HR 8334
Taxpayer Protection and Somalia Accountability Act of 2026
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Bill overview
This bill, the Taxpayer Protection and Somalia Accountability Act of 2026, seeks to address concerns about the misuse of U.S. foreign assistance in Somalia. It proposes suspending bilateral and multilateral aid to the Somali government unless safeguards are in place to prevent diversion, and directs the State Department to investigate potential fraud and abuse. Furthermore, the bill includes visa restrictions for Somali officials involved in corruption or related activities, and authorizes the President to impose additional sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act.
Key provisions
- Suspension of bilateral and multilateral foreign assistance to the Government of Somalia unless adequate safeguards are in place.
- Restrictions on remittances from the United States to Somalia to prevent the flow of funds to corrupt officials or terrorist organizations.
- Visa restrictions for Somali officials involved in corruption, destruction of humanitarian facilities, or facilitating aid to terrorist organizations.
- Requirement for the State Department to brief congressional committees on evidence of misused funds and illicit activities.
- Authorization for the President to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against individuals collaborating with the Somali government in corruption.
- Establishment of a State Department rewards program to incentivize information leading to the identification and recovery of stolen assets.
- Review of reported or suspected fraud, waste, or abuse in U.S. foreign assistance programs in Somalia.
Who is affected
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 8334
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To provide for the suspension of bilateral and multilateral foreign assistance to the Government of Somalia, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Taxpayer Protection and Somalia Accountability Act of 2026
.
It is the sense of Congress that—
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—
funds remitted are not United States funds disbursed through Federal, State, or local government support programs;
the sender of the funds remitted is not receiving financial or other support through a Federal, State, or local program;
the funds remitted to persons in Somalia are not being transferred to officials within the national Government of Somalia; and
the funds remitted to individuals or beneficiaries in Somalia are not being directed to or benefitting foreign terrorist organizations; and
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.
evidence of the remittance system between the United States being used to benefit officials of the national Government of Somalia; and
evidence of remittances being received or otherwise benefitting foreign terrorist organizations or organizations benefitting from foreign terrorist organizations.
The briefing required by this section shall—
be provided in unclassified form; and
include a classified annex as appropriate.
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.
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.
significant corruption related to the diversion of United States foreign assistance;
the destruction or seizure of United States-funded humanitarian facilities; or
facilitating the provision of United States foreign assistance to foreign terrorist organizations.
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).
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—
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
the recovery of assets stolen or defrauded from the United States Treasury by Somali-based networks.
Rewards under this section—
may be paid from the Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service account; and
may not to exceed $250,000 per reward.
In this Act—
the term appropriate congressional committees means—
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
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).