WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 8236

Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Brian Babin and 14 co-sponsors

Designate CAIR and all chapters as SDGTs, block assets, prohibit U.S. transactions, revoke tax-exempt status, and require a Congress-facing justification report.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8236

Summary of Bill HR 8236 (Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act of 2026)

Scope: U.S. bill introduced in the 119th Congress proposing to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its chapter affiliates as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) and to take related actions under U.S. law.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Main aim: Direct the Secretary of the Treasury to designate CAIR and all its chapters/affiliates as SDGTs under Executive Order 13224.
  • Rationale presented in the findings: CAIR’s alleged associations with Hamas and past involvement of its leaders in Hamas-supporting activities, based on references to past terrorism financing trials (notably the Holy Land Foundation case) and various individual histories of CAIR officials.
  • Policy objective: Allow U.S. authorities to block CAIR’s assets, prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with CAIR, and revoke CAIR’s tax-exempt status, with the broader intent of disrupting alleged support networks for terrorism.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Section 3(a) Designation
    • The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, shall designate CAIR and all its chapters, affiliates, and successors as SDGTs under EO 13224.
  • Section 3(b) Actions Required Upon designation
    • Block all CAIR assets within U.S. jurisdiction.
    • Prohibit any transaction by a U.S. person with CAIR.
    • Add CAIR to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) SDN/Blocked Persons List.
  • Section 3(c) Tax-Exempt Status
    • Suspend CAIR’s tax-exempt status (IRS §501(c)(3)) for CAIR and its chapters/affiliates.
  • Section 4: Report to Congress
    • Within 30 days of enactment, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, with the Attorney General, must provide Congress with:
    • A detailed report on CAIR and the criteria for SDGT designation.
    • If CAIR does not meet the criteria, a detailed justification outlining which criteria are not met.
    • Report format: unclassified with a possible classified annex; electronic form only unless a printed copy is requested by a legislative office.
  • Definitions and scope
    • “ CAIR ” includes the main organization and all its chapters/affiliates, plus successors.
    • References to Executive Order 13224 for the legal framework governing SDGT designation and asset blocking.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • Primary Target:
    • CAIR and all its chapters, affiliates, and successors.
  • Economic/Financial Effects:
    • Blocking of CAIR assets in U.S. jurisdiction.
    • Prohibition on transactions between U.S. persons and CAIR.
    • OFAC designation could extend to secondary sanctions considerations.
  • Tax Status:
    • Revocation or suspension of CAIR’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
  • Reporting/Oversight:
    • Mandatory congressional reporting with criteria-based justification if designation is not pursued.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral:
    • Introduced April 9, 2026; referred to House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Ways and Means for consideration.
  • Designation Timeline:
    • If enacted, designation would occur under EO 13224 in coordination with the State and Attorney General.
  • Reporting Deadline:
    • A comprehensive report to Congress required within 30 days after enactment.
  • Compliance and Enforcement:
    • Actions would follow standard SDGT designation procedures, including asset freezes and prohibitions on U.S. persons’ dealings.

5) Notable Context

  • The bill relies on a series of findings about CAIR’s alleged historical ties to Hamas, including references to trials, individuals’ histories, and prior government actions.
  • It builds on U.S. Treasury/OFAC tools to prohibit support to designated entities and revoke tax-exempt status, aligning with broader national-security objectives as framed by the sponsors.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to existing SDGT designation processes or provide a timeline for potential implementation steps should the bill progress.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.