Updates
January 15, 2020
War Powers: An Overview
Marcus Montgomery discusses congressional efforts to prevent a potential war with Iran, providing important background information on the authorities that members of Congress are using to reclaim some of their war powers.
Learn more »January 08, 2020
Washington Braces for Fallout from Operation That Killed Qassem Soleimani
After the United States assassinated Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, Washington has been bracing for retaliation by Iran while considering calls for de-escalation.
Learn more »December 18, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
Congress approved the fiscal year 2020 defense budget and is working to fund the government before the December 20 deadline; lawmakers are questioning the Trump Administration about Iran sanctions and potential Turkish war crimes; and...
Learn more »December 11, 2019
Washington Grapples with How to Respond to Turbulent Middle East
Marcus Montgomery examines the administration’s reassessment of its posture in the Middle East as officials grappled this week with how best to use military assets in the region and how to respond to protests in...
Learn more »December 04, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
Members of Congress met with controversial business leaders—a Palestinian and an Israeli--from the West Bank while two senators sought to sanction Turkey. Meanwhile, the White House quietly released aid to Lebanon.
Learn more »November 27, 2019
The Conflict in Libya Resurfaces on Washington’s Agenda
Marcus Montgomery discusses the renewed interest in both Congress and the Trump Administration to address the ongoing conflict in Libya and asks whether the United States will spend the political capital necessary to make progress...
Learn more »November 20, 2019
America First or America Alone?
Marcus Montgomery is skeptical about the Trump Administration’s commitment to multilateral efforts to defeat the Islamic State and secure the Arabian Gulf while expediently emphasizing the “American First” principle.
Learn more »November 13, 2019
President Erdoğan Comes to Washington
Marcus Montgomery posits that despite congressional opposition to his visit to the White House, Turkish President Erdoğan was sure to find a warm welcome from President Trump.
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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