This bill prohibits federal funds from being used to prepare materials that refer to Judea and Samaria as the West Bank. It also amends existing laws to replace the West Bank with Judea and Samaria, though exemptions exist for U.S. obligations under international treaties.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill prohibits federal funds from being used to prepare materials that refer to Judea and Samaria as the West Bank. It also amends existing laws to replace the West Bank with Judea and Samaria, though exemptions exist for U.S. obligations under international treaties.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Retiring the Egregious Confusion Over the Genuine Name of Israel’s Zone of Influence by Necessitating Government-use of Judea and Samaria Act or the RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act</strong></p><p>This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to prepare or promulgate certain materials (including any policy, guidance, regulation, executive order, or other work products) that refer to Judea and Samaria as the West Bank. The prohibition does not apply to U.S. obligations under international treaties or other agreements.</p><p>The bill also amends certain laws to replace the term <em>the West Bank</em> with <em>Judea and Samaria</em>.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Prohibits federal materials using the term West Bank
Requires use of Judea and Samaria in federal documents
Amends existing laws to replace terminology
Exempts international treaty obligations
Reflects Israeli naming preference for the territory
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Federal agencies would be required to use Judea and Samaria instead of West Bank in official documents and materials. This would align U.S. government language with Israeli terminology preferences for the disputed territory.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
International Affairs
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
384, 119th Congress (2025). "RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-384
