Taxpayer Protection and Somalia Accountability Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Taxpayer Protection and Somalia Accountability Act of 2026, aims to suspend United States foreign assistance to the Government of Somalia. It expresses a Sense of Congress that the President should restrict remittances from the U.S. to Somalia if funds originate from U.S. support programs, if the sender receives U.S. support, or if the funds benefit Somali government officials or foreign terrorist organizations. Additionally, it calls for a review of all suspected acts of fraud, waste, or abuse in U.S. foreign assistance programs in Somalia involving government officials. The legislation mandates the suspension of bilateral and multilateral foreign assistance to the national Government of Somalia, unless adequate safeguards are in place to prevent diversion. The Secretary of State may waive the bilateral assistance suspension on a case-by-case basis if it is certified to be in the U.S. national interest. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to brief congressional committees on evidence of U.S. funds being transferred to Somalia, remittances benefiting Somali officials, or funds benefiting foreign terrorist organizations. To enhance accountability, the bill directs the Secretary of State to apply visa restrictions to current or former Somali officials involved in significant corruption related to U.S. aid diversion, destruction of U.S.-funded humanitarian facilities, or facilitating aid to foreign terrorist organizations, including their immediate family members. Furthermore, it authorizes the President to impose Global Magnitsky sanctions on foreign persons collaborating with the Somali government in corruption or diversion of U.S. funds. Finally, the Secretary of State is directed to establish a rewards program , offering up to $250,000, for information leading to the identification of individuals defrauding U.S. programs or the recovery of stolen assets.