West Florida News

U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has introduced the Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Radicalism (PAGER) Act to prevent Lebanon from channeling U.S. taxpayer dollars to Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization.

“We cannot, in good conscience, continue sending U.S. taxpayer dollars to Lebanon when they are complicit in empowering a terrorist organization whose primary mission is to destroy America and Israel. Hezbollah is propped up by the Iranian regime and responsible for countless attacks against our ally Israel and responsible for killing hundreds of Americans during the horrific attacks on our Beirut Marine Barracks and our U.S. Embassy in 1983,” said Rep. Steube. “For two years I filed an amendment to the annual State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill to eliminate funding to the Lebanese Armed Forces, as the money goes to Hezbollah. Republicans and Democrats continue to vote it down. Every dollar funneled to Lebanon is another resource aiding Hezbollah’s operations, undermining regional stability, and threatening Israel’s security. My legislation ensures our foreign assistance aligns with American interests in the region and our foreign policies don’t indirectly harm our ally, Israel. No U.S. taxpayer dollars should ever get into the hands of Hezbollah.”

The legislation stipulates that no federal funds will be appropriated to the Lebanese Armed Forces until several conditions are met:

- The Government of Lebanon, including its Chamber of Deputies (Lebanese Parliament), must not recognize or permit its ministers or other cabinet-level officials from being affiliated with parties aligned with Hezbollah or Amal.

- Hezbollah must no longer maintain any presence in Lebanon pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1559.

- The Lebanese Armed Forces must cease coordination and support with Hezbollah or any other Foreign Terror Organization.

- The Lebanese Armed Forces must cease coordination and support with Iran.

- Any Iranian-supplied weapons must be destroyed.

- Lebanese courts must dismiss all charges against Americans who have advocated against Hezbollah’s influence over Lebanon.

The legislation also halts U.S. support for UN agencies providing bonuses and luxury goods to Lebanese Armed Forces generals, the Lebanese military, and internal security forces.

Additionally, it mandates a biannual report to Congress from the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and CIA Director on the status of Hezbollah and Iranian influence across the Lebanese government.

The PAGER Act has garnered support from organizations such as The American Mideast Coalition for Democracy (AMCD) and The Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET).

“The American Mideast Coalition for Democracy applauds Congressman Greg Steube’s Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Radicalism (PAGER) Act. This is an excellent piece of legislation designed to help the Lebanese people rein in Hezbollah by placing conditions on US funding now going to the Lebanese Armed Forces,” said AMCD.

“For years, the Lebanese Armed Forces have been eroded to a point where they are no longer a real army but rather a rubber stamp for Hezbollah’s terrorist activities. This is especially true along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel where Hezbollah has been acting with complete impunity since October 8th firing missiles and UAVs directed at Israeli civilian communities,” said Sarah N. Stern, Founder and President of EMET.

The Republican Study Committee supports this legislation.