Rep. Ronny Jackson Co-Leads Legislation Targeting Iranian Proxy, Polisario Front

WASHINGTON — Today, Representatives Ronny Jackson (TX-13) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) introduced the Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act . The legislation would strengthen U.S. national security and protect American interests by directing the Secretary of State to designate the Polisario Front as a Foreign Terrorist Organization following a comprehensive evaluation of the group’s involvement with Iran and Iranian-backed terrorist organizations to coordinate military training, weapons deliveries, and intelligence sharing. "For too long, Iran and its terrorist proxies, like Hezbollah, have used the Polisario Front to project instability across West Africa," said Rep. Jackson. "This bill ensures the Trump administration is equipped to fully investigate the Polisario Front and take decisive action to counter threats to the national security of the U.S. and our allies. We must use every available tool to combat terrorism, dismantle the networks that enable it, and protect the American people." “The Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies are working overtime to open a new front against the United States and our allies, and the Polisario Front has become one of their instruments,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “When a group takes drones and weapons from the IRGC and coordinates with Iranian-backed terrorists, we should call it exactly what it is: a terrorist organization. This bipartisan bill makes sure that once that cooperation is confirmed, we can bring the full weight of America’s counterterrorism sanctions down on the Polisario Front and cut its leaders off from the global financial system, international travel, and the resources they use to threaten us and our allies. Standing up to Iran and its proxies isn’t a partisan issue.” ###