Countering Hizballah in Lebanon’s Military Act of 2019

Countering Hizbollah in Lebanon's Military Act of 2019

This bill limits the use of security assistance funds for Lebanon until certain conditions are met. Specifically, 20% of funds appropriated or made available for such security assistance may not be obligated or expended until the President certifies to Congress that (1) the Lebanese Armed Forces have taken measurable steps to limit or expel Hezbollah-influenced military personnel that have significant influence over the Lebanese Armed Forces' policies or activities, (2) activities of the Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm Hezbollah demonstrate a serious commitment to fulfill United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 calling for such disarmament, and (3) the Lebanese Armed Forces have not cooperated or partnered with Hezbollah during the last year.

The President may waive the first two requirements if it is in U.S. national security interest to do so.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3331 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3331

  To restrict security assistance to Lebanon, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 18, 2019

Mr. Zeldin (for himself and Mrs. Luria) introduced the following bill; 
         which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To restrict security assistance to Lebanon, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Countering Hizballah in Lebanon's 
Military Act of 2019''.

SEC. 2. REPORT ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEBANESE ARMED FORCES AND 
              HIZBALLAH.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a report to 
Congress--
            (1) identifying all military officers, commanders, 
        advisors, officials, or other personnel with significant 
        influence over the policies or activities of the Lebanese Armed 
        Forces who are members of, paid by, or significantly influenced 
        by Hizballah; and
            (2) describing military activities conducted by the 
        Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm Hizballah pursuant to United 
        Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701 (2006).
    (b) Form.--The report required by section (a) shall be submitted in 
an unclassified form but may have a classified annex.

SEC. 3. RESTRICTION ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made 
available for security assistance for the Government of Lebanon for a 
fiscal year, 20 percent may not be obligated or expended for such 
purpose until the President certifies to Congress that--
            (1) the Lebanese Armed Forces has taken measurable steps in 
        the last year to limit the influence or expel anyone identified 
        pursuant to section 2(a)(1);
            (2) the activities described pursuant to section 2(a)(2) 
        demonstrate a serious commitment by the Lebanese Armed Forces 
        to fulfill its obligation to disarm Hizballah pursuant to UNSCR 
        1701; and
            (3) the Lebanese Armed Forces have not cooperated, 
        coordinated, or partnered with Hizballah in any operation, 
        campaign, or military exercise during the last year.
    (b) National Security Waiver.--The President may waive the 
certification requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection 
(a) if the President certifies to Congress that it is in the national 
security interest of the United States.
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