
I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
New Legislation Focuses on Anti-Semitism. On June 3, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) introduced H.R.3691 to create a national commission to investigate anti-Semitic violence. On June 4, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced S.Res.261 to condemn the recent killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington. Also on June 4, lawmakers introduced H.Res.472, H.Res.476, and S.Res.263 to condemn the recent attack on an event in Boulder, Colorado, for Israeli hostages. On June 5, Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ) introduced H.Res.481, which condemns the Boulder attack, anti-Semitism, and politically motivated violence.
Republican Bill Targets Palestinian Entry to United States. On June 4, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced H.R.3724, which would deny persons who have resided in Palestinian-administered territories or who hold passports or other travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority entry into the United States.
House Bill Seeks to Exempt Israel from Tariffs. On June 4, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) introduced H.R.3727 to exempt imports from Israel (as well as from Ukraine) from duties imposed under the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariff executive order.
House Democrat Pushes Gaza Humanitarian Aid. On June 4, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) introduced H.Res.473, which calls for the distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
House Resolution Calls for Appointment of Special Envoy for Sudan. On June 5, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced H.Res.479, which calls for the appointment of a special envoy for Sudan to address the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Lawmakers Seek Terrorist Designation for Muslim Brotherhood. On June 3, Rep. Moskowitz (D-FL) urged President Donald Trump to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. On the same day, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) stated that he would be reintroducing the “Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act.”
SFRC Chairman Skeptical of Iran Talks. On June 4, Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID) cast doubt on nuclear negotiations with Iran, saying that he is “not particularly optimistic” that a satisfactory deal will be reached. Risch also expressed support for the Lebanese government, reiterated sanctions relief conditions for Syria, and raised concerns about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
House Lawmakers Insist on Denying Iran Nuclear Enrichment. On June 6, Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY) led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steven Witkoff demanding that Iran’s uranium enrichment capability be dismantled.
Bipartisan Letter Calls for Social Media Content Moderation. On June 6, Reps. Wesley Bell (D-MO) and Don Bacon (R-NE) led a bipartisan letter urging major social media companies to take action against hate speech and incitement to violence on their platforms, citing recent attacks in Washington and Boulder.
3) Hearings and Briefings
House Education Committee Addresses Campus Protests. On June 4, the House Committee on Education and Workforce held a hearing on the priorities of the Department of Education, featuring testimony from Secretary Linda McMahon. Secretary McMahon committed to enforcing bans on protest encampments and facemasks and to screening students and faculty. McMahon noted that the Department’s Office for Civil Rights has opened investigations into alleged anti-Semitic activity at several higher education institutions.
House Oversight Committee Holds Hearing on NGO Funding. On June 4, the House Committee on Oversight held a hearing on public funding for non-governmental organizations (NGO), with Republicans attacking US foreign aid programs and humanitarian NGOs as “slush funds” for the Democratic Party. Democrats defended such organizations by emphasizing their essential role in social services and in maintaining American credibility on the world stage.
HFAC Holds Hearing on Syria. On June 5, the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) held a hearing on Syria, focusing on sanctions relief, the so-called Islamic State, and regional security.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Administration Backs Syria’s Plan to Fold Foreign Fighters into Military. On June 2, Reuters reported that the Trump administration’s Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack says that the administration agrees with Syria’s plan to incorporate foreign rebel fighters into the national military.
White House Skeptical of Death Toll at Gaza Aid Sites. On June 3, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the Trump administration is looking into reports of deaths at aid distribution sites in Gaza. She criticized media outlets for their coverage of the incidents.
Trump Announces Travel Ban. On June 4, President Trump suspended the entry into the United States of nationals from Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, along with several countries in Africa and Asia.
Trump Says Iran “Slowwalking” Negotiations. On June 4, President Trump wrote on social media that he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about potentially participating in nuclear negotiations with Iran. Trump added that Iran has been “slowwalking their decision” on a nuclear deal and stated that the United States needs a “definitive answer” on its recent proposal.
2) Department of State
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Saudi Foreign Minister. On June 2, Secretary Rubio spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about stabilization in Syria and Gaza as well as other issues.
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Turkish Foreign Minister. On June 3, Secretary Rubio spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about Syria along with other topics.
US Officials Hold Meeting on Sudan. On June 3, Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau and Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos convened a meeting on Sudan with ambassadors from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, to discuss an increase in emergency relief and a political solution to the conflict.
US Military Presence in Syria to Scale Down. On June 3, Special Envoy to Syria Barrack stated that the United States will reduce its military presence in Syria from eight bases to one.
Department Condemns Attack on Humanitarian Convoy in Sudan. On June 4, the United States joined Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, the African Union, and the United Nations in a statement that condemned a recent attack on a UN humanitarian convoy in Sudan that caused the death of humanitarian personnel and the destruction of aid.
Department Approves $325 Million Tank Sale to Kuwait. On June 4, the Department approved a Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait of the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank System Sustainment Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $325 million.
United States Vetoes Security Council Resolution on Gaza Ceasefire. On June 4, the United States vetoed a resolution at the UN Security Council calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the resumption of humanitarian aid. The US veto was the lone vote against the measure. Secretary Rubio said that the Trump administration “will not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas, does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza, draws a false equivalence between Israel and Hamas, or disregards Israel’s right to defend itself.”
Secretary Rubio Announces Recovery of Two Hostages in Gaza. On June 5, Secretary Rubio announced that Israeli forces had recovered the remains of two American hostages in Gaza.
Trump Administration Sanctions ICC Judges. On June 5, Secretary Rubio announced sanctions on four judges on the International Criminal Court due to the court’s investigation into Israel’s war on Gaza.
3) Department of Defense
Secretary Hegseth Speaks with Bahraini Prime Minister. On June 1, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke with Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa about US-Bahraini defense ties.
AFRICOM Conducts Strikes in Somalia. On June 2, US forces conducted airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State in Somalia.
Trump Nominates New CENTCOM and AFRICOM Commanders. On June 4, President Trump nominated Vice Adm. Brad Cooper to serve as commander of CENTCOM and Lt. Gen. Dagvin Anderson to serve as commander of AFRICOM.
CENTCOM Reviews May Counter-ISIS Operations. On June 5, CENTCOM announced that US forces had supported partner forces in operations in Iraq and Syria in late May against the so-called Islamic State.
4) Department of Education
Trump Administration Continues Attack on Higher Education. On June 4, the Department of Education announced that it had determined that Columbia University violated federal antidiscrimination laws regarding pro-Palestine campus protests and therefore failed to meet the standards for accreditation. The administration also announced a new policy of suspending visas for students attending Harvard University, citing alleged national security risks and the university’s alleged noncompliance with federal law.
5) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Announces New Sanctions Targeting Iran. On June 6, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced new sanctions on persons and entities with ties to alleged money laundering for Iran.