I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Senate Bill Would Limit Funding to ICC and PA. On February 10, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced S.493, which would prohibit US cooperation with and funding for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the use of Economic Support Funds (a type of US foreign assistance) for the Palestinian Authority.
Democrats Push Back Against Trump’s Gaza Comments. On February 7, Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced S.Res.68, which affirms the Palestinian right to self-determination and expresses the sense that the United States shall not deploy US military assets or personnel to Gaza. On February 13, Reps. Sean Casten (D-IL) and Brad Sherman (D-CA) led 144 House Democrats in urging President Donald Trump to retract his statements that Palestinians in Gaza should be permanently relocated and the United States should take control of Gaza.
Senate Resolution Demands End to Hamas Presence in Gaza. On February 11, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-C), Richard Blumenthal, Tom Cotton (R-AR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced S.Res.72, which expresses the opinion that Hamas cannot be allowed to retain control in Gaza, calls on President Trump to target Hamas funding, and reiterates support for Israel.
House Bill Seeks to Deter Immigration from “Uncooperative” Countries. On February 11, Reps. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Brandon Gill (R-TX) introduced H.R.1220, which would increase fees for foreigners of “uncooperative countries,” including Djibouti, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria, who are applying for nonimmigrant visas
Bipartisan Anti-Semitism Awareness Act Introduced in Senate. On February 12, Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Rosen introduced S.558, which would direct the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws. A House version (H.R.1007) of the bill was introduced on February 5 by Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY).
House Bill Would Prohibit Aid to Nations Who Counter US Positions at the UN. On February 12, Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) introduced H.R.1243, which would prohibit US assistance to foreign countries that oppose US positions at the United Nations.
House Bill Pushes for Sanctions on Houthis. On February 12, Rep. Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ) introduced H.R.1250, which would impose sanctions on Houthi officials, agents, and affiliates.
House Bill Would Codify Trump UNRWA Funding Ban. On February 12, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) introduced H.R.1252, which would codify President Trump’s executive order ending federal funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and provides for a report on US contributions to UNRWA during the Biden administration.
Bicameral Bills Seek to Enhance US-Israel Defense Cooperation. On February 12, Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced S.554 and H.R.1229 respectively, which would establish new US-Israel programs in unmanned systems, anti-tunneling programs, and other emerging technologies, among other provisions to support Israel’s military.
Senate Legislation Targets Iran. On February 12, Senator Sullivan introduced S.556, which seeks to expand sanctions enforcement on Iran. On February 13, Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) introduced legislation to encourage the United Kingdom, France, and Germany to initiate the snapback of sanctions on Iran under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.
House Bill Focuses on Threats from Syria. On February 13, Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) introduce H.R.1327, which would require the Department of Homeland Security to evaluate threats posed by individuals in Syria with ties to designated foreign terrorist organizations.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
House Republicans Push for Change to US-Iraq Policy. On February 7, Reps. Wilson and Greg Steube (R-FL) urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz to designate additional Iranian-supported groups in Iraq as foreign terrorist organizations, to impose new sanctions, and to suspend security assistance to Iraq pending the removal of Iranian-backed groups from Iraq’s national security forces.
Lawmakers Re-Establish Egypt Human Rights Caucus. On February 8, Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) announced the re-establishment of the Egypt Human Rights Caucus for the 119th Congress.
Congressional Democrats Oppose Foreign Aid Freeze. On February 10, Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Robin Kelly (D-IL) led 109 lawmakers in a letter to Secretary Rubio on the impact of the foreign aid funding pause on global health programs. On February 11, Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) introduced legislation (H.R.1196) to prohibit the use of funds to eliminate USAID as an independent agency and require certification of this prohibition by Rubio. Also on February 11, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) and House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), along with lawmakers in their respective committees, urged Rubio to end the stop work order on US foreign assistance amid the current 90-day funding pause. On February 12, Rep. Meeks again called on Rubio to not dismantle USAID and to consult with Congress prior to making any changes. On February 13, HFAC held a full committee hearing on USAID titled “The USAID Betrayal.” Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL) opened the hearing with comments deriding USAID and said that he would lead efforts to write non-lifesaving programs out of law. Also during the week, Republicans in the House and Senate introduced legislation to transfer the Food for Peace Program from USAID to the Department of Agriculture.
Senate Confirms Tulsi Gabbard as DNI. On February 12, the Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence in a 52-48 vote mostly along party lines.
3) Hearings and Briefings
SFRC Holds Hearing on Syria. On February 13, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on US policy toward Syria, covering sanctions, security issues, chemical weapons, foreign influence, drug trafficking, missing American Austin Tice, and Syria’s post-Assad governance.
Pro-Palestine Protests a Focus of Hearing for Secretary of Education. On February 13, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing for the nomination of Linda McMahon for Secretary of Education. McMahon defended the Trump administration’s policies on campus anti-Semitism.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Sets Ultimatum on Gaza. On February 10, President Trump told reporters that Palestinians would not have a right to return to Gaza after its reconstruction. Trump indicated that he would consider cutting aid to Egypt and Jordan if the countries refused to permanently take in Palestinian refugees. He also laid out an ultimatum with respect to hostage release negotiations, saying that “if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday [February 15] at 12 o’clock…I would say cancel it [the cease-fire deal], and all bets are off and let hell break out.” On February 16, Trump added that he had communicated to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he should “do whatever [he] want[s]” with respect to hostage negotiations and that it “will be up to Israel what the next step is, in consultation with me.”
Trump Meets with King Abdullah at White House. On February 11, Trump met with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House to discuss the US-Jordan relationship and Gaza. During their meeting, King Abdullah committed to taking in 2,000 sick Palestinian children from Gaza, but refrained from committing to accepting Palestinians in greater numbers. On his US visit, King Abdullah also met with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and members of Congress.
Trump Issues Executive Order on US Foreign Policy. On February 12, President Trump signed an executive order to establish “one clear, unified voice for America’s foreign relations.” The order reaffirms that all individuals involved in foreign policy do so under Trump’s direction and directs the Secretary of State to reform the Foreign Service.
Trump Releases Video Praising King Abdullah, Jordanian People. On February 13, President Trump praised King Abdullah in an unusual Oval Office video message to the people of Jordan, calling the King “one of the true great leaders of the world” whom the Jordanian people are “very, very lucky to have” and describing Jordanians as “very, very fantastic people.”
Witkoff Comments on Gaza Ceasefire, Trump’s Gaza Plan. On February 16, in an interview with Fox News, Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Witkoff said that the second stage of the hostage deal is “absolutely going to begin” and that the president “wants to see” it happen. Witkoff also claimed that talks with Qatari and Egyptian officials had been “very productive and constructive.” When commenting on Trump’s plan to take over Gaza and forcibly displace Gaza’s population to Jordan and Egypt, Witkoff said that the plan “encouraged a lot of conversation. Now you have the Egyptians saying we have a plan, the Jordanians are saying we have a plan, and people are actually engaging in really important cogent discussions.”
2) Department of State
Secretary Rubio Meets with Egyptian Foreign Minister. On February 10, Secretary Rubio met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the US-Egypt strategic partnership and Gaza as well as developments in Syria, Sudan, and Egypt’s water security.
Secretary Rubio Claims Commitment to US Foreign Aid. On February 10, Secretary Rubio said that the Trump administration is “not walking away from foreign aid” despite the administration’s shrinking of USAID and pausing of foreign aid spending for 90 days. Rubio noted that the Department of State is conducting a review of all foreign aid spending to ensure that it “makes sense.”
Secretary Rubio Eager for Israeli Normalization, Security. On February 10, Secretary Rubio expressed hope that the Trump administration will broker a “Sunni-Israel peace deal akin to the Camp David Accords with Egypt and the peace with Jordan.” Rubio also addressed Lebanon and Syria, saying that he is hopeful that the emergence of new governments will help to deter security threats to Israel.
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Bahraini Crown Prince. On February 11, Secretary Rubio spoke with Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa about the US-Bahrain strategic partnership and regional security.
Secretary Rubio Speaks with UAE President. On February 11, Secretary Rubio spoke with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the US-UAE strategic partnership, the Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian situation, and the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
Secretary Rubio Reiterates Trump Plan on Gaza. On February 12, Secretary Rubio reiterated President Trump’s ultimatum regarding the release of hostages in Gaza, saying that if they are not released by Saturday, February 15, then “all bets are off.” Rubio said that he hopes the issue “resolves itself” and that the Trump administration does not want a “resumption of hostilities,” noting that “Hamas will be to blame” if the ceasefire breaks. Rubio also maintained that Hamas should not have any role in Gaza’s governance. Addressing Gaza’s reconstruction, Rubio commented that the Trump plan to clear debris, rebuild Gaza, and relocate Palestinians is currently “the only plan.”
Secretary Rubio Meets with Turkish Foreign Minister. On February 14, Secretary Rubio met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss Syria and European regional issues.
Department Condemns Attack on UNIFIL Convoy in Lebanon. On February 14, Spokesperson Tammy Bruce condemned an attack on a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon convoy in Beirut, which she alleged was perpetrated by supporters of Hezbollah. Bruce commended the Lebanese government’s response to the attack.
Secretary Rubio Travels to Region. On February 15, Secretary Rubio departed for a trip to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to discuss ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza and countering threats from Iran.
G7 Foreign Ministers Discuss Regional Issues. On February 15, G7 foreign ministers released a statement after meeting at the Munich Security Conference. The G7 members discussed the importance of implementing the Gaza ceasefire and expanding humanitarian aid, condemned Hamas, reaffirmed Israel’s “inherent right to self-defense” in accordance with international law, and discussed Syria’s and Lebanon’s political transitions and threats posed by Iran.
Secretary Rubio Meets with Israeli Officials. On February 16, Secretary Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and President Isaac Herzog. During his visit, Rubio emphasized US support for Israel, commitment to securing the release of hostages, the future of Gaza, the security situations in Lebanon and Syria, threats from Iran, and countering international criticism of Israel.
Secretary Rubio Meets with Saudi Crown Prince. On February 17, Secretary Rubio met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Their meeting focused on increasing US-Saudi economic and defense cooperation, ceasefire and “an arrangement for Gaza that contributes to regional security,” Syria, Lebanon, and the Red Sea.
3) Department of Defense
AFRICOM Conducts Strikes in Somalia. On February 1, AFRICOM, in coordination with the Somali government, conducted strikes against the so-called Islamic State in Somalia. On February 12, Secretary Hegseth said that the Trump administration remains ready to strike additional targets, namely Islamist organizations, commenting that “Africa is very much the front lines of a fight from Islamists. You’ve got Christian populations that are under siege in Africa and have been ignored for far too long and American interests there.” AFRICOM conducted additional strikes in Somalia on February 16, killing two operatives of the so-called Islamic State.
AFRICOM and Libyan Officials Discuss Security Cooperation. On February 4-6, AFRICOM Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John Brennan and Director of Intelligence Brigadier General Rose Keravuori met with Libyan officials to discuss US-Libya security cooperation, military unification, and regional stability.
CENTCOM Forces Participate in Operations in Iraq. On February 10, Iraqi Security Forces, enabled by CENTCOM, conducted airstrikes in Kirkuk, Iraq, killing two so-called Islamic State operatives. CENTCOM announced additional strikes taking place on February 12 near Rawa, Iraq that killed five operatives of the so-called Islamic State.
US and Bahraini Defense Officials Meet. On February 13, Alex Velez-Green, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, met with Bahrain’s National Security Advisor Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa to discuss US-Bahrain defense cooperation and regional security issues.
CENTCOM Updates on Lebanon Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism. On February 14, the Cessation of Hostilities Implementation Mechanism in Lebanon met. The meeting included representatives from the United States, United Nations, France, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and the Israeli Defense Forces and focused on military technical planning for the transfer of all remaining villages in Lebanon’s Southern Litani Area to full LAF control before February 18.
CENTCOM Forces Conduct Strike in Syria. On February 15, CENTCOM conducted an airstrike in northwest Syria against Hurras al-Din, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, killing a senior finance and logistics official of the group.
Secretary Hegseth Speaks with Regional Leaders. On February 15, Secretary Hegseth held introductory calls with Qatari, Saudi, and UAE defense ministers, addressing bilateral defense partnership, industry cooperation, and regional security.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Sanctions ICC Chief Prosecutor. On February 13, the Department of the Treasury added Karim Khan, chief prosecutor at the ICC, to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.
