Updates
August 21, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery posits that after Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar were barred entry to Israel and the Palestinian territories, will House Democrats castigate the American and Israeli ambassadors?
Learn more »August 14, 2019
Middle East States View Congress as a Second-Tier Actor
Middle East states view Congress as a second-tier actor in Washington and have calculated that flattering President Donald Trump is the most effective way to further their policy interests.
Learn more »August 07, 2019
The United States’ Confused Iran Policy
Marcus Montgomery disputes the Trump Administration’s repeated assertion that its “maximum pressure campaign” will bring Iran to the negotiating table and questions the purpose and efficacy of the White House’s strategy.
Learn more »July 31, 2019
Are Democrats Alone in Challenging Saudi Arabia?
Bipartisan consensus in Congress on recalibrating US-Saudi relations has dissipated amid partisanship and apathy. As the Trump Administration moves forward in support of Riyadh, the Democrats are alone in challenging the US-Saudi relationship.
Learn more »July 24, 2019
Washington Policy Weekly
During a very busy week, Congress passed legislation in support of Israel and in opposition to arms sales for Saudi Arabia. Jared Kushner and company make plans to visit Israel and Arab states to follow...
Learn more »July 17, 2019
Congress Deliberates US-Iraq Relations
Marcus Montgomery discusses Congress’s deliberations with the Trump Administration about US-Iraqi relations. One of the important considerations is whether Washington should continue its current partnership with Baghdad or invest in a more robust relationship.
Learn more »July 10, 2019
Republicans Define What It Means to Be Pro-Israel
The definition of “standing with Israel,” one held by high profile Republican officials and members of Congress who spoke at the Christians United for Israel annual summit, is narrow, biased, and exclusionary.
Learn more »July 03, 2019
Congress Has Been Deafeningly Quiet on the Bahrain Meeting
since Jared Kushner convened his economic workshop in Bahrain last month, nearly every prominent member of Congress has been silent on the plan, signaling skepticism and lack of confidence in Trump’s overall peace deal.
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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