Updates
November 25, 2020
The Fight for the Post-Trump Future of US-Saudi Relations Begins
Marcus Montgomery writes that the Trump Administration’s uncritical approach toward Saudi Arabia over the last four years is likely to change under a Biden presidency. He suggests that a combative Congress will insist on questioning...
Learn more »November 19, 2020
Washington Policy Weekly
In his report this week, Marcus Montgomery writes that House lawmakers passed bills related to Libya and East African Arab states; senators attempted to scuttle UAE arms deals; and the Trump Administration worked to put...
Learn more »November 11, 2020
Trump’s Parting Gift: No Diplomacy with Iran
Marcus Montgomery writes that the Trump Administration is continuing and expanding its hard-line policy on Iran in an effort to block all possible paths to diplomacy by a future Biden administration.
Learn more »November 04, 2020
Washington Policy Weekly
In news from Washington, Marcus Montgomery reports that lawmakers introduced legislation to condition arms sales to the Middle East, vet potential IS fighters; the Trump Administration signed an agreement on immunities with Sudan; and Defense...
Learn more »October 28, 2020
Trump Administration Sprints to Make Foreign Policy Irreversible before Elections
With the Trump Administration facing the prospects of losing power, Marcus Montgomery argues that President Trump and his top Middle East officials are working overtime to secure their longtime ambitions vis-à-vis Israel and Iran and...
Learn more »October 22, 2020
Washington Policy Weekly
This week in Washington, Marcus Montgomery reports on US lawmakers’ demand for accountability from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey; the White House’s meeting with Lebanon's spy chief in a bid to free Americans from Syria;...
Learn more »October 15, 2020
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on US lawmakers’ concerns about arms sales in the Middle East; the Trump Administration’s launch of the first US-Saudi strategic dialogue; and US participation in negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to demarcate...
Learn more »October 08, 2020
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on congressional efforts to seek accountability from Saudi Arabia for Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and on proposed legislation to protect Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East.
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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