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

Legislation aims to end CAIR's tax-exempt status and ability to operate in the U.S.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:33pm

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A dynamic, fragmented painting featuring a gavel, American flag, and scales of justice in overlapping geometric shapes and bold colors, conceptually representing the political debate over CAIR's alleged terrorist connections.A fractured, abstract painting captures the political tensions over designating CAIR as a terrorist group, as Congress debates its long history of ties to extremism.Philadelphia Today

Texas Congressman Chip Roy has introduced the 'Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act of 2026' which targets the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) directly and forces the government to treat it like the terror-tied group it is. The bill would designate CAIR as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization, block its assets, and revoke its tax-exempt status.

Why it matters

CAIR has long been accused of having ties to terrorist organizations like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. This legislation is an attempt to cut off CAIR's funding and power, and send a message that groups supporting terrorism have no place in the United States.

The details

The bill requires the Secretaries of State and Treasury to submit a formal report explaining why CAIR meets the criteria for SDGT designation. It also revokes CAIR's 501c3 tax-exempt status, stating 'there should be no reason for a group with a track record of providing material support to terrorism to continue to benefit from its assets, financial or otherwise.'

  • The bill is being introduced as CAIR-affiliated groups plan to hold their 'National Muslim Advocacy Day' in Washington, D.C. on April 20-21, 2026.

The players

Chip Roy

A Texas Congressman who introduced the 'Designating Hamas Affiliates in America Act of 2026'.

CAIR

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which has been accused of having ties to terrorist organizations like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.

USCMO

The US Council of Muslim Organizations, a CAIR-affiliated group that plans to hold a 'National Muslim Advocacy Day' in Washington, D.C.

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What they’re saying

“For decades, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which purports to be a 'civil rights organization' dedicated to protecting the rights of American Muslims, has harbored ties to terrorist organizations, including Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and other extremist groups.”

— Chip Roy, Congressman

“CAIR's 30-year history is replete with associating with terrorist groups and individuals who want to undermine the security and values of the U.S. and its allies.”

— Chip Roy, Congressman

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This legislation is an attempt to hold CAIR accountable for its alleged ties to terrorist organizations and cut off its funding and influence in the United States.