Sen. Ted Cruz is stepping up to the plate with a bold plan to tackle a long-standing threat. His new bill aims to slap a terrorist designation on the Muslim Brotherhood, a move that could reshape how America deals with global Islamist networks.

According to Washington Free Beacon, Cruz’s legislation, dubbed the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025, seeks to financially hobble the group by targeting its violent offshoots worldwide. This isn’t just a symbolic gesture; it’s a calculated strike against an organization that preaches hostility toward the U.S., Israel, and Western allies.

Past efforts to pin this label on the Muslim Brotherhood stumbled because not all its branches are openly violent, failing to meet strict legal criteria. Cruz’s approach flips the script with a bottom-up strategy, focusing on cataloging and sanctioning specific terrorist affiliates to build a case against the broader network.

Learning From Past Successes in Sanctions

This isn’t uncharted territory; the bill draws inspiration from President Trump’s 2017 playbook against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. By targeting violent subsidiaries first, that move created a legal foundation to designate the entire IRGC as a terrorist entity, and Cruz is banking on a similar outcome here.

The legislation, set to be introduced on Tuesday, mandates the Secretary of State to identify and designate Muslim Brotherhood branches that meet terrorist criteria. It also pushes for a blanket designation of the global organization for supporting these violent groups, closing loopholes that let them slip through before.

Several nations, including Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, already classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group. Their stance adds weight to Cruz’s argument that the U.S. should align with regional partners on this pressing security concern.

Building a Coalition for Support

Cruz isn’t going it alone; early backing comes from GOP senators like John Boozman, Tom Cotton, Dave McCormick, Ashley Moody, and Rick Scott. Endorsements from groups such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Christians United for Israel, and FDD Action further signal a growing consensus on the need for action.

AIPAC has voiced clear support, stating the Muslim Brotherhood “has backed Hamas and other groups that use terrorism to attack U.S. allies and interests across the Middle East.” That’s a serious charge, and it’s hard to argue with the evidence of violence tied to these networks, especially when our closest partners in the region are sounding the same alarm.

FDD Action’s Alexandria Paolozzi echoed this urgency, emphasizing the need to “hold accountable those who promote terror and extremist ideologies.” While some might cry overreach, the reality is that ignoring these connections only emboldens groups bent on destabilizing our allies and undermining our values.

A Modern Approach to an Old Threat

Sandra Hagee Parker of CUFI Action Fund praised the bill’s innovative framework, noting that “the Muslim Brotherhood’s unique network requires a modern approach to law enforcement.” She’s right; clinging to outdated methods won’t cut it against an organization that thrives on shadowy affiliations and indirect support for violence.

The bill outlines three key mechanisms for designation: congressional action under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987, a State Department label as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist status. Together, these create a tight net, banning Americans from financial dealings with the group and choking its resources.

Within 90 days of passage, Secretary of State Marco Rubio would need to report on all Muslim Brotherhood branches globally, designating those that fit the criteria. This isn’t just paperwork; it’s a deliberate step to cripple operations that fuel terror, including known affiliates like Hamas, already labeled as such by the U.S.

A Unified Front Against Extremism

Cruz has carefully crafted this legislation to align with President Trump’s priorities while seeking bipartisan appeal, according to a source familiar with his strategy. The goal isn’t partisan posturing but a practical law that can be implemented swiftly to protect national interests.

Arab allies are also poised to welcome this move, with some officials indicating strong support for U.S. action mirroring their own designations. Momentum has been building, especially with Trump back in office, to revisit and resolve an issue left unfinished from his first term.

Ultimately, this bill challenges us to confront a network that’s dodged accountability for too long, hiding behind a veneer of non-violence in some corners while bankrolling terror in others. If passed, it could mark a turning point in how we safeguard our nation and stand with allies against extremist threats, proving that smart policy can outmaneuver even the slipperiest adversaries.