S. 1126: Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act

This bill, titled the "Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act," aims to impose sanctions on a group called the Popular Resistance Committees and related entities in response to their involvement in terrorist activities, specifically following the attacks on October 7, 2023. The following key points summarize the main provisions of the bill:

Findings

The bill includes a section detailing findings that justify the imposition of sanctions, such as:

• The Popular Resistance Committees have conducted multiple terrorist attacks targeting Israelis, Americans, and Palestinians since their formation in 2000.
• Members of this group include operatives from other designated terrorist organizations like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
• The group was involved in a notable attack in 2003 against a U.S. diplomatic convoy, among several other violent incidents.
• On October 7, 2023, they participated in a coordinated attack against Israel, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages.

Imposition of Sanctions

After the enactment of this Act, the President is required to impose specified sanctions against:

• The Popular Resistance Committees.
• Any foreign individuals or groups connected to the Committees, including officials and affiliates.
• Any entities controlled by or acting in support of the Committees.
• Any current or future armed groups linked to the Popular Resistance Committees.

Details of Sanctions

The sanctions described in the bill include several critical measures:

• Blocking Property: The President is authorized to block transactions involving the property of sanctioned individuals or entities within the United States.
• Immigration Restrictions: Individuals known or believed to be affiliated with the Popular Resistance Committees will be barred from entering the United States, and any existing visas will be revoked.
• Penalties: Violations of these sanctions will incur penalties as defined in existing laws regarding economic powers related to terrorism.

Exceptions and Waivers

The bill outlines exceptions, including:

• Sanctions will not apply if admitting a person is necessary to fulfill U.S. obligations to the United Nations.
• The President can waive the application of sanctions for national security interests, with a required 15-day notice to Congress.

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of State is mandated to report to Congress on:

• Whether the Popular Resistance Committees and a group called Lions' Den meet the criteria to be designated as global terrorists within 90 days of enactment.
• Ongoing assessments every two years regarding entities operating under the influence of the Popular Resistance Committees.

Definitions

The bill also provides definitions for important terms like "foreign terrorist organization," "foreign person," and "entity," which clarify those who would be affected by the sanctions.

Relevant Companies

None found