In a show of solidarity with Israel, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) today joined Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and a formidable group of congressional colleagues to introduce the “No Official Palestine Entry (NOPE) Act.”
This legislative initiative aims to significantly restrict U.S. funding to the United Nations (UN) and other international bodies that grant any enhanced status, rights, or privileges to the Palestinian Authority (PA) or the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) beyond their current observer status.
The NOPE Act builds upon existing U.S. law, which already prohibits funding to organizations that grant the PLO full membership or member state standing. The new legislation tightens these restrictions, extending the funding prohibition to any organization that offers the PLO “any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status.”
READ: Federal Whistle Blows On College Sports: Lawmakers Propose Reforms Post-NCAA Payouts
Senator Scott emphasized the bill’s intent to safeguard American taxpayer dollars and counter what he described as the UN’s “coddling adversarial regimes and recognizing terrorist organizations that attack our allies and promote antisemitic rhetoric.” He stated, “The U.S. must make clear that we stand with Israel every step of the way and that American taxpayer funds cannot, in any way, assist or support terrorist groups or affiliates that spread evil around the world.”
Senator Risch echoed these sentiments, lamenting the UN’s current state as a “seat of antisemitism and in desperate need of reform.”
He underscored the importance of unwavering U.S. support for Israel, stating, “Israel is one of America’s greatest allies and we cannot tolerate or fund any anti-Israel bias or favoritism for the Palestinian Liberation Organization at the UN. These bills will ensure that America has Israel’s back when it matters most.”
READ: Supreme Court Paves Way For Florida Execution Today Of Anthony Wainwright
The NOPE Act boasts significant bipartisan backing in the Senate, with cosponsors including Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mike Lee (R-UT), James Lankford (R-OK), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
The initiative also enjoys support in the House of Representatives, with Congressmen Jim Baird (R-IN), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Barry Moore (R-AL), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Rudy Yakym (R-IN) listed as cosponsors.
This legislative push comes as ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue to play out on the international stage.
The NOPE Act sends a strong signal from Capitol Hill that the United States is committed to preventing what it views as attempts to legitimize or empower entities perceived as hostile to Israel’s security and existence.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
