After President Joe Biden's state department confirmed that foreign aid to Palestine has the "possibility" of funding the terrorist group Hamas, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act, a measure that would ensure that no taxpayer money would be used to fund terrorism, furthering the narrative that Democrats have turned their backs on Israel.
Sen. Scott's bill follows after the announcement of $110 million in economic assistance to Palestine, which has voted in Hamas. Scott's proposal would ensure that no further funding would be sent to Palestinian territories until the President certifies that these funds can be spent without benefitting the terrorist organization.
Scott has previously condemned the actions taken against Israel, calling on Biden to "get a backbone," and support Israel. Scott has also had 30 of his colleagues sign on to his resolution to reaffirm the United States' unwavering relationship with Israel, and identifying Hamas as a terrorist organization once again.
Scott further commented on the weeks-long violence, asserting Democrats are turning their backs on Israel:
"For 11 days this month, we saw Hamas rockets rain down on our great ally Israel. Instead of coming together to stand for Israel and condemn these terrorists, we saw the Democrats turn their backs on Israel," adding "President Biden’s State Department is confused about how to prevent American taxpayer dollars from going to terrorists. This lack of accountability or concern is absolutely disgusting and I won’t allow it. That’s why I’m introducing the Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act today tomake sureAmerican taxpayer dollars never go to support Hamas terrorists. I will never stop fighting to stop the radical left’s anti-Israel and anti-Semiticagenda."
The Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act would do the following:
- Prohibits funds from being authorized for expenditure in the territory of Gaza until the president certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that U.S. funds can be expended without benefitting organizations and persons who are not members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any other terrorist organization as identified by U.S. law, nor controlled or influenced by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any other terrorist organization as identified by U.S. law.
- Ensures U.S. funds are not authorized for expenditure in the territory of Gaza through any United Nations entity or office that the President cannot certify is not encouraging or teaching anti-Israel and anti-Semitic ideas and propaganda.
