I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill Targets Government Funding Going to Iran. On April 14, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced H.R.2917, which would require the reporting and public disclosure of any funding from a government grant or contract that goes to an entity located in a “foreign country of concern,” including Iran.
Bipartisan Anti-BDS Legislation Introduced. On April 16, Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY) introduced legislation that would ban the federal government from entering into contracts with entities that engage in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel.
Bipartisan Bill Seeks Increased Penalties for Crimes Directed by Foreign Adversaries. On April 16, Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced legislation to increase criminal penalties for individuals who commit, or attempt to commit, violent crimes in the United States on behalf of foreign adversaries, including Iran.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Democrats Push Trump on USAID. On April 11, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Lois Frankel (D-FL) reiterated concerns to Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the reorganization of USAID. Their letter expressed willingness to work with the Trump administration on aid reform but expressed concern that the “current plan violates federal law, further endangers lifesaving global health and humanitarian programs, overburdens the State Department and damages US credibility.”
Democrats Recognize Second Anniversary of Sudan Civil War. On April 15, Representative Meeks and Reps. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Johnny Olszewski (D-MD) issued a statement marking the two-year anniversary of the civil war in Sudan and calling on the Trump administration to restore US foreign assistance to address the humanitarian crisis and redouble efforts to resolve the conflict.
Bipartisan Letter Seeks Clarity on Syria Sanctions. On April 15, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) requested information from Secretary Rubio on the Department of State’s position on sanctions on Syria. On April 17, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration had issued demands to the Syrian government that include cracking down on extremism and expelling Palestinian militants in return for a limited easing of sanctions.
Lawmakers Meet with Iraqi PM. On April 13, lawmakers met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Washington, discussing bilateral cooperation, regional security, and political reforms in Iraq.
House Republicans Announce Investigation into Harvard. On April 17, House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Representative Stefanik and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) announced that they were launching a civil rights investigation into Harvard University, following its rejection of a settlement proposed by the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. On April 18, the Department of Education announced that it was investigating Harvard’s foreign gift sources and contracts.
Lawmakers Make Unofficial Visit to Syria. On April 18-19, Reps. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) and Cory Mills (R-FL) visited Damascus for meetings with Syrian religious leaders and government officials. The unofficial visit was reportedly the first by US lawmakers since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. On April 19, Representative Mills reportedly met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Energy Secretary Says United States and Saudi Arabia on Path to Civil Nuclear Agreement. On April 13, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said that the Trump administration has renewed talks with Saudi Arabia about allowing access to US nuclear technology and enriching uranium for commercial nuclear power.
Trump Reportedly Nixed Israeli Strike on Iran. On April 16, the New York Times reported that President Donald Trump advised Israel against launching a strike on Iranian nuclear sites as soon as May. Responding to the report on April 17, Trump denied the language that he “waved off” a potential strike and stated, “I’m not in a rush to do it…but Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
2) Department of State
Secretary Rubio Speaks with KRG Prime Minister. On April 11, Secretary Rubio spoke with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani about US-Kurdish ties and immediately reopening the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline.
Department Approves Possible Military Sale to Israel. On April 14, the Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel of Eitan Powerpack Engines and related equipment for an estimated cost of $180 million.
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Turkish Foreign Minister. On April 14, Secretary Rubio spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about threats posed by Iran and its proxies, counterterrorism cooperation, and strengthening NATO.
Department Approves Possible Military Sale to Morocco. On April 15, the Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $825 million.
Secretary Rubio Meets with Jordanian Prime Minister. On April 15, Secretary Rubio met with Jordanian Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Jafar Hassan to discuss economic cooperation and the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. During his visit, Hassan also met with Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to discuss US-Jordan economic and security ties.
Rubio Joins G7 Statement Marking Two Years of War in Sudan. On April 15, Secretary Rubio joined a G7 statement denouncing the ongoing conflict and human rights violations in Sudan, calling for a ceasefire between the warring Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, and reiterating support for democratic transition.
Department to Review Social Media of Visa Applicants Who Have Visited Gaza. On April 17, Reuters reported that the Trump administration has directed the Department of State to review the social media of all visa applicants, including non-Palestinians, who have visited the Gaza Strip on or after January 1, 2007.
3) Department of Defense
AFRICOM Conducts Strike in Somalia. On April 11 and 18, AFRICOM conducted airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State in northeastern Somalia.
United States to Reduce Troop Presence in Syria. On April 18, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell announced that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has directed the consolidation of US forces in Syria under Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, reducing US troop presence from 2,000 to about 1,400, according to the New York Times.
CENTCOM Announces Strikes in Yemen. On April 17, CENTCOM conducted strikes on Ras Isa fuel port in Yemen, a source of fuel for the Houthis. According to the Houthi-run Health Ministry, the strikes killed 74 persons.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Targets al-Shabaab Network in Somalia. On April 14, Treasury’s Terrorist Financing Targeting Center designated 15 al-Shabaab leaders, operatives, and financial facilitators in Somalia for their roles in funding the group and in proliferating improvised explosive devices.
Treasury Sanctions Refinery of Iranian Oil. On April 16, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on a China-based network involved in refining and facilitating shipments of Iranian oil.
Treasury Sanctions International Bank of Yemen. On April 17, OFAC announced sanctions on the International Bank of Yemen Y.S.C. and senior officials for their financial support to the Houthis.
