Sen. Cruz wants terrorist tag on Muslim Brotherhood

Sen. Ted Cruz has introduced legislation that designates the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.

The Texas Republican, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, introduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act on Wednesday.

It would implement a modernized strategy against the group.

The Muslim Brotherhood is a global Islamist movement founded in Egypt in 1928 and known for its advocacy of a state governed by Sharia law through religious, political and social action.

Mr. Cruz said the Muslim Brotherhood provides support to offshoots that are terrorist organizations.

“One of those branches is Hamas, which on Oct. 7 committed the worst single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, which included the murder and kidnapping of at least 53 Americans,” he said of the 2023 raid.

Companion legislation to Mr. Cruz’s bill was introduced by fellow Republican Nancy Mace of South Carolina in the House last month.

Mr. Cruz said the 97-year-old Islamist organization is committed to overthrowing and destroying the U.S. and other non-Islamist governments across the globe while posing a threat to American national security interests.

“American allies in the Middle East and Europe have already labeled the Brotherhood a terrorist organization, and the United States should do the same, and do so expeditiously,” he said.

Countries that have labeled and outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization include Austria, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Mr. Cruz introduced other versions of the Muslim Brotherhood Designation Act in 2015, 2017, 2020 and 2021.

Other Republican senators backing the legislation are Tom Cotton and John Boozman of Arkansas, Rick Scott and Ashley Moody of Florida and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania.