07/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/25/2024 15:09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
July 25, 2024
Cotton, Scott, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Palestinian Leadership and Institutions That Reward Terrorism
Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) today introduced the PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act, legislation that would impose sanctions on foreign persons and entities that provide payments to Palestinian terrorists and the families of terrorists as part of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority's (PA) system of terror compensation.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Rick Scott (R-Florida), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) are cosponsoring the legislation. Congressmen Mike Lawler (New York-17) and Doug Lamborn (Colorado-05) are introducing bipartisan companion legislation in the House with 27 cosponsors.
"The Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization continue to support terrorism against Israel by providing hundreds of millions of dollars per year in their reprehensible 'pay-for-slay' program. Anti-Semitic Palestinian terrorists know they can expect payment as a reward for killing Israelis and Americans-with thousands of Palestinian terrorists tied to October 7 eligible for these terror payments. Our bill will ensure that the PA, PLO and their institutions that reward acts of terrorism are punished," said Senator Cotton.
"For years, the Palestinian Authority has incentivized brutal attacks against Israelis-and even American citizens-through its horrific 'pay for slay' policies. Strong words and failed negotiations aren't enough to stop these acts of terror. We need to actually use the authorities at our disposal to impose real economic pain against those who support and facilitate so-called 'martyr payments,' and I am proud to partner with Senator Cotton and our Republican colleagues to do just that," said Senator Scott.
Text of the bill may be found here.
The PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act would impose sanctions on:
###