Arizona congressmen introduce bill requiring reward for ISIS capture

Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar, introduced legislation amending the State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program to require the Secretary of State to offer a $5,000,000 cash reward to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest or conviction of any person involved with the kidnapping and murder of American citizens. Arizona representatives Trent Franks, Matt Salmon, and David Schweikert co-sponsored the legislation.

The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a similar bill, S. 2778, on September 18, 2014, with Senators Rubio (Florida), Ayotte (New Hampshire), Cruz (Texas), Nelson (Florida) and Shaheen (New Hampshire) ushering its passage.

Previous amendments to the Rewards for Justice Program required no new spending. According to the FY2015 Budget Request, “funding for the expansion of the Rewards Program is provided from currently available resources and [existing] transfer authorities.”

Congressman Gosar’s legislation has fourteen original cosponsors including Brad Sherman (CA-30), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Ron DeSantis (FL-06), Mick Mulvaney (SC-05), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Chris Stewart (UT-02), Jim Bridenstine (OK-01), Paul Cook (CA-08), Steve Stockman (TX-36), Ted Yoho (FL-03) and Robert Hurt (VA-05).

“The horrific publicized murders of our citizens is unacceptable. We need to find these thugs and bring them to justice. This reward money will give incentive for these terrorists to turn on each other,” said Gosar in a statement released last week. “The first to come to us will be rewarded well so we can bring the others to justice.”

“Their days are numbered. I want them to know that when you harm innocent Americans, justice will follow close behind. In order to take the fight to those who commit such evil, I have introduced legislation that will put a bounty on the heads of anyone involved with the kidnapping and murder of American citizens—including the ISIS soldiers who murdered Americans James Foley, Peter Kassig and Steven Sotloff,” continued Gosar.

“This legislation has two primary purposes. The first is to incentivize any person living in tyranny and oppression who may be brave enough to stand up for what is right and help the U.S. bring these terrorists to justice. The second is to deter ISIS and other foreign terrorist organizations from continuing their murderous, deranged ways. The kidnapping and murdering of our citizens will not be tolerated and Congress must pass effective legislation that will ensure swift punishment for those who harm innocent Americans,” concluded Gosar.

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