Ft Wayne Times

Today, Congressman Jim Baird's (IN-04) legislation, the No Official Palestine Entry (NOPE) Act, passed the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. The NOPE Act expands existing funding prohibitions to include U.N. organizations that afford status, rights, or privileges to the Palestinian Authority (PA) or Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) beyond observer status. U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (TX-10) joined Congressman Baird as a co-lead on the legislation. U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the Senate companion bill.

"On May 10, 2024, the United Nations voted to enhance the Palestinian Authority’s rights and privileges in the U.N. and give the PLO privileges that are only granted to full members despite the fact that these organizations continue to incite terrorism and engage in a pay-for-slay program," said Congressman Baird. "I am grateful for Chairman Michael McCaul’s leadership on this important issue, and I thank the Foreign Affairs Committee for passing this legislation that will protect Americans’ tax dollars from funding terrorist entities like the PA and PLO that commit horrific human rights atrocities. I hope my bill is taken up and passed by the full U.S. House soon."

Current U.S. law prohibits U.S. funding to organizations, such as the U.N., which give the PLO full membership or standing as a member state. The NOPE Act updates the existing funding prohibition to organizations that offer the Palestinian Authority or the Palestine Liberation Organization "any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status."

Read the full text of the bill here.