HOUSE PASSES MEADOWS' HEZBOLLAH SANCTIONS BILL

07/23/14 Washington, D.C.— On Tuesday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2014, H.R. 4411, introduced by Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC), by a vote of 404-0.

 

The bill targets Hezbollah, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, by sanctioning its foreign financial assets, while also going after its international narcotics trafficking rings, and its propaganda arm, al-Manar TV. H.R. 4411 also directs the Administration to designate Hezbollah as a transnational criminal organization and a drug Kingpin, giving U.S. law enforcement another tool to use when cracking down on Hezbollah's terrorist activities.

 

"Allowing Hezbollah's terrorist and criminal activities to continue unabated poses a direct threat to our nation and to our allies, particularly Israel," Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC) said. "Let us not forget that it wasn't very long ago when a Hezbollah terrorist cell was found operating in Charlotte, NC. Hezbollah's terrorist enterprise isn't confined within the borders of Iran or Lebanon, but spans globally, including on to U.S. soil," Meadows added.

 

"This bill cripples Hezbollah's financial network, dealing a serious blow to its criminal and terrorist operations. I hope that the Senate will act to advance this crucial legislation," Meadows added.

 

The strong, bipartisan legislation has 321 cosponsors in the House, and was originally co-sponsored by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Elliot Engel (D-NY), and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL.). The bill will now move to the United States Senate where companion legislation has already been introduced.