Aug 1, 2007 – Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) this week introduced H.R. 2376, the Terrorism Prevention and Deterrence Act.  The legislation builds on “material-support statutes” that have been the primary vehicle used by the Justice Department since 9/11 to prosecute Al Qaeda and other terrorists.

Franks stated, “We have witnessed in our war with Al Qaeda and jihadist terrorism some of the most unconventional and barbaric methods of warfare conceivable by the human mind.  American warfighters, innocent Iraqi citizens, and other civilians have been subjected to suicide bombers, beheadings, torture, sexual assault, murder, kidnappings, and other human rights atrocities. 

“Under current U.S. law, terrorists who kidnap Americans abroad cannot be prosecuted unless they demand a ransom.  My bill closes this loophole, and enforces stricter penalties for supporters of terrorism who provide the financial incentives that embolden many suicide bombers and terrorists to act, knowing their families will be compensated when they die or are imprisoned for committing acts of terror.”

“Freedom prevails every time one of these terrorists is persecuted according to the just rule of law of our Republic.  To that end, we must ensure the Justice Department has all the tools it needs in order to be able to effectively carry out these prosecutions.”

The bill prohibits the provision of material support, compensation, or resources for an act of international terrorism, or to a family member or associate of the perpetrator(s), with the intent to facilitate, reward, or encourage an act of international terrorism, and criminalizes both the provision of material support for a prior act of terrorism as well as a future terrorist act.