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:

• Foreign persons who serve as an employee of the PLO and PA that has facilitated the payments, provided payments themselves, or knowingly provided significant financial, technological, or material support and resources as part of the PLO and PA’s system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism. 

• Entities that facilitate the PLO and PA system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism including the Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners, the Institute for the Care of the Families of the Martyrs and the Wounded, the Palestine National Fund, and National Association of the Families of the Martyrs of Palestine.

• Foreign financial institutions that participate in a financial transaction that is part of the PLO and PA’s system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism. 

Boozman, Tim Scott introduce resolution condemning campus Anitsemitism

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced a resolution to condemn the recent explosion of antisemitism on U.S. college campuses, call out university presidents who have enabled and refused to take action against this antisemitism and urge the Biden Department of Education to take necessary actions to ensure that colleges and universities are complying with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students.

“College and university administrators as well as the Biden administration have a duty to protect Jewish students on campus and forcefully condemn the antisemitism and hate on display across too many higher education institutions. There is no excuse for half-hearted efforts or stalling. I’m proud to join Sen. Scott and our colleagues in standing up for Israel and the Jewish Americans who deserve this basic protection,” Boozman said.

“Antisemitism is rearing its ugly head at college campuses across our nation. Jewish students are being targeted with violence and harassment, and the university presidents and administrators, who should be defending them, are caving to the radical mob and allowing chaos to spread,” said Scott. “Every Jewish student has the right to attend class, study, and walk campus safely. The ‘adults’ who refuse to uphold that right must be held accountable.”

The resolution is cosponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

Boozman, Scott introduce National School Choice Week Resolution

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tim Scott (R-SC) led their colleagues in introducing a resolution designating January 21 through January 27, 2024, as National School Choice Week.

“We all want youth to succeed, and parents deserve more than just a seat at the table when it comes to their child’s education. Moms and dads want and need to be their child’s fiercest advocates,” Boozman said. “I’m proud to join my colleagues supporting greater educational freedom so every family is empowered to find the best learning option that fits their students’ needs.”

“It is unacceptable that today – in the United States of America – millions of kids who grew up just like I did still lack access to quality education simply because of their zip code,” said Senator Scott. “We cannot leave our kids’ education and the future of America’s children to chance. Instead, transforming our nation’s education system and ensuring every child has access to a quality education must be our call to action every single day.”

In addition to Boozman and Scott, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Budd (R-NC), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Rick Scott (R-FL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Katie Britt (R-AL), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Braun (R-IN), Mike Lee (R-UT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

A companion resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI).

Click here to read the full resolution.