H.R. 8334

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8334 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8334

To provide for the suspension of bilateral and multilateral foreign 
assistance to the Government of Somalia, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 16, 2026

Mr. Jackson of Texas (for himself, Mr. Barr, Mr. Miller of Ohio, Mr. 
Baird, and Mr. Burchett) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the 
Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined 
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as 
fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide for the suspension of bilateral and multilateral foreign 
assistance to the Government of Somalia, 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 ``Taxpayer Protection and Somalia 
Accountability Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the President should direct the heads of appropriate 
Federal agencies to restrict, prevent, or stop the transfer of 
all remittances from individuals or entities in the United 
States to individuals or entities in the Federal Republic of 
Somalia until such time as the President determines--
(A) funds remitted are not United States funds 
disbursed through Federal, State, or local government 
support programs;
(B) the sender of the funds remitted is not 
receiving financial or other support through a Federal, 
State, or local program;
(C) the funds remitted to persons in Somalia are 
not being transferred to officials within the national 
Government of Somalia; and
(D) the funds remitted to individuals or 
beneficiaries in Somalia are not being directed to or 
benefitting foreign terrorist organizations; and
(2) the President should direct the heads of appropriate 
Federal agencies to review all instances of reported or 
suspected acts of fraud, waste, or abuse in United States 
foreign assistance programs in Somalia in which such acts are 
suspected to have been carried out by officials of the national 
Government of Somalia or at their direction or for their 
benefit.

SEC. 3. BRIEFING.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall brief the appropriate 
congressional committees on--
(1) evidence of United States funds being transferred to 
persons or entities within the Federal Republic of Somalia, 
including an identification of individuals who facilitate or 
support the transfer of such funds;
(2) evidence of the remittance system between the United 
States being used to benefit officials of the national 
Government of Somalia; and
(3) evidence of remittances being received or otherwise 
benefitting foreign terrorist organizations or organizations 
benefitting from foreign terrorist organizations.
(b) Form.--The briefing required by this section shall--
(1) be provided in unclassified form; and
(2) include a classified annex as appropriate.

SEC. 4. SUSPENSION OF BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL FOREIGN ASSISTANCE TO 
THE GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA.

(a) Bilateral Assistance.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, no bilateral foreign assistance, including assistance under the 
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act, should 
be provided to the national Government of Somalia only if adequate 
safeguards are in place to mitigate the risk of diversion of such 
assistance.
(b) Multilateral Assistance.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, no contributions or funding to international organizations or 
non-governmental organizations may be used by such organizations for 
the direct benefit or use of the national Government of Somalia.
(c) Waiver.--The Secretary of State may waive the suspension of 
bilateral foreign assistance to the national Government of Somalia 
under subsection (a) on a case-by-case basis if the Secretary certifies 
to the appropriate congressional committees that the provision of such 
assistance is in the national interests of the United States.

SEC. 5. VISA RESTRICTIONS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall apply the 
restrictions under section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign 
Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (division F of 
Public Law 118-47; 8 U.S.C. 1182 note) to any current or former 
official of the national Government of Somalia whom the Secretary has 
information was involved in--
(1) significant corruption related to the diversion of 
United States foreign assistance;
(2) the destruction or seizure of United States-funded 
humanitarian facilities; or
(3) facilitating the provision of United States foreign 
assistance to foreign terrorist organizations.
(b) Inclusion of Diplomatic and G Visas.--The Secretary of State 
may not exempt individuals from the application of the restrictions 
under subsection (a) if such individuals are holders of, or applicants 
for, A-category (Diplomatic) or G-category (International Organization) 
visas if such individuals are determined to be involved in the 
activities described in subsection (a).
(c) Family Members.--The restrictions described in subsection (a) 
shall also be applied to the immediate family members of individuals 
who are determined to be involved in the activities described in 
subsection (a).

SEC. 6. OTHER SANCTIONS.

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the President may impose the sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human 
Rights Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.) with respect to any 
foreign person that the President determines--
(1) is collaborating with the national Government of 
Somalia to engage in corruption or other activities relating to 
the diversion of United States funds intended for the people of 
Somalia; or
(2) has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided 
financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or 
services in support of, corruption or other activities 
described in paragraph (1).

SEC. 7. DEPARTMENT OF STATE REWARDS PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall exercise authority 
under section 36 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act (22 
U.S.C. 2708) to offer rewards for information leading to--
(1) the identification and location of nationals of the 
Federal Republic of Somalia or officials of the national 
Government of Somalia involved in defrauding United States 
Government programs; or
(2) the recovery of assets stolen or defrauded from the 
United States Treasury by Somali-based networks.
(b) Funding.--Rewards under this section--
(1) may be paid from the Emergencies in the Diplomatic and 
Consular Service account; and
(2) may not to exceed $250,000 per reward.

SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act--
(1) the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the 
Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the 
Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
(2) the term ``foreign terrorist organization'' means an 
organization designated by the Secretary of State pursuant to 
section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1189).
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