Taylor Force Act Advances in Congress

Press Release

The Taylor Force Act, a bill Representative Doug Lamborn (CO-05) introduced with original co-sponsor Representative Lee Zeldin (NY-01) in the House, is on the verge of being signed into law. The legislation would stop American taxpayer dollars from funding the Palestinian Authority's program that pays terrorists to murder innocent people. The PA rewards terrorists for each murder and also promises monthly payments to the terrorist's family. Not only does the Taylor Force Act publicly condemn such terrible acts of violent terrorism, it also prevents foreign aid funding unless the Secretary of State sees credible steps of change from the PA. The House passed it unanimously in December.
"I'll never forget the moment I first learned about the despicable Palestinian law rewarding acts of terrorism," Rep. Lamborn said. "I was further crushed when I heard about the murder of Stuart and Robbi Force's beloved son, Taylor, by a Palestinian terrorist and the subsequent financial reward enjoyed by his killer's family. I introduced the Taylor Force Act in the U.S. House because U.S. tax dollars should never support regimes that incentivize the murder of innocent people. President Trump supports the Taylor Force Act, and I am glad we will be sending it to his desk for his signature today. This is an important first step in holding the PA accountable for this abuse of foreign aid and American taxpayer dollars."

The legislation is named after Taylor Force, an American veteran visiting Israel when a Palestinian terrorist brutally stabbed him. The killer was paid for the murder and Palestinian leadership praised him. Taylor's parents, Stuart and Robbi Force, have bravely worked in conjunction with Rep. Lamborn not only to serve Taylor's memory but to stop more innocent murders from happening.

"If I had to describe everyone involved, I would call us Team Force, because it has taken a tremendous amount of work from many people to bring this legislation so far," Stuart Force, Taylor's father, said. "I want to thank Representative Lamborn, Senator Graham, and the many other cosponsors for their leadership. My wife Robbi and I view this as an opportunity to make the world a better place for children to grow up in. We want to do what we can to stop terrorism and raise awareness, and the Taylor Force Act is a good first step."

"This legislation has international ramifications and sends a clear message that the U.S. does not tolerate terrorism," Rep. Lamborn added. "It is unthinkable that when people like Taylor are murdered in the streets of Israel, the terrorists and their families are celebrated. U.S. tax dollars must not continue to fund such terrible acts of violence. We will send a strong message with the Taylor Force Act -- the Palestinian Authority must be held accountable. I am glad this bill has bipartisan support in the House and Senate."

"I appreciate Representative Lamborn's leadership and his work to bring the Taylor Force Act this far," Speaker Ryan said. "He has consistently advocated for the Force family since their son was brutally murdered by a Palestinian terrorist and has helped elevate this issue to the international forefront. I look forward to joining Representative Lamborn in making this important legislation the law of the land."

"We congratulate Rep. Doug Lamborn and our colleagues in the U.S. on this important first step that it is hoped will put an end to Palestinian incitement, violence and payments to terrorists," Co-chair of Knesset Israel Victory Caucus MK Elazar Stern said. "We have a similar law that passed its first reading in the Knesset and we are delighted to be working in parallel on such an important security issue that will save lives and contribute towards peace."

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