U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has cosponsored the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act, which aims to direct the U.S. Secretary of State to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
“Hamas – who is responsible for the mass murder of more than 1,200 civilians in the brutal attack against Israel on October 7 – openly identifies as a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill rightfully directs the Secretary of State to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization and imposes strict sanctions against them and their proxies who chant ‘death to America,’ sending a clear message that their anti-western agenda and threats to the American people and our allies will not be tolerated.”
The Muslim Brotherhood is described as a transnational Islamist group with various regional affiliates involved in terrorism. Hamas, already recognized by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), identifies itself as part of this network. Other branches like HASM and Liwa al-Thawra have been linked to it by the U.S. Department of State and designated Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
The bill proposes an updated approach requiring annual evaluations by the U.S. Secretary of State on individual branches, designating those meeting terrorism criteria, followed by sanctions. This method mirrors how Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was designated in 2017.
Provisions within this act include designating under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987, mandating annual reports on eligibility for FTO or SDGT status, imposing global sanctions on qualifying branches, and restricting visas for identified members.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) leads this legislation with co-sponsors including Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Boozman (R-AR.), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ashley Moody (R-FL), and Dave McCormick (R-PA). It is supported by organizations such as FDD Action, Christians United for Israel Action Fund, AIPAC, and Republican Jewish Coalition.
A companion bill has been introduced in the House by Rep. Mario DÃaz-Balart (FL-26).
