Updates
June 23, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending June 23, 2017
I. Congress Middle East foreign affairs made up only a small fraction of the agenda on Capitol Hill this week. Instead, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2018 consumed House Armed Service...
Learn more »June 16, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending June 16, 2017
I. Congress This was another busy week on Capitol Hill. Committees in both the House of Representatives and Senate held nearly 30 hearings on President Donald Trump’s proposed budget. The hearings come at a time...
Learn more »June 09, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending June 9, 2017
I. Congress The House of Representatives and Senate returned to session this week after the Memorial Day recess. Members reconvened to face an extremely busy week. Both chambers held a number of hearings, considered numerous...
Learn more »June 02, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending June 2, 2017
I. Congress The House and Senate were in recess this week for the Memorial Day holiday. The Senate will return to session June 5 and the House will get back to work the following day....
Learn more »May 26, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending May 26, 2017
It was a busy week in Washington, DC. Here is a quick glance at some of the developments on Capitol Hill and in the city. Executive Branch: President Donald Trump conducted his first trip abroad...
Learn more »May 19, 2017
Congressional Update – Week Ending May 19, 2017
I. Legislation Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2017: On May 17, the House of Representatives passed the Caesar Civilian Protection Act (H.R.1677) by voice vote under suspension of the rules. Legislation considered under “suspension”...
Learn more »May 12, 2017
Congressional Update Week Ending May 12, 2017
I. Congressional Update The House of Representatives was in recess this week and a number of members held fiery town hall meetings in their districts following the slim passage of the American Health Care Act....
Learn more »May 05, 2017
Congressional Update Week Ending May 5, 2017
I. Syria House Foreign Affairs Approves Syria Legislation: On May 3, the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) approved HR1677, the Caesar Civilian Protection Act, by a voice vote, after approving a substitute amendment offered by...
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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