Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1164, the Taylor Force Act, legislation Arrington cosponsored that would prohibit U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority until the State Department certifies that they are:
taking credible steps to end violence against United States and Israeli citizens that are perpetrated by individuals under its jurisdictional control;
publicly condemning such acts of violence and is taking steps to investigate or is cooperating in investigations of such acts to bring the perpetrators to justice; and
has terminated payments for acts of terrorism against United States and Israeli citizens to any individual who has been imprisoned after being fairly tried and convicted for such acts of terrorism and to any individual who died committing such acts of terrorism, including to a family member of such individuals.”
The bill’s namesake, Taylor Force, was a 28-year-old Lubbock native, U.S. Army veteran, and MBA student who was killed by a terrorist while studying abroad in Israel last year.
“Taylor Force was a bright, outstanding Lubbock native with a heart for service, whose life was taken too soon at the hands of a terrorist. As if his senseless death was not difficult enough to accept, the family of the terrorist who committed this heinous murder was rewarded by the Palestinian Authority with a pension for life, amounting to three times the average yearly salary in that region.“For too long, the Palestinian Authority - supported with U.S. taxpayer money - has taken part in this despicable practice. However, with the passage of our legislation, today marks the beginning of its end. “It’s illogical and immoral to give foreign aid to countries who support terrorism. America should lead by example. Sending this legislation to the President’s desk will honor Taylor’s memory and hold those who support terrorism accountable.”
For more background information on the Taylor Force Act, click here.
