Green Bay Reporter

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) have introduced the Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at improving the implementation and enforcement of sanctions against terrorist organizations and other malign actors that use innocent civilians as human shields. The introduction of this bill comes in response to the recent barbaric attack by Hamas on Israel, in which they are using Israeli hostages as human shields.

Rep. Gallagher emphasized the reprehensible and dangerous nature of using civilians as human shields, stating, "Of all the malign activities of these groups, few are more reprehensible or dangerous than their use of civilians as human shields." He further highlighted the importance of the bipartisan legislation in sending a clear message that the United States will severely punish this behavior.

Rep. Sherman echoed these sentiments, condemning the Hamas terrorists for their murderous acts and their lack of respect for human life. He stressed the need for a strong response to such heinous acts and expressed his pride in joining Rep. Gallagher in holding terrorists accountable for their use of this disgraceful tactic.

If passed, the legislation will extend the sunset for the sanctioning authority from 2023 to 2030. It will also empower the chairman and ranking member of appropriate congressional committees to request the President's determination on whether a foreign person meets the criteria for sanctions. Additionally, it will require mandatory sanctions to be imposed on leaders of Palestine Islamic Jihad who use human shields, expanding the current requirement that applies only to Hamas and Hizballah. The legislation also calls for a report from the Department of Defense on lessons learned from addressing the use of human shields and how these lessons are being integrated into DoD guidance and cooperation with allies.

This legislation builds upon Rep. Gallagher's previous law, the Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act, which was unanimously passed by Congress and signed into law in 2018. However, the sanctions outlined in that law were never fully implemented by the Executive branch, despite efforts by Rep. Gallagher and other members of Congress to urge their imposition.

The use of human shields by terrorist organizations, including during the recent Hamas terror attacks, continues to be a grave concern. Innocent civilians have been murdered, and hostages have been taken and effectively used as human shields. Hamas also persists in locating rocket launchers and weapons caches near civilian population centers and sensitive sites, such as schools.

Support for the Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act has been voiced by FDD Action, which commends the bill for renewing sanctions against Hizballah and Hamas and expanding authorities to combat this heinous practice alongside U.S. allies.

The introduction of this bipartisan bill reflects the determination of Rep. Gallagher and Rep. Sherman to address the reprehensible use of human shields by terrorist organizations and to ensure that the United States takes a strong stance against this tactic. The legislation's proposed measures seek to enhance the implementation of sanctions and promote coordination with allies in countering the use of human shields.

To learn more, click on this link: https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/gallagher-sherman-introduce-bipartisan-bill-counter-use-human-shields