I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Bipartisan House Bill Would Block Donations from Nations Accused of Supporting Terrorism. On September 24, Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) introduced H.R.9793, the “No Foreign Gifts Act,” which would require higher education institutions to receive approval from the US Secretary of State for foreign donations, or risk losing federal funding. The legislation covers China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and “other countries that support terrorism,” according to a statement from Rep. Garbarino, who said that “for far too long, radical organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine have been propped up by foreign entities with connections to terrorism.”
Senate Passes Resolution Honoring Murdered Palestinian-American Boy. On September 24, the Senate passed S.Res.847, honoring the life of Wadee Alfayoumi, a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy who was murdered in October 2023 in a hate crime for his Palestinian-Muslim identity.
Sanders Seeks to Block US Arms Sales to Israel. On September 25, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) led, with Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), a series of joint resolutions to block the sale of more than $20 billion in offensive weapons to Israel.
Ernst Introduces Resolution on US Support for Israel. On September 25, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced S.Res.890, to condemn the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel, reiterate US support for Israel, and push for the release of American hostages from Gaza.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
House Letter Urges Biden to Address Sudan During UAE Leader’s Visit. On September 20, Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Daniel T. Kildee (D-MI) wrote to President Joe Biden ahead of his September 23 White House meeting with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, urging him to press the Emirati leader to cease support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces.
Senate Dems Seek Info on AI Use in Gaza. On September 20, Senator Welch and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) requested information from Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the use of artificial intelligence in Gaza and other international conflicts.
McCaul: Iraq Troop Withdrawal Should be “Conditions-Based.” In a September 23 press release, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Chair Michael McCaul (R-TX) raised concerns about a time-bound withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and called for any pullout to be “conditions-based.”
Democrats Seek US Investigation of Eygi Killing. On September 24, 103 Representatives and Senators, led by Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), wrote to President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for an independent US investigation into the Israeli military’s September 6 killing of American citizen Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the occupied West Bank.
Ways and Means Chair Wants to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status for Pro-Palestine Groups. On September 24, Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO) demanded that Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Daniel Werfel investigate and ultimately revoke the tax-exempt status of Students for Justice in Palestine and American Muslims for Palestine.
SFRC Chair Meets with UN Leadership. On September 25, Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Chair Ben Cardin (D-MD) met with UN officials to discuss Sudan and Gaza. Cardin also “expressed concern over anti-Israel bias and rising anti-Semitism at the UN.”
Bipartisan Group Condemns Meta Decision to Allow “From the River to the Sea.” On September 25, a bipartisan group of 16 representatives wrote to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, condemning Meta’s Oversight Board’s recent ruling that the phrase “from the river to the sea” does not violate the company’s hate speech content rules.
3) Hearings and Briefings
HFAC Holds Markup on Key Legislation. On September 24, HFAC marked up various pieces of legislation, including a bill, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), to address human rights abuses, student indoctrination, and attempted aid diversion by Yemen’s Houthis.
SFRC Holds Hearing on Cybersecurity and Authoritarianism. On September 24, SFRC held a hearing on cyberspace, authoritarianism, and global competition, focusing on threats posed by Iran in the cyber domain.
Congress Reacts to Nasrallah Killing. On September 28, the leadership of SFRC and HFAC responded to Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Sen. Cardin and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) reacted positively to the news while reiterating the importance of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the regional tensions. Rep. McCaul and Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) expressed support for Israel and encouraged further action against Hezbollah.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
White House Hosts UAE President. On September 23, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris each met separately with UAE President Nahyan at the White House. The two governments issued a plan for artificial intelligence cooperation and discussed supply chain infrastructure, clean energy transition, space exploration, and the Gaza and Sudan conflicts.
Biden Addresses UNGA. On September 24, President Biden addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in his final speech before the body. On Gaza, Biden said, “Innocent civilians…are also going through hell. They didn’t ask for this war that Hamas started.” He called for an end to the wars in Gaza and Sudan and for de-escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.
Biden Pushes for 21-Day Lebanon Ceasefire. On September 26, President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly announced a proposal for a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, noting that Australia, Canada, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Qatar endorsed the plan. In a press briefing the same day, Biden administration officials explained that the ceasefire would be for 21 days. National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said that the US administration “wouldn’t have made [the September 26] statement…if we didn’t have reason to believe that the conversations that we were having with the Israelis in particular were supportive of the goal there.”
Biden, Harris React to Israeli Operation on Nasrallah. On September 28, President Biden and Vice President Harris each issued statements on Nasrallah’s killing, with both calling Israel’s operation a “measure of justice.” Biden said that he has directed additional forces to the region to enhance the US defense posture and that the administration continues to seek de-escalation through diplomatic means. Harris expressed “unwavering commitment to the security of Israel” and desire to see de-escalation.
2) Department of State
Secretary Blinken Meets with Iraqi Prime Minister. On September 23, Secretary Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on the sidelines of the UNGA. They reaffirmed their commitment to the US-Iraq strategic partnership and discussed “transitioning the military mission of the [counter-Islamic State] coalition in Iraq.”
Department Approves Military Sales to Egypt and Iraq. On September 24, the Department of State approved a possible military sale to Egypt of Stinger missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $740 million. On the same day, the department also approved a sale to Iraq of vessel maintenance and repair and related equipment for $65 million.
G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement Outlines Regional Security Goals. On September 24, Secretary Blinken released a joint statement with G7 foreign ministers. The signatories reiterated the importance of ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, called on all parties to comply with international law, and expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in both conflicts. The statement also reaffirmed the G7’s commitment to a two-state solution, condemned Israel’s expansion of settlement outposts and settler violence, and addressed Iran’s regional actions and the Sudan war.
United States Admits Qatar into Visa Waiver Program. On September 24, Secretary Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the designation of Qatar into the Visa Waiver Program, making Qatar the first Gulf country to be admitted.
Blinken Acknowledges that Parts of US Government Called for Israel Weapons Cutoff. On September 24, ProPublica reported that Secretary Blinken had not accepted internal US government findings in April that Israel had interfered with the delivery of US-funded humanitarian aid to Gaza, actions that US law says requires a cutoff of US weapons to Israel.
Blinken downplayed the report, saying on September 25 that “we had a report to put out on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and what Israel was doing…and I had different assessments from different parts of the State Department, from…USAID. My job is to sort through them, which I did, draw some conclusions from that, and we put out our report. And we found that Israel needed to do a better job on the humanitarian assistance. We’ve seen improvements since then. It’s still not sufficient.”
US Issues Joint Statement on Sudan. On September 25, the Department of State announced that the United States joined Germany, France, and the European Union in calling for the warring parties in Sudan to cease hostilities and ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, and for foreign actors to refrain from providing military support to either side.
Blinken Meets with UAE and Turkish Foreign Ministers. On September 26, Secretary Blinken met with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss Sudan and Lebanon-Israel and Gaza ceasefire efforts. Blinken welcomed the UAE as a Major Defense Partner. On the same day, Blinken discussed regional security issues with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Blinken Meets with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister. On September 26, Secretary Blinken met at UNGA with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer to discuss ceasefire efforts in Lebanon and Gaza. According to the Department of State readout, Blinken also “discussed steps Israel needs to take to improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.” At a September 27 press conference, Blinken said that “the objective that Israel has in the first instance in Lebanon is an important and legitimate one.”
US Issues Joint Statement on Libya. On September 26, following a senior officials meeting on the sidelines of UNGA, the Department of State issued a joint statement with Italy concerning “the political stalemate and deepening divisions in Libya,” and stressing the importance of “free, fair, transparent and inclusive presidential and parliamentary elections based on an inclusive political agreement and viable electoral laws.”
Department Announces New Aid for Syria. On September 26, on the margins of UNGA, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya announced nearly $535 million in additional US humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people. The new aid includes $235 million through the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and nearly $300 million through the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
3) Department of Defense
Secretary Austin Calls Saudi Minister of Defense. On September 20, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Saudi Minister of Defense Khalid Bin Salman to discuss regional security and the strengthening of the US-Saudi defense partnership.
Defense Officials Talk Escalating Israel-Lebanon Tensions. On September 22, Secretary Austin conveyed to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that the United States is postured to deter any threats to Israel or US forces. On September 25, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda Dory met with Israel Ministry of Defense Director General Eyal Zamir to discuss Israel’s operations against Hamas and Hezbollah and the need to reduce harm to civilians. At a press conference on September 26, Secretary Austin reiterated his support for a ceasefire along Lebanon’s Blue Line.
Pentagon: New Troop Deployments to Region for Force Protection Only. On September 23, Department of Defense Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that the department has deployed additional military personnel to the region “to augment our forces that are already in the region.” On September 25, Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that “the US military has no involvement in Israel’s operation [in Lebanon].” On September 29, Ryder stated that the department would direct additional US forces and defensive air-support capabilities to the region in the coming days.
US and Libyan Defense Officials Meet. On September 23, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander met with Libyan officials to discuss increased military cooperation and long-term military unification in Libya.
Secretary Austin Speaks with Gallant after Nasrallah Assassination. On September 28, Secretary Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to discuss the situation in Lebanon. Austin “expressed full support for Israel’s right to defend itself” and stated that the United States is determined to prevent the conflict from expanding.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Official Meets with Israeli Central Bank Head, Jordanian King, Iraqi Prime Minister. On September 23, on the sidelines of UNGA, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo urged the Governor of the Central Bank of Israel Amir Yaron to extend Israel’s banking relationships with Palestinian banks for at least a year to prevent an economic crisis in the West Bank and to strengthen “Israel’s security by countering financial flows funding terror groups.” Adeyemo also met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II to discuss the US-Jordan partnership and economic stability in the West Bank. Additionally, Adeyemo met with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani about Iraqi banking sector reform, combatting illicit finance, and non-oil economic growth.
Treasury Sanctions Iran and Hezbollah Financial Network. On September 25, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced new sanctions against networks benefitting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force and Hezbollah.
5) United States Agency for International Development
Administrator Power Meets with UAE Assistant Minister. On September 20, USAID Administrator Samantha Power met with UAE Assistant Minister for Political Affairs Lana Nusseibeh about humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen.
USAID Announces Additional Aid for Sudan and Libya. On September 25, the Biden administration announced $424 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Sudan and neighboring refugee-hosting countries, with $276 million provided through USAID and more than $147 million through the Department of State. On September 26, USAID announced $5 million in assistance to support Sudanese refugees in Libya.
