I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill Targets Protesters. On March 11, Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC) introduced H.R.2065, the “Unmasking Hamas Act,” which would increase penalties for individuals, targeting participants in pro-Palestine protests, who use a mask or disguise while damaging federal property or infringing on a constitutionally protected right.
House Bill Would Revoke Visas of Alleged FTO Supporters. On March 18, Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) introduced H.R.2204, which would revoke the student visas of those allegedly “involved in support” of a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
House Bill Aims to Strengthen US-Israel Energy Cooperation. On March 19, Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), and Brad Schneider (D-IL) introduced H.R.2280, the BIRD (Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation) Energy and US-Israel Energy Center Reauthorization Act, which would extend and expand the US-Israel energy partnership.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Senate Democrats Seek Answers on Foreign Assistance. On March 14, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the status of the Trump administration’s foreign assistance review. The senators called on Secretary Rubio to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and to consult with Congress on proposed changes.
Democrats Pursue Answers into Killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi. On March 14, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) led a bicameral letter to Secretary Rubio, reiterating a call for answers into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American who was killed by Israeli military forces in the West Bank.
SFRC Ranking Member Condemns Arrest of Istanbul Mayor. On March 20, Ranking Member of the SFRC Shaheen condemned the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and other city officials and politicians.
Senate Democrats Demand Answers on Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil. On March 21, Sens. Peter Welch (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) demanded answers and written materials from Secretary Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on the arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil. The letter accuses the Trump administration of violating Khalil’s First Amendment rights and of using immigration laws to suppress free speech.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Rescinds Biden Administration Policy on Arms Transfer. On March 14, President Donald Trump rescinded National Security Memorandum 18 (NSM-18), a Biden administration memorandum on US Conventional Arms Transfer Policy that focused on responsible arms use, human rights, and global security.
DOJ Launches October 7 Task Force. On March 17, the Department of Justice announced the launch of Joint Task Force October 7, an initiative aimed at targeting, charging, and prosecuting in the United States the perpetrators of the October 7 attack. The task force will also investigate acts of terrorism and civil rights violations by those deemed to have supported or financed Hamas, Iran proxies or their affiliates, as well as alleged acts of anti-Semitism by such groups.
Trump Says Houthis Will Be “Annihilated.” On March 19, President Trump said that the Houthis of Yemen “will be completely annihilated.” Earlier in the week, on March 17, Pentagon officials noted that the Houthis have carried out more than 170 missile/drone attacks on US warships and 145 on commercial vessels since 2023. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said that US strikes in Yemen are targeting command centers, training sites, and weapons facilities and that there has been no indication of civilian casualties so far, contrary to media reports.
Trump Meets with Emirati National Security Advisor. On March 18, President Trump met with United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss regional security issues and bilateral economic and technological cooperation. Following the meeting, the White House announced that the UAE has committed to a $1.4 trillion, 10-year investment in US artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing.
Trump Gives Iran Two Month Deadline on Nuclear Deal. In a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Trump reportedly is giving Iran two months to reach a new nuclear deal. Trump’s letter proposed new negotiations and warned of consequences if Iran rejects the offer. On March 19, Secretary Rubio said that the Trump administration is ready to “take action” to prevent a nuclear capable Iran and that the United States has the ability “to go further and perhaps even threaten the regime.”
Witkoff Says Hamas Must Demilitarize but Suggests Room for Political Involvement. In a March 21 interview with Tucker Carlson, White House Envoy Steven Witkoff said that Hamas “could stay [in Gaza] a little bit…be involved politically” if it demilitarizes. Addressing the future of Gaza, Witkoff added that “We’re going to attempt to ascertain different development plans for Gaza. They could involve the word two-state [solution]. [They] could not.” Witkoff also criticized Egypt, stating, “The stats in Egypt are huge – unemployment under 25 is like 45 percent. A country can’t exist like that. They’re largely broke. They need a lot of help.”
2) Department of State
Administration Officials Blame Hamas for Ceasefire End. On March 18, Interim US Ambassador to the United Nations Dorothy Shea blamed Hamas for the end of the ceasefire, saying that the group has “refused every proposal and deadline they’ve been presented over the past few weeks, including a bridge proposal to extend the ceasefire beyond the holidays of Ramadan and Passover to allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire.” On March 19, Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the bridging proposal could be “revisited” and that “it’s not that anything is off the table.” Addressing Israel’s resumption of strikes in Gaza, Bruce decried “the loss of life and the impact on children around the world” but stated that the United States “stand[s] with Israel in every circumstance.” On March 20, White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz added that “the ceasefire would have been extended if Hamas released all remaining hostages. Instead, they chose war.” On March 23, Envoy Witkoff said that “I thought we had an acceptable deal. I even thought we had an approval from Hamas. Maybe that’s just me getting duped.”
Rubio Says Visa Crackdown on Gaza Protesters Will Continue. On March 19, Secretary Rubio said that protest against Israel’s war on Gaza “at its, core, I believe, is anti-Semitism.” Rubio stated that the Trump administration will continue to target non-citizens who are “like” recently detained Mahmoud Khalil. Detentions and deportations continued last week with two such incidents occurring with faculty at Georgetown University and Brown University.
Department Approves Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia. On March 20, the Department of State approved a possible arms sale to Saudi Arabia of $100 million for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems II All-Up-Round and related elements of logistics and program support.
Bruce Says Trump Administration Not Considering Changes to Syria Sanctions. On March 21, Spokesperson Bruce said that US sanctions policy with respect to Syria has not changed, “and there’s no plans to change it at this point.” Bruce reiterated the administration’s call for “an inclusive, civilian-led government to ensure national institutions are effective, responsive, legitimate, and representative.”
Rubio Speaks with Netanyahu. On March 23, Secretary Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing US support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza and discussing operations against the Houthis.
3) Department of Defense
CENTCOM Kills Senior IS Leader in Iraq Airstrike. On March 13, CENTCOM and Iraqi forces killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadijah, the second-in-command and chief of global operations of the so-called Islamic State.
AFRICOM Conducts Airstrike in Somalia. On March 15, at the request of the Somali government, AFRICOM conducted airstrikes against al-Shabaab. On March 17, Department of Defense Spokesman Parnell said that US forces will continue to partner with the Somali government to strike al-Shabaab.
Secretary Hegseth Speaks with Iraqi and Qatari Officials. On March 16, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia` al-Sudani and Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Saoud Al Thani to discuss defense collaboration on regional security challenges, including Houthi threats in the Red Sea.
4) Department of the Treasury
Secretary Bessent Speaks with Emirati and Turkish Officials. On March 18, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent met with UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun to discuss economic and security relations and other regional concerns. On March 19, Secretary Bessent spoke with Turkish Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek about trends in Turkey’s economy, sanctions, and Iran.
Treasury Targets Iran’s Oil Exports. On March 20, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on a Chinese-based “teapot” oil refinery and its chief executive officer for purchasing and refining Iranian crude oil, including from vessels linked to the Houthis and the Iranian Ministry of Defense of Armed Forces Logistics. OFAC announced additional sanctions on 19 entities and vessels involved in shipping Iranian oil. The Department of State announced concurrent sanctions.
