West STL News

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Representative Jared Golden (D-ME) have jointly introduced the Reviewing Qatar’s Major Non-NATO Ally Status Act, a bill aimed at evaluating Qatar's designation as a major non-NATO ally. The legislation, which is a companion to Senator Ted Budd’s S. 4093 in the Senate, seeks to hold Qatar accountable for its relationship with Hamas and its role in the October 7th terror attack on Israel.

In a statement, Congresswoman Wagner emphasized the need for Qatar to take action against Hamas, stating, “They must stop protecting the architects of the brutal October 7th terror attack on Israel. For too long Qatar has sheltered Hamas terrorists.” She highlighted the importance of pressuring Hamas to reach a deal with Israel or expel the terrorists responsible for their crimes.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congressman Golden emphasized that no nation providing aid or comfort to Hamas should receive privileged status from the United States government. The bill introduced by Wagner and Golden would compel the Secretary of State to review the U.S.-Qatar bilateral relationship, Qatar’s ties with Hamas, and its status as a major non-NATO ally.

Under the proposed legislation, Qatar's major non-NATO ally status would be terminated unless specific conditions are met. These conditions include Qatar demonstrating that its designation remains in the national interest of the United States, exerting leverage over Hamas to secure the release of U.S. hostages, and not supporting international terrorism or terrorist organizations like Hamas.

The bill also requires Qatar to expel or agree to extradite individuals involved in the October 7, 2023 terror attack, including Ismail Haniyeh, Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Mashal, and others responsible for the incident. The legislation aims to hold Qatar accountable for its actions and ensure that the United States reevaluates its relationship with the country in light of these concerns.