Bill · S. 198· Senate(119-S-198)
PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/22/2025
- Last activity
- 1/22/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Tom Cotton
- Cosponsors
- - 11 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025" aims to impose sanctions on the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) regarding their compensation systems for terrorists. The bill identifies these systems as providing payments, salaries, and benefits that encourage and reward acts of terrorism. Under this Act, the President must impose sanctions on specific foreign persons and entities involved in these payments. Sanctions include blocking property and revoking visas or entry documentation. Additionally, the bill targets foreign financial institutions that facilitate these transactions. These sanctions remain in place until the Secretary of State certifies that the compensation system has ceased.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+2
The bill aligns U.S. policy with efforts to disrupt terrorist financing, which can strengthen security-focused international partnerships.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+1
By targeting the financial mechanisms of organizations that support terrorism, it reinforces national security against non-state actors.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+1
The bill aims to disrupt terrorist financing which is a matter of national security and stability.
The opposite
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?-1
The bill's targeting of large-scale financial transactions could affect those managing or transferring significant international assets.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Accountability for Terrorist Support: The bill seeks to hold the PLO and Palestinian Authority accountable for providing hundreds of millions of dollars in payments, salaries, and benefits to terrorists and their families (Section 2(a)).
-
Restriction of Financial Resources: By blocking the property and interests of foreign persons involved in the compensation system, the bill aims to disrupt the financial movement of these funds (Section 4(b)(1)).
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Travel Restrictions on Sanctioned Individuals: The bill makes certain individuals inadmissible to the United States and revokes any existing visas to prevent those involved in the compensation system from entering the country (Section 4(b)(2)).
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Regulation of Financial Institutions: The Act places strict conditions or prohibitions on foreign financial institutions that process payments related to the compensation system, aiming to stop the flow of money through the banking system (Section 5(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Impact on Foreign Officials and Employees: Individuals serving as representatives, ministers, or employees of the PLO or Palestinian Authority may face the loss of their property and the revocation of their visas (Section 4(a)(1) and 4(b)).
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Restrictions on Financial Institutions: Foreign financial institutions that engage in transactions related to the compensation system face prohibitions on opening or maintaining correspondent or payable-through accounts in the United States (Section 5(b) and 5(c)).
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Consequences for Significant Transaction Participants: Foreign persons who knowingly provide financial or material support to sanctioned entities may also face the imposition of sanctions (Section 4(a)(3)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+2Improves Cybersecurity Defense+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Union Workers+1Good For High Net Worth Individuals-1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+1
- 3/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/23/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Ted CruzRepublican · Texas
Lindsey GrahamRepublican · South Carolina
Bill HagertyRepublican · Tennessee
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida
Eric SchmittRepublican · Missouri