No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5574 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5574
To support Lebanon's rule of law and democratic institutions through
sanctions, grants, and scholarships, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 17 (legislative day, December 16), 2024
Mr. Cardin (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, and Mr. Reed) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To support Lebanon's rule of law and democratic institutions through
sanctions, grants, and scholarships, 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 TITLES; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Titles.--This Act may be cited as the ``Preventing the
Undermining of Lebanon's Sovereignty and Economy Act'' or the ``PULSE
Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short titles; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 3. Statement of policy.
Sec. 4. Codification of certain sanctions with respect to persons
undermining the sovereignty of Lebanon or
its democratic processes and institutions.
Sec. 5. Sanctions with respect to certain foreign persons that
undermine democratic institutions or
processes in Lebanon.
Sec. 6. Authorization of humanitarian and development assistance for
Lebanon.
Sec. 7. Authorization of appropriations for security assistance to the
Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal
Security Forces Directorate.
Sec. 8. Authorization of appropriations for incentive fund for the
reconstruction of Lebanese Government
services and infrastructure.
Sec. 9. Lokman Slim Excellence in Lebanese Investigative Journalism
Award.
Sec. 10. Countering the production and trafficking of captagon from and
through Lebanon.
Sec. 11. Livelihood and scholarship assistance to the Lebanese Armed
Forces and the Internal Security Forces
Directorate.
Sec. 12. Education for Lebanese host communities.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) political and economic stability in Lebanon is
important for regional stability and the national security of
the United States;
(2) continuing security assistance to the Lebanese Armed
Forces and Internal Security Forces Directorate is--
(A) vital to Lebanese and regional stability and
security; and
(B) in the national security interest of the United
States;
(3) the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security
Forces of Lebanon are the legitimate guarantors of Lebanese
sovereignty and security;
(4) the implementation of United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1701 (2006) is vital to Lebanese security and
sovereignty, Israeli security, and stability throughout the
region;
(5) the selection of a president, in accordance with the
rules set forth in the Constitution of Lebanon, is critical to
the economic and political stability of Lebanon;
(6) Politicians aligned with Hezbollah have undermined
Lebanon's democracy by failing to hold special sessions of
parliament long enough to select a president;
(7) the Government of Lebanon must implement economic
reforms mandated by the International Monetary Fund as soon as
possible, including capital controls that are applicable to all
Lebanese citizens;
(8) members of the Parliament of Lebanon who undermine
Lebanese democracy by preventing the selection of a president
should be subject to sanctions from the United States;
(9) the production and trafficking of captagon in and
through Lebanon enriches criminal gangs and terrorists,
including Hezbollah, at the expense of regional stability and
Lebanese exports;
(10) supporting Lebanese host communities alongside Syrian
refugees is important for the health and well-being of both
communities; and
(11) those responsible for the August 4, 2020 explosion at
the Port of Beirut must be held accountable through--
(A) a timely and unobstructed investigation by
Judge Tarek Bitar; or
(B) an independent outside investigation under the
auspices of the United Nations.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to support Lebanon's rule of law and democratic
institutions by advocating for the timely selection of a
president and government that are free from corruption in a
process that is in accordance with the Constitution of Lebanon,
including by continuing to impose sanctions on foreign persons
who have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Lebanon;
(2) to support the aspirations of the Lebanese people to
live--
(A) in peace, security, and prosperity; and
(B) free from the influence of Iran and terrorist
groups, such as Hezbollah, which have sought for
decades to shape the security and political dynamics
within Lebanon;
(3) to assist the full implementation of United Nations
Security Council Resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1701 (2006),
including by increasing the capacity of the Lebanese Armed
Forces to work with the appropriate United Nations monitoring
missions to ensure the removal of weapons from non-state groups
in designated areas;
(4) to counter--
(A) the build-up of rockets in southern Lebanon by
Hezbollah and other Iranian proxy forces, such as Hamas
and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad; and
(B) the placement of such rockets in and among the
civilian population of southern Lebanon;
(5) to support and build the capacity of the Lebanese Armed
Forces and the Internal Security Forces Directorate as the
defenders of Lebanon's territory and sovereignty, including
through the continuing provision of security and livelihood
assistance;
(6) to support Syrian refugee and Lebanese host communities
in Lebanon through the provision of economic and humanitarian
assistance;
(7) to support and strengthen civilian state institutions,
infrastructure, and the provision of government services for
all the Lebanese people, regardless of religion, sect, or
ethnicity;
(8) to support the independence of Lebanese state
institutions from non-state actors and malign foreign
influence;
(9) to increase the capacity of Lebanese state institutions
to counter the production and trafficking of captagon in and
through Lebanese territory;
(10) to support efforts to hold accountable those
responsible for the August 4, 2020 explosion at the Port of
Beirut; and
(11) to support Lebanese civil society, including
independent journalism and investigative journalists.
SEC. 4. CODIFICATION OF CERTAIN SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PERSONS
UNDERMINING THE SOVEREIGNTY OF LEBANON OR ITS DEMOCRATIC
PROCESSES AND INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Agricultural commodity.--The term ``agricultural
commodity'' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of
the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Financial Services of the
House of Representatives.
(3) Good.--The term ``good'' means any article, natural or
manmade substance, material, supply, or manufactured product,
including inspection and test equipment, and excluding
technical data.
(4) Medical device.--The term ``medical device'' has the
meaning given the term ``device'' in section 201 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(5) Medicine.--The term ``medicine'' has the meaning given
the term ``drug'' in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(b) In General.--Each person listed or designated for the
imposition of sanctions under Executive Order 13441 (50 U.S.C. 1701
note; relating to blocking property of persons undermining the
sovereignty of Lebanon or its democratic processes and institutions) as
of the date of the enactment of this Act shall remain so designated
except as provided in subsections (c) and (d).
(c) Exceptions.--
(1) Exception relating to importation of goods.--A
requirement to block and prohibit all transactions in all
property and interests in property pursuant to sanctions under
subsection (b) shall not include the authority or a requirement
to impose sanctions on the importation of goods.
(2) Exception to comply with the united nations
headquarters agreement and law enforcement activities.--
Sanctions under subsection (b) shall not apply with respect to
the admission of an alien to the United States if admitting or
paroling the alien into the United States is necessary--
(A) to permit the United States to comply with the
Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United
Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and
entered into force November 21, 1947, between the
United Nations and the United States, or other
applicable international obligations of the United
States; or
(B) to carry out or assist authorized law
enforcement activity in the United States.
(3) Exception to comply with intelligence activities.--
Sanctions under subsection (b) shall not apply with respect
to--
(A) any activity subject to the reporting
requirements under title V of the National Security Act
of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.); or
(B) any authorized intelligence activities of the
United States.
(4) Humanitarian assistance.--Sanctions under subsection
(b) shall not apply with respect to--
(A) the conduct or facilitation of a transaction
for the provision of agricultural commodities, food,
medicine, medical devices, or humanitarian assistance,
or for humanitarian purposes; or
(B) transactions that are necessary for, or related
to, the activities described in subparagraph (A).
(d) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may terminate the
application of sanctions under subsection (b) with respect to a person
if the President certifies to the appropriate committees of Congress
that--
(1) such person--
(A) is not engaging in the activity that was the
basis for such sanctions; or
(B) has taken significant, verifiable steps toward
stopping the activity that was the basis for such
sanctions; and
(2) the President has received reliable assurances that
such person will not knowingly engage in any activity subject
to sanctions in the future.
SEC. 5. SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FOREIGN PERSONS THAT
UNDERMINE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS OR PROCESSES IN
LEBANON.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Admission; admitted; alien; lawfully admitted for
permanent residence.--The terms ``admission'', ``admitted'',
``alien'', and ``lawfully admitted for permanent residence''
have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).
(2) Agricultural commodity.--The term ``agricultural
commodity'' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of
the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
(3) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Financial Services of the
House of Representatives.
(4) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means an
individual or entity that is not a United States person.
(5) Good.--The term ``good'' means any article, natural or
manmade substance, material, supply, or manufactured product,
including inspection and test equipment, and excluding
technical data.
(6) Medical device.--The term ``medical device'' has the
meaning given the term ``device'' in section 201 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(7) Medicine.--The term ``medicine'' has the meaning given
the term ``drug'' in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(8) United states person.--The term ``United States
person'' means--
(A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully
admitted for permanent residence to the United States;
(B) an entity organized under the laws of the
United States or any jurisdiction within the United
States, including a foreign branch of such an entity;
or
(C) any person located in the United States.
(b) Imposition of Sanctions.--
(1) In general.--Beginning on the date that is 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President
shall impose the sanctions described in subsection (c) with
respect to a foreign person that the President determines--
(A) knowingly engages, on or after such date of
enactment, in an activity described in paragraph (2)
that significantly undermines the Government of Lebanon
from operating consistent with the rule of law and
democratic procedures;
(B) is an adult family member of a foreign person
described in subparagraph (A), unless the President
determines there is credible information that such
adult family member has disassociated himself or
herself from such foreign person; or
(C) is owned or controlled by a foreign person
described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Activities described.--A foreign person engages in an
activity described in this paragraph if the foreign person--
(A) is a senior member of the Lebanese Parliament
who undermines the rule of law and democratic
institutions in the Republic of Lebanon by interfering
with or otherwise delaying a special parliamentary
session for the purpose of nominating and selecting a
President of the Republic of Lebanon when that action
is intended to block a known consensus candidate for
President with the intent to--
(i) deny such a session a quorum as
required in article 49 of the Lebanese
constitution; and
(ii) prevent a simple majority vote to
select a President of the Republic of Lebanon
in accordance with article 49 of the Lebanese
constitution; or
(B) undermines the rule of law in the Republic of
Lebanon by delaying or otherwise inhibiting lawful
investigations, including an investigation into the
August 4, 2020, explosion of the Port of Beirut.
(c) Sanctions Described.--
(1) Blocking of property.--The President shall exercise all
of the powers granted to the President under the International
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the
extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in
property and interests in property of a foreign person
described in subsection (b) if such property and interests in
property are in the United States, come within the United
States, or are or come within the possession or control of a
United States person.
(2) Ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole.--
(A) Visas, admission, or parole.--An alien
described in subsection (b) is--
(i) inadmissible to the United States;
(ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other
documentation to enter the United States; and
(iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted
or paroled into the United States or to receive
any other benefit under the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(B) Current visas revoked.--
(i) In general.--An alien described in
subsection (b) is subject to revocation of any
visa or other entry documentation regardless of
when the visa or other entry documentation is
or was issued.
(ii) Immediate effect.--A revocation under
clause (i) shall--
(I) take effect immediately; and
(II) automatically cancel any other
valid visa or entry documentation that
is in the possession of the alien.
(d) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to violate,
conspires to violate, or causes a violation of this section or any
regulation, license, or order issued to carry out this section shall be
subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of
section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful
act described in subsection (a) of such section.
(e) Exceptions.--
(1) Exception relating to importation of goods.--A
requirement to block and prohibit all transactions in all
property and interests in property pursuant to sanctions under
subsection (b) shall not include the authority or a requirement
to impose sanctions on the importation of goods.
(2) Exception to comply with the united nations
headquarters agreement and law enforcement activities.--
Sanctions under subsection (b) shall not apply with respect to
the admission of an alien to the United States if admitting or
paroling the alien into the United States is necessary--
(A) to permit the United States to comply with the
Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United
Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and
entered into force November 21, 1947, between the
United Nations and the United States, or other
applicable international obligations of the United
States; or
(B) to carry out or assist authorized law
enforcement activity in the United States.
(3) Exception to comply with intelligence activities.--
Sanctions under subsection (b) shall not apply with respect
to--
(A) any activity subject to the reporting
requirements under title V of the National Security Act
of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.); or
(B) any authorized intelligence activities of the
United States.
(4) Humanitarian assistance.--Sanctions under subsection
(b) shall not apply with respect to--
(A) the conduct or facilitation of a transaction
for the provision of agricultural commodities, food,
medicine, medical devices, or humanitarian assistance,
or for humanitarian purposes; or
(B) transactions that are necessary for, or related
to, the activities described in subparagraph (A).
(f) National Interest Waiver.--The President may waive the
application of sanctions under subsection (b) with respect to a foreign
person if the President determines and reports to the appropriate
committees of Congress, not later than 15 days before such waiver is to
take effect, that the waiver is in the national interest of the United
States.
(g) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may terminate the
application of sanctions under subsection (b) with respect to a foreign
person if the President certifies to the appropriate committees of
Congress that--
(1) such person--
(A) is not engaging in the activity that was the
basis for such sanctions; or
(B) has taken significant, verifiable steps toward
stopping the activity that was the basis for such
sanctions; and
(2) the President has received reliable assurances that
such person will not knowingly engage in any activity subject
to sanctions in the future.
(h) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective beginning on
the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FOR
LEBANON.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the people of Lebanon have hosted an estimated
1,500,000 Syrian refugees since the Syrian civil war began in
2011, sheltering them from the brutality of the Assad regime
and its Russian and Iranian enablers;
(2) the chronic nature of the Syrian conflict and the
inability of Syrian refugees to safely return home has strained
the Lebanese economy and the services provided by the
Government of Lebanon;
(3) the people of Lebanon have been severely harmed by the
combination of the Lebanese financial crisis and the Port of
Beirut explosion on August 4, 2020, making them even more
vulnerable during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah;
and
(4) more than 1,000,000 civilians in Lebanon have been
internally displaced due to the recent fighting with
insufficient time to develop a coordinated humanitarian
response.
(b) Authorization of Assistance.--The Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development and the Secretary of State
should continue to support humanitarian and development assistance for
displaced individuals and host communities in Lebanon, including--
(1) health assistance, including logistical and technical
assistance to hospitals, ambulances, and health clinics in
affected communities, and the provision of basic public health
commodities;
(2) services, such as medicines and medical supplies and
equipment;
(3) assistance to provide--
(A) protection, food, and shelter; and
(B) water, sanitation, and hygiene (collectively
referred to as ``WASH''); and
(4) technical assistance to ensure health, food, and
commodities are appropriately selected, procured, targeted,
monitored, and distributed.
(c) Strategy.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, shall submit a strategy to the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
House of Representatives that describes--
(1) how the United States, working with relevant foreign
governments, multilateral organizations, and nongovernmental
organizations, will address the humanitarian situation in
Lebanon;
(2) diplomatic efforts carried out by the United States
Government to encourage strategic burden sharing and the
coordination of donations with international donors, including
foreign governments and multilateral organizations, to advance
the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of
Lebanon, especially internally displaced people; and
(3) how the United States Government is--
(A) mitigating risk of diversion or benefit to non-
state armed groups in Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah;
and
(B) ensuring effective delivery of assistance.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO THE
LEBANESE ARMED FORCES AND THE INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES
DIRECTORATE.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of State, for each of the fiscal years 2025
through 2029, in addition to amounts already authorized to be
appropriated for such purposes and in addition to any amounts
authorized or appropriated by any other Act of Congress for
such purposes--
(A) $75,000,000 for Foreign Military Financing;
(B) $10,00,000 for International Narcotics Control
and Law Enforcement;
(C) $4,000,000 for Nonproliferation, Anti-
terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs; and
(D) $1,000,000 International Military Education and
Training.
(2) Use of funds.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall be used by the Secretary of State to build
the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal
Security Forces Directorate, including by--
(A) countering Iranian proxy forces operating in
Lebanon, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian
Islamic Jihad;
(B) fully implementing all relevant United Nations
Security Council resolutions; and
(C) countering and interdicting captagon production
and trafficking in Lebanon.
(b) Briefing Required.--Not later than 15 days before the
obligation of any funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a), the
Secretary of State shall brief the Committee on Foreign Relations of
the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives regarding--
(1) the steps taken during the previous year by the
Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces
Directorate to counter Iranian proxy forces operating in
Lebanon, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic
Jihad;
(2) the steps taken during the previous year by the
Lebanese Armed Forces, in cooperation with the United Nations
Interim Force in Lebanon, to implement its mission under the
terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701
(2006);
(3) the steps taken during the previous year by Lebanese
security institutions to counter the production and trafficking
of captagon in Lebanon;
(4) how the production and trafficking of captagon has
harmed the Lebanese economy and benefitted Hezbollah and
whether Hezbollah is actively engaged in the production and
trafficking of captagon;
(5) how United States assistance created or augmented the
capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal
Security Forces Directorate to undertake the steps described in
paragraphs (1) through (3);
(6) how the assistance authorized under subsection (a) will
further improve the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces
and the Internal Security Forces Directorate to counter Iranian
proxy forces operating in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, Hamas,
and Palestinian Islamic Jihad; and
(7) how the assistance authorized under subsection (a) will
further increase the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces to
partner with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon to
implement the terms of United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1701 (2006).
(c) Transfer Authority.--
(1) Department of defense funds.--Subject to paragraphs (2)
and (3), during fiscal years 2025 and 2026, amounts
appropriated to the Department of Defense for purposes
described in title 10, United States Code may be transferred by
the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of
State, to the Foreign Military Financing Program to directly
benefit the Government of Lebanon, in accordance with
procedures established for reprogramming under section 1001 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024
(Public Law 118-31; 137 Stat. 378 et seq.) and any relevant
successor provisions of law.
(2) Use of funds.--Amounts transferred to the Foreign
Military Financing Program pursuant to paragraph shall be
prioritized for building the capacity of the Lebanese Armed
Forces and the Internal Security Forces Directorate, including
by fully implementing all relevant United Nations Security
Council resolutions.
(3) Limitation.--The total amount of funds transferred by
the Department of Defense to the Foreign Military Financing
Program in any fiscal year may not exceed $400,000,000.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR INCENTIVE FUND FOR THE
RECONSTRUCTION OF LEBANESE GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND
INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) Authorization of Funds.--In addition to amounts already
authorized to be appropriated for such purposes and in addition to any
amounts authorized or appropriated by any other Act of Congress for
such purposes, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
of State, for each of the fiscal years 2025 through 2029, $50,000,000,
which shall be expended for--
(1) the reconstruction of services and institutions of the
Government of Lebanon and of municipal governments in Lebanon;
and
(2) the building and rebuilding of civilian infrastructure
in Lebanon.
(b) Report Required.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection
(a) may not be obligated or expended unless the Secretary of State
submits an annual written report to the Committee on Foreign Relations
of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives--
(1) certifying that--
(A) the expenditure of such amounts will not
directly benefit Hezbollah;
(B) any civilian infrastructure rebuilt with such
amounts has not and will not be used to shelter weapons
belonging to Hezbollah, or other non-state armed groups
in Lebanon, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic
Jihad;
(C) accounting, monitoring, evaluation and
oversight procedures are in place to prevent the
diversion of such amounts to Hezbollah, other non-state
armed groups in Lebanon, or affiliates of Hezbollah or
any such group;
(D) such amounts are being used for the purposes
for which they were obligated; and
(E) the United States Government is taking
significant steps to encourage donations for similar
purposes from other countries and entities, including
Japan, the United Kingdom, the European Union and its
member states, and the member states of the Gulf
Cooperation Council; and
(2) describing--
(A) the manner and nature of Hezbollah's
participation in the Government of Lebanon and in
municipal governments in Lebanon, including a
description of any ministries and municipal governments
that are controlled by Hezbollah, are led by members of
Hezbollah, or employ significant numbers of Hezbollah
members;
(B) the steps taken during the previous year to
prevent United States Government assistance, including
the amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to
subsection (a), from being used by ministries of the
Government of Lebanon or municipal governments in
Lebanon that are controlled by Hezbollah, are led by
members of Hezbollah, or employ significant numbers of
Hezbollah members;
(C) the steps that will be taken during the next
year to prevent United States Government assistance,
including the amounts authorized to be appropriated
pursuant to subsection (a), from being used by the
Government of Lebanon or municipal governments in
Lebanon that are controlled by Hezbollah, are led by
members of Hezbollah, or employ significant numbers of
Hezbollah members;
(D) which ministries and municipal governments are
not controlled by Hezbollah, are not led by members of
Hezbollah, and do not employ significant numbers of
Hezbollah members and are eligible to receive United
States Government assistance, including the amounts
authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection
(a) and how such amounts will be used to support or
reconstruct the institutions of such ministries and
municipalities and the services they provide;
(E) the steps that will be taken during the next
year to prevent civilian infrastructure from being used
to shelter weapons used by Hezbollah, Hamas,
Palestinian Islamic Jihad or any other non-stated armed
group in Lebanon;
(F) the steps taken during the previous year to
prevent civilian infrastructure from being used to
shelter weapons used by Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian
Islamic Jihad or any other non-stated armed group in
Lebanon;
(G) the accounting, monitoring, evaluation and
oversight procedures implemented during the previous
year to prevent the diversion of the United States
Government assistance, including the amounts authorized
to be appropriated pursuant to subsection (a), to
Hezbollah or other non-state armed groups in Lebanon or
their affiliates and to ensure such amounts are being
used for the purposes for which they were obligated;
(H) the accounting, monitoring, evaluation and
oversight procedures that will be implemented during
the next year to prevent the diversion of the United
States Government assistance, including the amounts
authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection
(a), to Hezbollah or other non-state armed groups in
Lebanon or their affiliates and that such amounts are
being used for the purposes for which they were
obligated; and
(I) the steps taken by the United States Government
to encourage donations from other countries for similar
purposes, which countries have donated for similar
purposes, and the amounts of such donations.
(c) Form.--The report required under subsection (b) shall be
unclassified, but may include a classified annex that is submitted to
Congress separately from the unclassified portion.
SEC. 9. LOKMAN SLIM EXCELLENCE IN LEBANESE INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM
AWARD.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) On February 3, 2021, prominent Lebanese activist and
journalist Lokman Slim was found murdered in the Hezbollah-
controlled Al Zahrani district.
(2) Mr. Slim was a strong critic of Hezbollah and faced
harassment and threats from Hezbollah and Hezbollah-aligned
groups.
(3) Mr. Slim devoted his life to bringing about positive
change in Lebanon and bravely pushed for justice,
accountability, and rule of law.
(4) Despite promises by former President Michel Aoun and
other Lebanese Government officials, Mr. Slim's killer has not
been found and a credible investigation into his murder has not
been launched by Lebanese Government authorities.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Award.--The term ``Award'' means the award established
pursuant to subsection (c).
(c) Establishment of Award.--The Secretary of State is authorized
to establish an award, which shall be known as the ``Lokman Slim
Excellence in Lebanese Investigative Journalism Award'', for
extraordinary efforts in investigative journalism inside Lebanon,
including in the face of harassment, detention, prosecution, or
obstruction.
(d) Presentation of Award.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretary of State shall annually present the Award to not more than 3
individuals or organizations that are--
(1) United States citizens or foreign nationals engaged in
investigative journalism focused on Lebanon; or
(2) United States or foreign private or nongovernmental
organizations engaged in investigative journalism focused on
Lebanon.
(e) Selection.--The Secretary of State shall establish procedures
for selecting recipients of the Award.
(f) Report.--The Secretary of State shall submit an annual report
to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that--
(1) lists the Award recipients for such year; and
(2) includes an explanation of each recipient's selection
according to the procedures authorized under subsection (e).
(g) Ceremony.--The Secretary of State should host an annual
ceremony for recipients of the Award as soon as practicable after the
date on which the Secretary submits the report required under
subsection (f). The Secretary of State may pay the travel costs of each
Award recipient and a guest of each Award recipient who attends such
ceremony.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated, for each of the fiscal years 2025 through 2029, such sums
as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 10. COUNTERING THE PRODUCTION AND TRAFFICKING OF CAPTAGON FROM AND
THROUGH LEBANON.
(a) Program To Build the Capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces and
the Internal Security Forces Directorate With Respect to Captagon.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 660 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2420), the Secretary of State
shall establish a program to provide assistance to strengthen
the capacity of Lebanese security institutions to identify,
track, and improve their forensics detection capabilities with
respect to captagon.
(2) Program requirements.--The program required under
paragraph (1)--
(A) shall be limited to individuals who have
expertise and experience in matters described in
paragraph (1); and
(B) may be carried out, in the case of inbound
exchanges, as part of exchange programs and
international visitor programs administered by the
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the
Department of State, including the International
Visitor Leadership Program, in coordination with the
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
Affairs.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of State, in addition to amounts already
authorized or appropriated for such purposes and in addition to any
amounts authorized or appropriated by any other Act of Congress, for
each of the fiscal years 2025 through 2029, $5,000,000 for
International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, which shall be
used to carry out subsection (a).
SEC. 11. LIVELIHOOD AND SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE TO THE LEBANESE ARMED
FORCES AND THE INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES DIRECTORATE.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) Peacekeeping.--There is authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary of State, in addition to amounts already
authorized or appropriated for such purposes and in addition to
any amounts authorized or appropriated by any other Act of
Congress, for each of the fiscal years 2025 through 2027,
$10,000,000 for Peacekeeping Operations, which shall be used to
help pay the salaries of members of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
(2) Law enforcement.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of State, in addition to amounts
already authorized or appropriated for such purposes and in
addition to any amounts authorized or appropriated by any other
Act of Congress, for each of the fiscal years 2025 through
2027, $5,000,000 for International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement, which shall be used to help pay the salaries of
members of the Internal Security Forces Directorate.
(3) Economic support.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of State, in addition to amounts
already authorized or appropriated for such purposes and in
addition to any amounts authorized or appropriated by any other
Act of Congress, for fiscal year 2025, $2,000,000 for Economic
Support Funds, which shall be used to help pay undergraduate
tuition for the children of members of the Lebanese Armed
Forces attending campuses of United States universities that
are based in Lebanon.
(b) Report Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later that 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit
a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives that describes the effect of the amounts
appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) on the retention and
readiness of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal
Security Forces Directorate.
(2) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified
annex.
SEC. 12. EDUCATION FOR LEBANESE HOST COMMUNITIES.
(a) Authorization of Funds for Higher Education in Lebanon.--There
is authorized to be appropriated, for each of the fiscal years 2025
through 2027, in addition to amounts already authorized and
appropriated for such purposes, in addition to amounts already
authorized or appropriated for such purposes and in addition to any
amounts authorized or appropriated by any other Act of Congress,
$15,000,000 in Economic Support Funds, which shall be used to support
universities in Lebanon that are patterned after United States
universities.
(b) Authorization of Funds for Lebanese Primary and Secondary
School Education.--There is authorized to be appropriated, for each of
the fiscal years 2025 through 2027, in addition to amounts already
authorized or appropriated for such purposes and in addition to any
amounts authorized or appropriated by any other Act of Congress,
$20,000,000 in Economic Support Funds, which shall be used to support
primary and secondary education for Lebanese host communities in
Lebanon.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
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