Updates
April 12, 2021
Biden Revamps Middle East Policy. Some Lawmakers Won’t Stand for It
Marcus Montgomery writes about the Biden Administration’s policies toward Yemen, Iran, and Palestine and some lawmakers’ objections to announced diplomatic overtures and initiatives. He also reports on legislative and executive actions about women in the...
Learn more »April 05, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on lawmakers’ continuing efforts to influence Iran policy; State Department officials’ plans to make progress on Yemen, Syria, and the Egyptian-Sudanese-Ethiopian dispute over the Renaissance Dam; US sanctions on a Hezbollah official;...
Learn more »March 29, 2021
Washington Takes First Step to Reform War Powers
Marcus Montgomery analyzes congressional efforts to reform old authorizations for use of military force, including the Vietnam-era War Powers Act that gives Congress a say in such decisions. He reports on legislative markups of Middle...
Learn more »March 22, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on congressional action to rescind old authorizations for the use of military force in the Middle East; briefings on human rights in Iran and Saudi Arabia; Secretary of State Blinken’s discussions with...
Learn more »March 15, 2021
Congress Outlines Its 2021 Foreign Policy Priorities
Marcus Montgomery discusses the desire of members of Congress to reassert their mandate as a coequal branch of government in formulating and executing American foreign policy. He reports on congressional efforts to influence policy on...
Learn more »March 08, 2021
After Iran, Saudi Arabia Faces Scrutiny in Biden’s Washington
Marcus Montgomery discusses the impact of congressional pressures on the Biden Administration as it formulates policy toward Saudi Arabia. Montgomery also reports on efforts by members of Congress to influence policy toward Iran and Israel;...
Learn more »March 01, 2021
President Biden Faces a Washington Divided over Iran
Although President Joe Biden has expressed an interest in reorienting US foreign policy away from the Middle East, Iran continues to be an issue that his administration must address. This week, members of the Biden...
Learn more »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 »Reports
March 18, 2021
Meet the Biden Administration’s Middle East Policy Makers
Marcus Montgomery reports on the Biden Administration’s team in charge of foreign and national security policy. This includes short descriptions of the experience of top officials as well as the names of lower-ranking personnel at...
Learn more »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 »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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