Yellowhammer Times

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) in introducing the Stop Financial Underwriting of Nefarious Demonstrations and Extremist Riots (Stop FUNDERs) Act. The proposed legislation aims to add rioting to the list of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) predicate offenses, expanding the U.S. Department of Justice’s authority to target organizations that fund or coordinate violent interstate riots.

Senator Tuberville stated, “77 million Americans voted for President Trump and his America First policy agenda – and that includes arresting and deporting illegal aliens. Democrats don’t like that – so they are rioting in the streets and violently attacking law enforcement officers. This cannot stand. My colleagues and I are introducing a bill to make sure the Department of Justice has the tools it needs to go after anti-American terrorist groups and their funders who are protecting illegal rapists, murderers, and criminals. We have to cut these violent riots off at the source. The adults are back in charge, and law and order will prevail.”

Senator Cruz added, “Every American has the right to freedom of speech and peaceful protest, but not to commit violence. Domestic NGOs and foreign adversaries fund and use riots in the United States to undermine the security and prosperity of Americans. My legislation will give the Department of Justice the tools it needs to hold them accountable, and I urge colleagues to pass it expeditiously.”

The bill is also backed by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mike Lee (R-UT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Josh Hawley (R-MO). Representative Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) introduced companion legislation in the House.

Support for this bill comes from Heritage Action as well as the National Right to Work Committee.

Senator Tuberville serves Alabama in the U.S. Senate as a member of several committees including Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging.