Countering Hezbollah in Lebanon's Military Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1886
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2019-06-18
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Foreign aid and international relief

Lebanon

Middle East

Military assistance, sales, and agreements

Military command and structure

Military education and training

Military operations and strategy

Military personnel and dependents

Political parties and affiliation

United Nations
Latest action: action_date: 2019-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-06-18
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Countering Hezbollah in Lebanon's Military Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill limits the use of security assistance funds for Lebanon until certain conditions are met. Specifically, 20% of funds appropriated or made available for such security assistance may not be obligated or expended until the President certifies to Congress that (1) the Lebanese Armed Forces have&nbsp;taken measurable steps to limit or expel Hezbollah-influenced military personnel that have significant influence over the Lebanese Armed Forces' policies or activities, (2) activities of the Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm Hezbollah demonstrate a serious commitment to fulfill United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 calling for such disarmament, and (3) the Lebanese Armed Forces have&nbsp;not cooperated or partnered with Hezbollah during the last year. </p> <p>The President may waive the first two requirements if it is in U.S. national security interest to do so.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1886 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 18, 2019 Mr. Cruz (for himself and Mr. Cramer ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To restrict security assistance to Lebanon, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Countering Hezbollah in Lebanon's Military Act of 2019 . 2. Report on relationship between Lebanese Armed Forces and Hezbollah (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a report to Congress— (1) identifying all military officers, commanders, advisors, officials, or other personnel with significant influence over the policies or activities of the Lebanese Armed Forces who are members of, paid by, or significantly influenced by Hezbollah; and (2) describing military activities conducted by the Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm Hezbollah pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701 (2006). (b) Form The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex. 3. Restriction on security assistance (a) In general Of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for security assistance for the Government of Lebanon for a fiscal year, 20 percent may not be obligated or expended for such purpose until the President certifies to Congress that— (1) the Lebanese Armed Forces has taken measurable steps in the last year to limit the influence or expel anyone identified pursuant to section 2(a)(1); (2) the activities described pursuant to section 2(a)(2) demonstrate a serious commitment by the Lebanese Armed Forces to fulfill its obligation to disarm Hezbollah pursuant to UNSCR 1701; and (3) the Lebanese Armed Forces have not cooperated, coordinated, or partnered with Hezbollah in any operation, campaign, or military exercise during the last year. (b) National security waiver The President may waive the certification requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) if the President certifies to Congress that it is in the national security interest of the United States.