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Friends, Family of Taylor Force Lobby Senators for Passage of Law in His Name

Taylor Force Act would end U.S. aid to Palestinian Authority as long as its leaders incentivize terrorist attacks

March 1, 2018

Family and friends of Taylor Force, a West Point graduate killed by a Palestinian terrorist in 2016, lobbied a group of bipartisan senators this week to pass the Taylor Force Act, which would end U.S. aid to the Palestinian Authority until it stops rewarding terrorists.

"It is bipartisan, it’s not political, and it should be bipartisan. It needs to change," Force's mother Robbi told Fox News.

Force was killed in Tel Aviv, Israel, after walking with friends from college. A terrorist attacked the group with a knife and stabbed Force to death.

His sister, Kristen Force, collapsed on a sidewalk in shock upon learning of her brother's death. Learning about the financial incentives for such attacks compounded her grief and motivated the family.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), called his meeting with the Force family "very powerful."

"I’m more dedicated than ever to make sure that the Taylor Force Act is signed into law by President Trump," Graham said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said the bill is "long overdue."

Multiple senators in meetings with Force's family and friends, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), Tom Cotton (R., Ark.), and Bob Corker (R., Tenn.), have spoken up about the bill.

A similar bill passed the House in December, but Democrats have put a hold on the bill over concerns over the bill's language.

Nonetheless, they remain optimistic that the Senate will take it up soon.

"With the passage of this law, Taylor will not have died in vain," Graham said.