WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18), in partnership with Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), successfully passed legislation in the House of Representatives to sanction any entity that aids and abets Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.  

“Hamas is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Israelis and at least two dozen Americans.  Any person, group or government who supports Hamas is complicit and should not be rewarded,” Rep. Mast said.  “This amendment is a powerful statement that we stand with our ally, Israel, and that the rest of the world must pick a side: freedom and democracy or violence and oppression, the U.S. or a terrorist organization.”  

Reps. Mast and Gottheimer offered an amendment to the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that mirrors the bipartisan pair’s bill, the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act.  The amendment was approved with bipartisan support.

The legislation requires the President to identify foreign persons, agencies or instrumentalities of a foreign state who knowingly and materially assist Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or an affiliate or successor of one of those organizations.

After identifying the organizations, the President must impose at least two sanctions, including denying Export-Import guarantees, defense support under the Arms Export Control Act, export of munitions, export of goods or technology controlled for national security reasons, loans more than $10 million, or seizure of property held within the United States.

The NDAA was passed by the House of Representatives and now awaits consideration by the U.S. Senate. 

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