U.S. Laws on Terrorism

Export Administration Act: The Secretary of State must report each year to Congress on nations which fund or provide a base of operation for terrorist organizations, or which participate themselves in terrorist activities. Nations on the terrorism list are subject to trade restrictions and are ineligible for various U.S. benefits.

Foreign Assistance Act: Prohibits nations on the State Department terrorism list from receiving U.S. aid.

Arms Export Control Act: Prohibits the export of defense-related materials to countries on the terrorism list and requires an export license for dual-use materials.

Middle East Peace Facilitation Act: Contact with the PLO and aid to the Palestinians is conditioned upon presidential certification to Congress that the PLO has complied with its commitments to Israel. One of the key commitments made was to combat terrorism against Israel.

Comprehensive Anti­terrorism Act: Strengthens U.S. law against terrorist groups by:

  • Banning fundraising in the U.S. for foreign terrorist groups.
  • Providing new federal jurisdiction to prosecute acts of terrorism carried out within the U.S., as well as conspiracies in the U.S. to commit terrorism abroad.
  • Closing loopholes in existing immigration laws that have enabled terrorists to use the U.S. as a base from which to organize and direct terrorist activities.

Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996: Establishes U.S. policy to deny Iran and Libya the ability to support international terrorism and to fund their weapons of mass destruction programs by limiting the development of petroleum resources in Iran and Libya.

  • Requires the President to impose sanctions on foreign companies that make annual investments of more than $40 million that contribute to the development of petroleum resources in Iran or Libya or that trade with Libya in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.
Source: American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)