119 HR 8334 IH: Taxpayer Protection and Somalia Accountability Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-04-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8334IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 16, 2026Mr. 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 concernedA BILLTo provide for the suspension of bilateral and multilateral foreign assistance to the Government of Somalia, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Taxpayer Protection and Somalia Accountability Act of 2026.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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.

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).