Updates
August 18, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending August 18, 2017
I. Congress Congress remains on recess and will return for legislative business on September 5. II. The Executive Branch Although lawmakers are away, the White House and other executive agencies are busy attending to developments...
Learn more »August 11, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending August 11, 2017
Congress is out of session for the month of August and, during the recess, lawmakers have time to hold town hall meetings with their constituents. However, there are substantially fewer town hall meetings being held...
Learn more »August 04, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending August 4, 2017
I. Congress The Senate used the first week of August to confirm dozens of presidential appointees and pass some important pieces of legislation. But, with the collapse of Affordable Care Act repeal efforts in late...
Learn more »July 28, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending July 28, 2017
I. Congress The House of Representatives finished its business and, barring unexpected developments, will leave Washington for its August recess. As of now, the Senate plans to be in session for the first two weeks...
Learn more »July 21, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending July 21, 2017
I. Congress 1) Legislation The majority of the House of Representatives’ workload this week focused on preparing the twelve necessary appropriations bills to fund the federal government next fiscal year (which begins on October 1). Normally,...
Learn more »July 14, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending July 14, 2017
I. Congress 1) Legislation Calling for Release of Unjustly Detained US Citizens. On July 10, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced S. Res. 216, which calls on the government of Iran to release the US citizens...
Learn more »July 07, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending July 7, 2017
I. Congress Lawmakers had the week off in observance of Independence Day. A daunting policy schedule awaits their return as leaders in both chambers pursue an ambitious agenda in the few weeks before the month-long...
Learn more »June 30, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending June 30, 2017
I. Congress Capitol Hill was very busy again this week in the run-up to the July 4 recess. In the House of Representatives, there were several markups on budget items, including a full committee markup...
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
House Republicans returned to Washington October 20 faced with nominating a new Speaker of the House following House Majority Leader Tim McCarthy’s withdrawal from the Speaker’s race. McCarthy’s surprising withdrawal from the Speaker’s race, for...
Learn more »How Congress Works
A Looming Collision: Donald Trump and Presidential War Powers
The first few weeks of President Donald Trump’s first term have been newsworthy, to say the least. But the same inauguration that ushered him into the White House was also symbolic for another reason. He...
Learn more »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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