Updates
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 »November 09, 2018
Washington Policy Weekly – November 9, 2018
Democrats control the House of Representatives; three Arab American women enter Congress; Washington mobilizes support for Iran sanctions; Trump Administration backs Sudan at SCOTUS.
Learn more »November 02, 2018
Washington Policy Weekly – November 2, 2018
Senators call on Trump to halt nuclear talks with Saudi Arabia; Nauert tapped to be ambassador to United Nations; Pompeo, Mattis call on both sides of Yemen war to negotiate an end to hostilities, starting...
Learn more »October 26, 2018
Washington Policy Weekly – October 26, 2018
Lawmakers continue their push to hold Saudi Arabia responsible for Khashoggi’s death; Sen. Warren wants an investigation into US mercenaries in Yemen; shuttle diplomacy takes Trump team throughout the Arab world.
Learn more »October 19, 2018
Congressional Update – Week Ending October 19, 2018
The fallout from Jamal Khashoggi’s murder continues to reverberate in Washington, pitting Congress against President Trump; Treasury, Justice Departments set their sights on Iran’s Basij, Hezbollah in Latin America.
Learn more »October 12, 2018
Congressional Update – Week Ending October 12, 2018
Senators pass a spate of Middle East-related bills before going on recess for the rest of the month; Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance rattles Washington, pitting Capitol Hill against the White House; Amb. Nikki Haley tenders her...
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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