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[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.
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