politics

Rep. Chip Roy Introduces Bill to Designate CAIR as Terrorist Group

Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas has introduced legislation directing the U.S. Treasury Department to label the Council on American-Islamic Relations a specially designated global terrorist. The bill cites CAIR's historical ties to Hamas, including involvement in a 1993 strategy session and convictions of its officials.

1 source·Apr 23, 10:00 AM(5 days ago)·1m read

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Washington Examiner reported that H.R. 8236, known as the Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act, on April 9. U.S. Treasury Department to list the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a specially designated global terrorist.

The bill comes amid ongoing scrutiny of CAIR, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that describes itself as a Muslim civil rights group. In a related state-level action, a Republican governor from Florida issued an executive order sanctioning CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization.

State lawmakers subsequently created a new law establishing a statutory framework for states to designate domestic terrorist organizations.

Historical context includes events from 1993, when the FBI secretly recorded CAIR founders Nihad Awad and Omar Ahmad at a Hamas strategy session in a Philadelphia hotel.

CAIR was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 2007 Holy Land Foundation trial. A senior CAIR official was sent to prison for 65 years in the Holy Land Foundation case, convicted for funneling over $12 million to Hamas, according to the Washington Examiner.

Hamas sought to negotiate the official's release in exchange for American hostages held in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, massacres in Israel.

More recently, CAIR-Ohio executive director Khalid Turaani hosted an online panel in October that featured remarks from Majed al Zeer.

Key Facts

Bill Introduction

Rep. Chip Roy introduced H.R. 8236 on April 9 to designate CAIR as a specially designated global terrorist.

CAIR's Historical Ties

FBI recorded CAIR founders at a 1993 Hamas strategy session; CAIR listed as unindicted co-conspirator in 2007 trial.

Convictions

Senior CAIR official Ghassan Elashi sentenced to 65 years for funneling $12 million to Hamas; at least seven CAIR officials arrested or convicted for terrorism-

Recent Event

CAIR-Ohio hosted panel in October featuring Majed al Zeer, a designated Hamas member.

State Actions

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's executive order sanctioning CAIR was blocked; new state law limits designations to violent or cybercrime entities.

politics terrorism-designation cair hamas legislation national-security executive-order fbi treasury

Story Timeline

6 events

2026-04-09
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced H.R. 8236, the Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act.
1 sourceWashington Examiner
2025-06
A House bill was introduced urging the State Department to designate CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization.
1 sourceWashington Examiner
2023-10-07 (post-event)
Hamas sought to negotiate Ghassan Elashi's release in exchange for American hostages held in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, massacres in Israel.
1 sourceWashington Examiner
2007
CAIR was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation trial, where Ghassan Elashi was convicted.
1 sourceWashington Examiner
1993
The FBI secretly recorded CAIR founders Nihad Awad and Omar Ahmad at a Hamas strategy session in a Philadelphia hotel.
1 sourceWashington Examiner
1993 (post-session)
CAIR registered as a nonprofit organization months after the 1993 Philadelphia hotel session.
1 sourceWashington Examiner

Potential Impact

01
Increased scrutiny on CAIR's operations and affiliations with Hamas.
02
Legal challenges from CAIR arguing reform since early ties.
03
Changes in how domestic nonprofits are designated for terrorism support.
04
Influence on other states or federal actions targeting similar organizations.
05
Potential freezing of CAIR's assets and loss of tax-exempt status if bill passes.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1

Framing risk45/100 (moderate)

Confidence score65%

Synthesized bySubstrate AI

Word count209 words

PublishedApr 23, 2026, 10:00 AM

Bias signals removed4 across 4 outlets

Signal Breakdown

Loaded 1Editorializing 1opinionated 1Speculative 1

Original Sources

Washington ExaminerFinally a legitimate effort to designate CAIR as a terrorist group

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