Updates
January 18, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
I. Congress 1) Legislation Requiring Annual Reports on Religious Intolerance in Saudi Education Materials. On January 15, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina) introduced H.R. 554, which tasks the State Department with crafting an annual report...
Learn more »January 11, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
I. Congress 1) Legislation Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act. S. 1 was introduced last week, as detailed here, but it experienced some opposition this week due to what many describe as the...
Learn more »January 04, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
New Congress kicks off with a diverse House majority; senators look to get involved in US foreign policy early on; fallout continues from Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria; Hezbollah sued in US court.
Learn more »December 21, 2018
Washington Policy Weekly
Secretary Mattis resigns; as federal government shutdown looms, lawmakers introduce bills, resolutions on Israel, Iran, Palestinians; Trump withdraws troops from Syria; Haley finishes time at UN.
Learn more »December 14, 2018
Washington Policy Weekly
Congress moves bills rebuking Saudi Arabia and addressing genocide, human rights violations, and the use of human shields; Pompeo, Mattis, and Haspel brief House members; Rick Perry visits the Gulf, Iraq.
Learn more »December 07, 2018
Washington Policy Weekly
Lawmakers negotiate legislation to punish Saudi Arabia and MbS; senators hold confirmation hearings for ambassador to Yemen and new CENTCOM commander; CIA Director’s briefing on Khashoggi turns up heat on Trump Administration.
Learn more »November 30, 2018
Washington Policy Weekly
Lawmakers find votes to move Yemen war powers legislation; congressional action pending to protect Iraq, target Iran, and renew US-Jordanian defense cooperation; Trump team scuttles UN resolution on Yemen.
Learn more »November 16, 2018
Washington Policy Weekly – November 16, 2018
I. Congress 1) Legislation Manage Our Wolves Act. By a 201-187 vote, the House voted to adopt H.Res. 1142, which lays out rules for the House to consider a bill intended to remove the gray...
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...
Learn more »