H.R. 8334 — Taxpayer Protection and Somalia Accountability Act of 2026

This section expresses the sense of Congress that the President should direct appropriate federal agencies to (1) restrict, prevent, or stop remittances from the United States to Somalia until the President determines that such funds are not U.S. government support, senders are not receiving government support, funds are not transferred to Somali national government officials, and funds do not benefit foreign terrorist organizations; and (2) review reported or suspected fraud, waste, or abuse in U.S. foreign assistance programs in Somalia involving Somali government officials.

This section directs the Secretary of State to brief the appropriate congressional committees on (1) evidence of U.S. funds transferred to persons or entities in Somalia, including identification of facilitators; (2) evidence of the U.S. remittance system benefiting Somali national government officials; and (3) evidence of remittances benefiting foreign terrorist organizations or entities they support. The briefing must be in unclassified form and include a classified annex as appropriate.

This section suspends bilateral foreign assistance, including under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and Arms Export Control Act, to Somalia's national government unless adequate safeguards mitigate the risk of diversion. It further prohibits contributions or funding to international organizations or nongovernmental organizations from being used for the direct benefit or use of Somalia's national government. The Secretary of State may waive the bilateral assistance suspension on a case-by-case basis upon certifying to the appropriate congressional committees that such assistance is in the U.S. national interest.

This section directs the Secretary of State to apply visa restrictions under section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 (division F of P.L. 118-47)—which renders aliens ineligible for visas or admission to the United States—to any current or former official of the national government of Somalia whom the Secretary has credible information was involved in (1) significant corruption related to the diversion of U.S. foreign assistance, (2) the destruction or seizure of U.S.-funded humanitarian facilities, or (3) facilitating the provision of U.S. foreign assistance to foreign terrorist organizations. The section further prohibits exemptions from these restrictions for such individuals who are holders of or applicants for A-category diplomatic or G-category international organization visas and requires the restrictions to apply to their immediate family members.

This section authorizes the President, not later than 60 days after enactment, to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on foreign persons determined (1) to be collaborating with the national government of Somalia in corruption or the diversion of U.S. funds intended for the people of Somalia, or (2) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided support for such activities. (Global Magnitsky sanctions generally block the sanctioned person's U.S. assets and prohibit U.S. persons from transacting with them.)

This section directs the Secretary of State to exercise authority under section 36 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act to offer rewards for information leading to (1) the identification and location of nationals of the Federal Republic of Somalia or officials of the national Government of Somalia involved in defrauding U.S. government programs, or (2) the recovery of assets stolen or defrauded from the U.S. Treasury by Somali-based networks. Rewards may be paid from the Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service account and may not exceed $250,000 per reward.

This section defines, for purposes of the Act, (1) "appropriate congressional committees" as the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Financial Services and the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Finance; and (2) "foreign terrorist organization" as an organization designated by the Secretary of State under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).