Florida Rep. Greg Steube Introduces PAGER Act To Block U.S. Funding From Reaching Hezbollah
TAMPA FREE PRESS — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced the Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Radicalism (PAGER) Act, aimed at stopping U.S. taxpayer dollars from being funneled to Hezbollah through the Lebanese government.
“We cannot, in good conscience, continue sending U.S. taxpayer dollars to Lebanon when they are complicit in empowering a terrorist organization whose primary mission is to destroy America and Israel. Hezbollah is propped up by the Iranian regime, and responsible for countless attacks against our ally Israel and responsible for killing hundreds of Americans during the horrific attacks on our Beirut Marine Barracks and our U.S. Embassy in 1983,” said Rep. Steube.
“For two years, I filed an amendment to the annual State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill to eliminate funding to the Lebanese Armed Forces, as the money goes to Hezbollah. Republicans and Democrats continue to vote it down. Every dollar funneled to Lebanon is another resource aiding Hezbollah’s operations, undermining regional stability, and threatening Israel’s security. My legislation ensures our foreign assistance aligns with American interests in the region and our foreign policies don’t indirectly harm our ally, Israel. No U.S. taxpayer dollars should ever get into the hands of Hezbollah,” Steube said.
The PAGER Act stipulates that no federal funds be appropriated to the Lebanese Armed Forces unless the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that several safeguards are met, including:
- The Lebanese government no longer recognizes or appoints ministers from Hezbollah or pro-Iranian groups like Amal.
- Hezbollah no longer maintains a presence in Lebanon, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for the disbandment and disarmament of militias.
- The Lebanese Armed Forces cease all coordination with Hezbollah or any foreign terrorist organization and Iran.
- Any Iranian-supplied weapons in Lebanon are destroyed.
- Lebanese courts dismiss charges against Americans who have spoken out against Hezbollah’s influence, including American journalists.
The bill also withholds U.S. support to the UN agency providing bonuses and luxury goods to Lebanese military generals and security forces and mandates biannual reports to Congress from the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and CIA Director on Hezbollah and Iran’s influence in Lebanon.
The legislation has received support from key organizations, including The American Mideast Coalition for Democracy and The Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET).
EMET’s President Sarah N. Stern also praised the bill, stating, “For years, the Lebanese Armed Forces have been eroded to a point where they are no longer a real army, but rather a rubber stamp for Hezbollah’s terrorist activities. This is especially true along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel, where Hezbollah has been acting with complete impunity since October 8th, firing missiles and UAVs directed at Israeli civilian communities. EMET applauds this important bill that will finally demonstrate that the United States can no longer serve to appropriate funding without any accountability or oversight.”
The Republican Study Committee (RSC) supports the legislation.
