by using them as human shields during times of conflict, in direct violation of international law. This legislation holds Hamas and its sponsor, Iran, accountable for this monstrous practice.”

Additionally, the Committee passed the following measures:

  • H. Res. 336, introduced by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), which reaffirms a strong commitment to the United States-Mexico Partnership;
  • As amended, H. Res. 401, introduced by Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), which urges China, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, India, and all nations to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade and to enforce existing laws against the trade;
  • As amended, H. Res. 407, introduced by Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI), which condemns the persecution of Christians around the world;
  • As amended, H.R. 1415, End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act, introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), which facilitates effective research on and treatment of neglected tropical diseases, including Ebola, through coordinated domestic and international efforts;
  • As amended, H.R. 3776, Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2017, introduced by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), which supports United States international cyber diplomacy; and
  • As amended, H. Con. Res. 90, introduced by Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), which condemns ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and calls for an end to the attacks in and an immediate restoration of humanitarian access to the state of Rakhine in Burma.

A summary of the Committee action, including adopted amendments, will be available HERE.

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