Updates
June 03, 2020
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports that Senator Menendez is mobilizing Democrats in the Senate against a Saudi arms sale; Senator Cruz wants to investigate Twitter for letting Iranian officials use its platform; and the Trump Administration coordinates...
Learn more »May 28, 2020
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on a congressional push for additional pro-Israel legislation, the Democrats' attempt to learn more about Mohammed bin Salman's involvement in Khashoggi's killing, and the administration's arms packages for Saudi Arabia and the...
Learn more »May 20, 2020
Will Saudi Arabia Face Another Tumultuous Summer in Washington?
Marcus Montgomery discusses why Saudi-US relations could experience a difficult summer following President Trump's firing of a State Department inspector who was investigating an arms deal to the kingdom, in addition to the FBI's discovery...
Learn more »May 13, 2020
The Trump Administration Sees a Path Forward in Syria
Marcus Montgomery explains that after a long period of indecisiveness, the United States appears to have charted a path forward in Syria, one that depends on questionable Russian cooperation.
Learn more »May 06, 2020
Capitol Hill Turns to Public Diplomacy to Challenge Trump’s Policies
With COVID-19 dominating the news, Congress has had little impact on foreign affairs. Now, however, lawmakers are taking their arguments before the public to force some shifts in US policy toward the Middle East.
Learn more »April 29, 2020
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on Senator Chris Murphy's criticism of Egypt's human rights record, Representative Tom Malinowski's opinion about sanctions on Iran, and the Trump Administration's support for Israel's annexation of parts of the occupied West...
Learn more »April 23, 2020
Washington Policy Weekly
In this week's report, Marcus Montgomery offers information on senators' efforts to further US-Israeli cooperation on fighting COVID-19; President Trump's confused policy on immigration; and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's nonchalance about Israeli annexation of...
Learn more »April 15, 2020
Did the Saudi-Led Oil Deal Diminish Republicans’ 2020 Electoral Chances?
Because the health of the US economy is critical for Donald Trump's reelection hopes, Marcus Montgomery asks if the recent Saudi-led OPEC+ cuts will contribute to more economic uncertainty and, therefore, undermine the president’s 2020...
Learn more »Reports
May 31, 2017
H.R. 2712: Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2017
On May 25, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Florida) introduced H.R. 2712, “a bill to impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for Palestinian terrorism, and for other purposes.” As of May 30, the bill had garnered...
Learn more »January 06, 2017
House and Senate Introduce Resolutions Disapproving the UNSC Resolution on Israeli Settlements
On January 5, 2017, the US House of Representatives, by a vote of 342-80, passed HRes11, a non-binding resolution objecting to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2334 as an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace....
Learn more »November 17, 2016
House Votes in Favor of Syria Sanctions
On Tuesday, November 15, the House agreed, by a unanimous voice vote, to pass HR5732, the Caesar Civilian Protection Act of 2016, a bill that would impose new sanctions on the Syrian government and its...
Learn more »September 29, 2016
Congress Overrides Presidential Veto of JASTA Legislation
Despite an intensive lobbying effort by Saudi Arabia’s many lobbyists against the Justice against State Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), the House and Senate on September 28 voted to override the President’s veto. This...
Learn more »May 23, 2016
US-Saudi Relations – Update: Senate Passes Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act
On May 17, the Senate passed by voice vote S2040 The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, referred to as the “JASTA,” after agreeing to a substitute amendment. The amendment, S.Amdt. 3945, was offered...
Learn more »May 04, 2016
Saudi Arabia: Under Congressional Scrutiny
There has been a debate in Washington about the nature of the US-Saudi relationship which recently has been fraught with tension due largely to the Iran nuclear deal, but also the diminution of American...
Learn more »April 20, 2016
Who is Behind the Effort to Declare the Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Organization
(amended) The issue of designating the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) has gained momentum in recent months. During an April 13 hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East...
Learn more »November 02, 2015
Representative Paul Ryan: Speaker of the US House of Representatives
Roxanne Perugino
Learn more »How Congress Works
How the Electoral College Works
The Electoral College has served as a vehicle for American democracy since the country’s birth over two centuries ago. Yet, not many people (including Americans) understand how the Electoral College works. Below is a quick...
Learn more »Glossary of Legislative Terms
Act – A bill passed in identical Form by both houses of Congress and signed into law by the President or enacted over his veto. Also called a Public Law. Amendment – A proposal by...
Learn more »Understanding The US Legislative Process
Forms of Congressional Action Under the US Constitution, Congress initiates legislation. Legislation passed by Congress must be signed by the President to become law. Congressional action is usually undertaken in one of four major forms:...
Learn more »Foreign Assistance Legislation: The Authorization and Appropriation Process
Authorization versus Appropriations Legislation Theory: In theory, Congress should follow a two-step legislative process (authorization and appropriation) that produces two separate laws governing foreign assistance. Foreign assistance authorization legislation – usually referred to as the...
Learn more »The Foreign Policy Powers of Congress
The US Constitution contains ambiguities regarding the roles of Congress and the President in making foreign policy. In practice, strong Presidents and legislators have often asserted their prerogatives in this area at the expense of...
Learn more »