Rep. Ronny Jackson Introduces Bill to Fight Somali Fraud

WASHINGTON - Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) recently introduced the Taxpayer Protection and Somalia Accountability Act, legislation aimed at protecting American tax dollars from fraud, abuse, and diversion to corrupt government officials and terrorist organizations in Somalia.

The legislation comes amid growing concerns surrounding credible reports and criminal convictions involving Somali individuals accused of defrauding U.S. government programs and transferring funds overseas. Evidence suggests that some of these funds ultimately benefit corrupt Somali government officials and al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization operating in the region.

"American taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize corruption, fraud, or terrorism abroad," said Rep. Jackson. "My legislation will ensure that not one more American dollar is used to benefit corrupt government officials in Somalia or terrorist organizations like al-Shabaab. We must demand full transparency, rigorous oversight, and real consequences for anyone stealing from the American people."

The Taxpayer Protection and Somalia Accountability Act would:

• Suspend U.S. aid to Somalia if adequate safeguards are not in place to prevent fraud and diversion,

• Impose visa bans on corrupt current and former Somali government officials and their immediate family members involved in aid diversion, and

• Authorize Global Magnitsky sanctions on individuals tied to the Somali government involved in fraud schemes seeking to disenfranchise the American people.

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