May 13, 2014 | Press Release

FDD Welcomes Bipartisan Sanctions Bill Targeting Hezbollah’s International Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON – In a strong sign of bipartisan support for intensified pressure on Hezbollah’s international terrorist financing network, United States Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bob Casey (D-PA), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), James Risch (R-ID), Ed Markey (D-MA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) yesterday introduced the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2014.

The Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2014 targets Hezbollah’s financing, limits the group’s access to logistical support, and expands financial sanctions against Hezbollah by going after those financial institutions that enable the organizations illicit and deadly terrorist activities.

The Senate legislation contains a provision which requires the president to provide Congress within 90 days of enactment a list of “countries in which Hezbollah maintains important portions of its global logistics networks” as well as a list of “countries in which Hezbollah, or any of its agents or affiliates, conducts significant fundraising, financing, or money laundering activities.” Further, the provision requires an assessment of whether or not “adequate measures” are being taken to “disrupt” Hezbollah's activities. If a country fail that assessment, the president is required to assess why and what the U.S. government response is to rectify the situation. The legislation also seeks to expand designations against Hezbollah as well as provides for increased examination of organizations which support its activities, such as its media affiliate al-Manar.

“This important bipartisan legislation is critical to disrupting Hezbollah's global networks and limiting its ability to finance terror attacks, spread its extremist message, and recruit new members. Hezbollah remains one of the most dangerous global terrorist organizations, operates as the long arm of Iranian terror, and is deeply involved in the slaughter of innocents in Syria,” said FDD Executive Director Mark Dubowitz.

Last month, Reps. Mark Meadows (R-NC), Brad Schneider (D-IL), House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY) introduced similar bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives, which currently has 104 cosponsors.

About the Foundation for Defense of Democracies:

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)3 policy institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. Founded in 2001, FDD combines policy research, democracy and counterterrorism education, strategic communications and investigative journalism in support of its mission to promote pluralism, defend democratic values and fight the ideologies that drive terrorism. Visit our website at www.defenddemocracy.org and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contact:

Josh Silberberg, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
[email protected]
202.403.2921

Issues:

Hezbollah Iran