Updates
March 20, 2019
The United States’ Human Rights Paradox
The Trump Administration sees human rights violations as a tool to be wielded against its foes, but Congress wants to make human rights a consistent pillar of US policy. Read about this and more from...
Learn more »March 13, 2019
Democrats and Republicans Split on Yemen
Democrats and Republicans have different understandings of the crisis in Yemen, which is dividing the parties over how to recalibrate US policy. Read about this issue as well as other Middle East news in Washington...
Learn more »March 06, 2019
Democrats Grapple with US Role in the Middle East
Democrats scrutinize the first two years of Trump’s foreign policy and grapple with a new path moving forward. Read this and more from the week in Washington.
Learn more »February 27, 2019
Saudi Arabia Between Congress and the Trump Administration
After a brief respite, tempers on Capitol Hill are again starting to flare up over Saudi Arabia, pitting Congress against President Trump. Read about this and other developments from the week in Washington.
Learn more »February 15, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
The US federal government avoids another partial shutdown; US-Saudi relations pit Pompeo against a group of senators; Pompeo attends Warsaw summit to mobilize opposition to Iran.
Learn more »February 08, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
This week’s legislation focuses on Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and War Powers Resolution; Rep. Engel and Sen. Cruz outline their visions of Congress’s role in foreign policy; lawmakers hold hearings on the Arabian Peninsula, counterterrorism, and...
Learn more »February 01, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
Lawmakers pursue legislation regarding Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen; Intelligence officials consider Iran, IS, Saudi Arabia in worldwide threat assessment; the Trump Administration looks to work around new ATCA restrictions on security aid to PA.
Learn more »January 25, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
Amid shutdown fight, the House passes Syria sanctions legislation; lawmakers have one week to decide whether they will amend a law that could jeopardize Israel-PA security cooperation; Treasury sanctions two militias in Syria.
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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