1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Foreign Assistance Accountability Act of 2014”.
Foreign Assistance Accountability Act of 2014
A BILL
To suspend the provision of United States foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority, and for other purposes.
2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
Since fiscal year 2008, the annual regular-year United States bilateral assistance to the West Bank and Gaza Strip has averaged approximately $500 million per fiscal year, including annual averages of approximately $200 million in direct budgetary assistance and $100 million in non-lethal security assistance for the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
The Government Accountability Office has found some glaring insufficiencies in the vetting process of the foreign aid grants to the Palestinian Authority and as such it is very easy for United States foreign aid dollars to be used to provide a monthly stipend for accused terrorists.
The Palestinian Authority Government Resolutions 21 and 23 (2010) codified into law a longstanding Palestinian Authority practice of providing a monthly salary to “anyone imprisoned in the occupation’s [Israel’s] prisons as a result of his participation in the struggle against the occupation.”.
According to the Palestinian Authority’s definition, more than 4,500 Palestinian prisoners as of December 2012 are serving time for terror-related offenses and are recipients of salaries allocated from the Palestinian Authority’s general salary budget that range from 2,400 to 12,000 shekels ($680 to $3,400) per month.
3. Suspension of United States foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority
Suspension— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall suspend the provision of United States foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority.
Reinstatement—
In general— The President may reinstate the provision of United States foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority that is suspended under subsection (a) if the President determines that the Palestinian Authority has taken sufficient action to stop providing funds or rewards to terrorist organizations and working with terrorist organizations, including Hamas.
Consultation— The President shall consult with Congress regarding the matters described in paragraph (1) prior to making a determination under paragraph (1).
4. Report
The President shall submit to Congress on an annual basis a report on matters relating to this Act, including documentation on the extent to which the Palestinian Authority works with or otherwise supports terrorist organizations.