Updates
October 17, 2019
Congress Eyes Sanctions after Turkey’s Incursion into Syria
Marcus Montgomery discusses how the US Congress aims to levy even harsher sanctions to force Turkey to cease its operation and withdraw from northeastern Syria despite President Trump’s greenlighting the Turkish incursion there.
Learn more »October 09, 2019
On Palestine, Congress Is Not Quite Different from Trump
Marcus Montgomery reports that Congress wants to deliver more aid to the Palestinians than the Trump Administration had planned. However, the coercive conditions tied to that aid prove that lawmakers are just as punitive toward...
Learn more »October 02, 2019
Congress Is Still Striving for “Justice for Jamal”
Marcus Montgomery examines the actions of members of Congress as they demand justice for Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, one year after his murder by Saudi agents in Istanbul, Turkey.
Learn more »September 25, 2019
New Report Illustrates Folly of US Syria Policy
A Congress-mandated Syria Study Group recommends that the United States buys time in Syria while pressure builds on President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, with the aim of compelling governance changes over the long term.
Learn more »September 18, 2019
Congress Highlights Human Rights Abuses and Humanitarian Crises
Marcus Montgomery highlights congressional work on bringing attention to human rights abuses and humanitarian crises in the Middle East as the Trump Administration continues to ignore these issues in its relations with states in the...
Learn more »September 12, 2019
Is Congress Prepared to Respond to Netanyahu’s Annexation Plans?
In a speech on September 10, Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to annex part of the occupied West Bank in an effort to turn out support for his Likud Party in the run-up to the September 17...
Learn more »September 05, 2019
Congress’s Post-Recess Middle East Priorities
As Congress reconvenes after its August recess, groups of lawmakers will put forward initiatives to end the war in Yemen, buttress US-Israel relations, and increase pressure on Iran.
Learn more »August 28, 2019
Will US-led Negotiations in Yemen Be Successful?
Is the Trump Administration is prepared to exert the effort necessary to secure fruitful negotiations in Yemen, given the large number of factions with many diverging interests in the country?
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
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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