Independent Arabia has exclusively obtained a draft bill submitted to the U.S. Congress by Republican Representative Greg Steube, aimed at pressuring the Lebanese government and military to curb the influence of Hezbollah and its allies. The draft legislation proposes strict conditions on U.S. aid to Lebanon and threatens sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the Iran-backed group.

Titled the "Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Extremism Act," the bill calls on the Lebanese government to take concrete steps within 60 days to disarm Hezbollah. It also mandates the suspension of U.S. federal funding to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) unless strict conditions are met, including eliminating Hezbollah’s influence and severing military ties with Iran.

Suspension of Military Aid

The proposed legislation, also referred to as the "Pager Act," would prevent the U.S. from resuming financial assistance to the LAF unless the Secretary of State confirms that Lebanon has:

• Ended all official recognition of Hezbollah and its allies, revoking their political legitimacy, including that of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc and the Amal Movement.
• Implemented UN Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for dismantling all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, expelling Hezbollah forces from their strongholds, and preventing their future re-establishment.
• Expanded military deployment in Hezbollah-controlled areas to block the group from regrouping.
• Ceased all coordination or cooperation with Hezbollah or any organization designated as terrorist by Washington.
• Severed all military and financial ties with Iran, refraining from receiving any direct or indirect support from Tehran or its affiliated organizations.
• Destroyed all Iranian-supplied military equipment in the possession of the LAF, including weapons and ammunition.
• Dropped all legal cases against U.S. citizens in Lebanon, particularly journalists who have criticized Hezbollah or appeared on Israeli media.

Cuts to UN Programs Supporting Lebanon

Beyond military aid, the bill proposes suspending U.S. funding for United Nations development programs that provide assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces within 60 days of the bill’s enactment.

The draft legislation also includes a provision to designate South Lebanon’s Military Intelligence Chief, Suhail Bahij, as a global terrorist under Executive Order 13224, which targets individuals and organizations linked to terrorism.

Congressional Oversight

Under the bill, the U.S. Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the CIA Director, would be required to submit a report to Congress every 180 days assessing Hezbollah and Iran’s influence in Lebanon’s government and defense ministry. The legislation assigns oversight responsibilities to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Armed Services, as well as the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Armed Services.