March 11, 2024 - Washington, D.C. — Last week, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced two bills in response to the U.S. airman who self-immolated outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. on February 25. The legislation follows a letter Senator Cotton sent to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, asking him to provide details on the service member. 

“The mission of our service members is to defend America, and anyone who supports Hamas or any other terrorist group should not receive a security clearance. Likewise, no active-duty members of the military should be allowed to participate in demonstrations that aim to undermine the security of America and our allies,” said Senator Cotton.

The first bill, the No Clearances for Terrorist Sympathizers Act, would prohibit the granting or renewing of security clearances to a person who has expressed support for a foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or any similar groups. Text of the bill may be found here.

The second bill, the Prohibiting Certain Off Post Protests Act, would write into law a prohibition on certain military members from participating in certain off-post demonstrations. Text of the bill may be found here.
Source: Senator Tom Cotton