Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott has reintroduced the Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act, aiming to prevent U.S. funds from reaching Gaza until it is confirmed that American taxpayer money does not benefit Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any other designated foreign terrorist organizations. The bill also stipulates that U.S. contributions via the United Nations should not support entities promoting anti-Israel or antisemitic ideologies.

The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jim Banks, Ted Budd, Shelley Moore-Capito, Tom Cotton, and Ted Cruz.

Senator Rick Scott emphasized the urgency of the act: “Iran-backed Hamas terrorists are evil people who kill babies in cold blood, rape and murder young women, and kidnap and hold hostage Americans and Israelis, as they have for nearly 540 days now. Until Hamas is destroyed and out of Gaza for good, the United States cannot commit U.S. tax dollars to aid the region knowing these terrorists will use it to fuel its terror."

He added that with President Trump back in office, there is a renewed focus on defending Israel and ensuring that American tax dollars are used appropriately.

Senator Ted Budd expressed his support: “Hamas is a terrorist organization with American blood on its hands. Not one penny of hard-earned American taxpayer dollars should make its way to them, even indirectly." He commended Senator Scott's leadership on this issue.

Senator Shelley Moore-Capito highlighted the importance of preventing U.S. aid from supporting violent organizations: “American taxpayer dollars should not be supporting Hamas’s ability to resource attacks against Israeli civilians or its oppression of Gazans."

The proposed legislation seeks to reinforce national security while ensuring transparency in foreign assistance allocations.