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house Bill H.R. 3329

Sanctioning Foreign People and Entities Who Fundraise and Recruit for Hezbollah

Argument in favor

Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and foreign people and entities who fundraise and recruit for the group should be sanctioned.

UnapologeticallyAmerican's Opinion
···
10/25/2017
Despite the ongoing U.S. sanctions on this organization, Hezbollah’s financial activities remain intact, and its revenues have reached almost a billion dollars annually. This legislation also targets Hezbollah's fund-raising, recruitment and propaganda activities, as well as states that are providing weapons, financial, and material support. Now is the time to choke off Hezbollah's assets and double down on the money that is coming in from Iran, Syria, and Russia.
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Mo7nas's Opinion
···
10/23/2017
Hizbullah is one of Iran's terror arms in the region, their reach extends to Europe, Africa, and the US. We must suffocate this cancerous organization before it's too late.
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Brian's Opinion
···
10/25/2017
Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and foreign people and entities who fundraise and recruit for the group should be sanctioned.
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Argument opposed

The U.S. shouldn’t implement new sanctions against those who fundraise and recruit for Hezbollah.

Karen's Opinion
···
10/25/2017
I was going to support this, until I read this part: “The president would periodically update the list of sanctioned entities and individuals and provide reports to Congress on the status of sanctions.” First, who would identify the entities and individuals to be sanctioned? Second, I simply do not believe this President will follow any law, Constitutional Amendment, US Code, etc.if he chooses not to. And the GOP will back him 100%.
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OlderNWiser's Opinion
···
10/25/2017
With a profoundly impaired POTUS who shares Islamophobia with the Administration deciding who and what are terrorist—no! No way! It is tragic to feel so much mistrust of the White House, much of the Republican Party, and many theoretically elected Congress.
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Christopher's Opinion
···
10/25/2017
The bill relies upon the Executive which is not a good way of pursuing this objective. Simply make it illegal to contribute to this ‘non-state’ entity both financially and materially.
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What is House Bill H.R. 3329?

This bill would require the president to expand federal sanctions on foreign people and entities that engage in fundraising and recruitment activities for Hezbollah (also spelt Hizballah), a terror group based in Lebanon. Those affiliated with Hezbollah would be unable to transfer, pay, export, or withdraw assets held in the U.S. and would be barred from entering the country. The president would periodically update the list of sanctioned entities and individuals and provide reports to Congress on the status of sanctions.

The bill would also require federal agencies to develop policies and prepare reports related to Hezbollah related to the group’s cooperation with foreign governments, racketeering, tobacco trafficking, and illicit transactions with foreign financial institutions. 

The president would have the authority to waive sanctions if it’s determined that implementing them would be contrary to U.S. national security interests.

Impact

Foreign people and entities who fundraise or recruit for Hezbollah; federal agencies responsible for enforcing sanctions; Congress; and the president.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 3329

$1.00 Million
The CBO estimates that enacting this bill would cost $1 million over the 2018-2022 period.

More Information

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) introduced this bill to increase sanctions on Hezbollah and its supporters:

“As Iran’s leading terrorist proxy, Hezbollah has been fomenting insecurity around the Middle East for decades. Most recently, it has carried out heinous acts of violence in Syria and is amassing more than 100,000 rockets along Israel’s border. The U.S. cannot allow Hezbollah to threaten our ally Israel and undermine our interests in Syria. These sanctions will severely limit Hezbollah’s financial network and transnational criminal activities, as well as crack down on its backers – most importantly Iran.”

Lead cosponsor Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) added:

“Hezbollah remains one of the biggest threats to America, our interests and our allies.  With support from Iran and Syria, Hezbollah has become more lethal and more dangerous in the region. We are introducing the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act Amendments at a critical time. Battle-hardened Hezbollah fighters are coming home after fighting for the murderous Assad regime and more and more rockets are pointed at Israel’s population centers.  Congress must close any possible loophole that could allow foreign funding of Hezbollah.  Acting swiftly—and in a bipartisan manner—will show Hezbollah’s foreign sponsors that the United States will not sit by while Hezbollah grows stronger.”

This legislation passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on a voice vote and has the support of 114 bipartisan cosponsors in the House, including 67 Republicans and 47 Democrats.


Of Note: Hezbollah is a terrorist organization based in Lebanon which killed 241 U.S. Marines by bombing their barracks in Beirut in 1983.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: jcarrilet / iStock)

AKA

Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2017

Official Title

To amend the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015 to impose additional sanctions with respect to Hizballah, and for other purposes.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
  • The house Passed October 25th, 2017
    Passed by Voice Vote
      house Committees
      Committee on Financial Services
      Committee on Foreign Affairs
      Committee on the Judiciary
    IntroducedJuly 20th, 2017
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    UnapologeticallyAmerican's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/25/2017
    Despite the ongoing U.S. sanctions on this organization, Hezbollah’s financial activities remain intact, and its revenues have reached almost a billion dollars annually. This legislation also targets Hezbollah's fund-raising, recruitment and propaganda activities, as well as states that are providing weapons, financial, and material support. Now is the time to choke off Hezbollah's assets and double down on the money that is coming in from Iran, Syria, and Russia.
    Like (32)
    Follow
    Share
    Karen's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/25/2017
    I was going to support this, until I read this part: “The president would periodically update the list of sanctioned entities and individuals and provide reports to Congress on the status of sanctions.” First, who would identify the entities and individuals to be sanctioned? Second, I simply do not believe this President will follow any law, Constitutional Amendment, US Code, etc.if he chooses not to. And the GOP will back him 100%.
    Like (44)
    Follow
    Share
    OlderNWiser's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/25/2017
    With a profoundly impaired POTUS who shares Islamophobia with the Administration deciding who and what are terrorist—no! No way! It is tragic to feel so much mistrust of the White House, much of the Republican Party, and many theoretically elected Congress.
    Like (25)
    Follow
    Share
    Mo7nas's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/23/2017
    Hizbullah is one of Iran's terror arms in the region, their reach extends to Europe, Africa, and the US. We must suffocate this cancerous organization before it's too late.
    Like (13)
    Follow
    Share
    Brian's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/25/2017
    Hezbollah is a terrorist organization and foreign people and entities who fundraise and recruit for the group should be sanctioned.
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    James's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/25/2017
    Nail em for God's sake! There should be no argument or even much of a discussion on this matter!
    Like (9)
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    Christopher's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/25/2017
    The bill relies upon the Executive which is not a good way of pursuing this objective. Simply make it illegal to contribute to this ‘non-state’ entity both financially and materially.
    Like (9)
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    Scott's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/26/2017
    I'm all for shutting down Hezbollah, but should the President have full control of who is on the list?
    Like (5)
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    Lionman's Opinion Against
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    10/26/2017
    I’m uncomfortable with the President being the keeper of a list like this. Our “no fly” list is more closely vetted, and it can have issues.
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    RadicalModerate's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/25/2017
    Terrorism is fake. You know what scares me? Political corruption. And if you believe that isis and the talaban really threaten us than I'm sure you already understand how corruption weakens the political process and leaves marginalized people with little recourse other than violence and extremism to face there oppressors.
    Like (5)
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    Walter's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/25/2017
    To do anything less than sanction would encourage Hezbollah’s worst behaviors.
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    ProudAmerican's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/22/2017
    There is no good reason to vote against this. Plus, the United Nations needs to join us in condemning and isolating this terrorist group along with Iran in order to force their hand. The number one State sponsor of radical Islamic terrorism needs to be put in its place and luckily we have a President who is willing to do that.
    Like (5)
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    Themis's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/25/2017
    Ultimately, we should be doing everything we can to prevent the loss of life and promote peace in the Middle East. I fear that while the stated intentions of this bill seem clear, the actual outcome will be to fan the flames and reduce our credibility as an objective broker of peace in the region.
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    Luis's Opinion Against
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    10/26/2017
    The president being in charge of this list is disturbing
    Like (4)
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    Michael777's Opinion Against
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    10/26/2017
    The president should not be given unilateral control over which countries should get sanctioned or not. It's called "Checks and Balances"!
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    Joseph's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/26/2017
    In general I suppose this bill; however, I do not believe any one person, including a POTUS, should have the power to add people to any list.
    Like (3)
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    Daniel 's Opinion In Favor
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    10/25/2017
    You assist a murderer in murdering someone your an accomplice, and if you help terrorists you to are an accomplice.
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    Grant's Opinion Against
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    10/25/2017
    Poorly structured. Shouldn't rely on the executive. Should rely on intelligence agencies and congressional security panels.
    Like (3)
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    J. scott's Opinion Against
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    10/25/2017
    Actually this sounds somewhat reasonable but I do not trust congress to do the right thing and even less the President. Let’s just stop everything like the GOP did under Obama.
    Like (3)
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    Faerywings's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/26/2017
    This bill gives the president too much unilateral power.
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