I. Legislative Branch
Personnel and Correspondence
Congress Pushes for Progress on Sudan. On August 27, 50 Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power to urge the Biden administration to scale up humanitarian aid to Sudan. On August 28, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) called for immediate action to stop mass atrocities in Sudan’s El Fasher.
Chair of Intelligence Committee Seeks Action Against Iran. On August 27, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling for “action against Iran for targeting former President Donald Trump and members of his administration and attempting to influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.”
HFAC Chair Commemorates Death of American Journalist in Syria. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) released a statement on August 29 honoring James Foley, an American journalist who was held hostage and murdered by the so-called Islamic State ten years ago. McCaul called on the Biden administration to “prioritize securing the unconditional release of American hostages.”
McCaul Criticizes Biden on Gaza Pier. On August 29, HFAC Chairman McCaul released a statement criticizing the Biden administration for the Gaza humanitarian pier operation, following the issuance of a report from the Office of the Inspector General at USAID. McCaul asserted that “the administration repeatedly disregarded the advice of its own subject matter experts” and that “it is no surprise to see that the project fell far, far short of its goals in delivering aid.”
Congressional Democrats Speak Out on Hostage Deaths. On September 1, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued statements about Israel’s recovery on Saturday of the bodies of six Hamas hostages, including an American-Israeli. Both lawmakers reiterated their support for a ceasefire/hostage release deal in Gaza.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Kirby Says Negotiators Continuing to Iron Out Ceasefire Details. On August 26, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters that ceasefire negotiations would continue. Kirby noted that negotiators are working on details relating to the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Harris Says No Change in Israel Arms Policy. On August 29, Vice President Kamala Harris told CNN that she would not change US policy on regarding arms transfers to Israel should she win the November 5 election. Harris stated that she is unwavering in [her] commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself and added that “far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.” Harris also reiterated her support for a two-state solution “where Israel is secure and in equal measure the Palestinians have security and self-determination and dignity.”
White House Reacts to News of Hostage Deaths. On August 31, the White House released statements from President Biden and Vice President Harris on the six dead Israeli hostages.
Biden Says Netanyahu Not Doing Enough on Ceasefire. On September 2, President Biden told reporters that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not done enough to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. On the same day, Biden convened a situation room meeting with members of his national security team to discuss the ceasefire talks.
2) Department of State
Department Welcomes Humanitarian Breakthrough in Sudan. On August 26, Secretary Blinken welcomed the resumption of humanitarian assistance deliveries from Chad into Sudan and diplomatic efforts to reopen emergency aid deliveries to famine-stricken portions of Darfur.
Department Announces Sanctions on Israeli Extremists. On August 28, the Department of State imposed sanctions on an Israeli organization and settler involved in extremist violence in the West Bank.
Sudan Envoy Calls Out International Community’s Weak Response to Crisis. Speaking to reporters on August 29, Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello said that despite progress made at the recent Switzerland Sudan talks, there remains a “lack of political will at the time for the parties to stop fighting.” Perriello stated that the international community has so far “failed to meet the level of urgency for the crisis of Sudan” and called for renewed efforts to discourage the flow of arms into the conflict.
3) Department of Defense
Secretary Austin Speaks with Israeli Counterpart. On September 1, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant about Israel’s recovery of the remains of six Gaza hostages, affirming their “mutual commitment to swiftly reaching a ceasefire deal to secure the release of all of the hostages.” Austin also expressed concern over rising tensions in the West Bank.
4) United States Agency for International Development
Administrator Power Meets with WFP Head. On August 29, Administrator Samantha Power met with UN World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain to discuss humanitarian response efforts in Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen. Their conversation addressed a recent Israeli military attack on a WFP vehicle that was delivering humanitarian aid on a pre-approved route, WFP’s efforts to scale up cross-border assistance in Sudan, and Houthi detentions of humanitarian workers.
