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Intel: Congress wants to cut off Hezbollah’s finances – here's why it’s taking a while

Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee Ed Royce (R-CA) arrives for a closed classified briefing for members of the House of Representatives on North Korea and Afghanistan on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September 6, 2017.   REUTERS/Joshua Roberts - RC1345A148B0

Last night the House unanimously passed the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act to target the Lebanese paramilitary group’s global funding and recruitment streams. But Congress already voted on it twice — almost a year ago. While President Donald Trump has expressed a determination to crack down on Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies, the House must still wrangle with the Senate over minor differences before the bill makes its way to Trump’s desk.

“Today’s bill will build on existing sanctions against Hezbollah by targeting its global fundraising and recruiting, as well as those who provide it weapons,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., said in a statement after it passed. “This legislation is the product of months of bicameral, bipartisan work, and I hope the Senate will take it up quickly.”

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