A bill to impose sanctions with respect to the system of compensation of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority that supports acts of terrorism.

1/24/2025, 11:56 AM

Summary of Bill S 198

Bill 119 s 198, also known as the "Palestinian Authority Terrorism Financing Prevention Act," is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The bill aims to impose sanctions on the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) for their alleged support of terrorism.

The bill specifically targets the system of compensation within the PLO and PA that is believed to support acts of terrorism. If passed, the bill would require the President to impose sanctions on individuals or entities that are involved in providing financial support to the PLO or PA for the purpose of carrying out terrorist activities.

The sanctions outlined in the bill could include freezing assets, prohibiting transactions, and denying entry into the United States. The goal of these sanctions is to deter the PLO and PA from continuing to fund terrorism and to hold them accountable for their actions. Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to combat terrorism and protect US national security interests. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the potential impact of the sanctions on innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories who rely on the PLO and PA for essential services. Overall, Bill 119 s 198 is a controversial piece of legislation that seeks to address the issue of terrorism financing by targeting the PLO and PA. Its fate in Congress remains uncertain as lawmakers continue to debate the potential consequences of imposing sanctions on these organizations.

Congressional Summary of S 198

PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act of 2025

This bill requires the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons (individuals and entities) that are involved with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) or Palestinian Authority (PA) system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism. The bill defines this system of compensation as payments to an individual who (1) has been imprisoned for terrorist acts against Israeli or U.S. citizens after being fairly tried, (2) died while committing such terrorist acts, or (3) is a family member of such individuals. The definition also includes compensation for individuals imprisoned for terrorism where the level of compensation is based on the length of incarceration.

Specifically, the President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person that has facilitated this compensation system, including PLO and PA officials as well as entities such as the Institute for the Care of the Families of the Martyrs and the Wounded. The President must also impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons who knowingly provide significant support to, or engage in significant transactions with, any of the aforementioned persons.

The President must sanction foreign financial institutions that facilitate payments or benefits related to this compensation system by (1) prohibiting them from opening correspondent or payable-through accounts in the United States, and (2) prohibiting or imposing strict conditions on the maintenance of such accounts.

The provisions of this bill shall terminate if the Department of State certifies that such compensation system has ceased.

Current Status of Bill S 198

Bill S 198 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 22, 2025. Bill S 198 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on January 22, 2025. Bill S 198's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. as of January 22, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 198

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 198

Primary Policy Focus

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 198

A bill to impose sanctions with respect to the system of compensation of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority that supports acts of terrorism.