Updates
February 17, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on congressional legislation to increase the number of refugees allowed into the United States; leadership changes reflecting the Democratic Party’s majority in both houses of Congress; Secretary of State Blinken’s discussions with...
Learn more »February 10, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
I. Congress On February 9, the US Senate commenced the second impeachment trial of former President Donald J. Trump to examine his role in inciting the January 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol complex....
Learn more »February 10, 2021
Donald Trump’s Second Impeachment Trial: Procedure and Prospects
The unprecedented second trial of former President Donald Trump in the US Senate has caused global political reverberations and generated worldwide discussions about American democracy and domestic affairs. ACW Congressional Fellow Marcus Montgomery discusses the...
Learn more »February 03, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on freshman Congressman Jamaal Bowman’s call on Israel to vaccinate Palestinians; Republican Senator James Inhofe’s warning to Biden on Iran policy; the Biden Administration’s early diplomatic steps toward Iran and the Palestinian...
Learn more »January 27, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on the creation of the "Egypt Human Rights Caucus" in the House of Representatives; Rep. Adam Schiff’s request to DNI Avril Haines to release the secret report on Jamal Khashoggi’s killing; and...
Learn more »January 21, 2021
Biden Administration Nominees Share Designs for Middle East Policy
Marcus Montgomery reports on confirmation hearings in Congress for the first group of national security officials in the Biden Administration. He highlights early congressional action to suspend arms supplies to Saudi Arabia; the Trump Administration’s...
Learn more »January 13, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on the start of the 117th Congress with House members trying to repeal two resolutions from 2001 and 2002 authorizing the use of military force and to enhance lawmakers’ role in arms...
Learn more »January 06, 2021
US-Iran Relations Loom as Biden’s First Foreign Policy Test
Marcus Montgomery reports on the urgency of addressing Iran-related policy by the incoming Biden Administration despite the litany of domestic challenges it faces following inauguration on January 20. He also highlights congressional actions regarding arms...
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...
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