I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Republicans Look to Cut Funding for UN Agencies. On March 3, Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) introduced H.R.1792, which would prohibit US funding to the UN International Organization for Migration, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). On March 4, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced legislation (H.R.1839 and S.833) to prevent the International Criminal Court’s use of UN facilities located in the United States.
House Bill Seeks Strengthened Ties Among Abraham Accords Nations. On March 3, Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) introduced H.R.1794, which would establish an Abraham Accords Office within the Food and Drug Administration.
House Bill Would Repeal Sunset Provision in Iran Sanctions. On March 3, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) introduced H.R.1800, to repeal the sunset provision in the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act that sets a termination date for certain sanctions.
Tlaib and Jayapal Lead Resolutions of Disapproval Against Arms Sales to Israel. On March 3, Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced joint resolutions of disapproval (H.J.Res.68, H.J.R es.69, H.J.Res.70 H.J.Res.71) of proposed foreign military sales to Israel, companion legislation to those drafted by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Senate Bill Targets Hezbollah in Latin America. On March 4, Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) introduced S.842, which seeks to counter Hezbollah’s presence in Latin America.
House Proposed Resolution Recognizes Start of Ramadan. On March 5, Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) introduced H.Res.192, a resolution to recognize the beginning of Ramadan.
Senate Bill Would Restore UNRWA Funding. On March 6, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced S.898, which would restore funding to UNRWA.
House Bill Would Require New Sanctions Regarding Sudan. On March 6, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) introduced H.R.1939, , comprehensive legislation to address the situation in Sudan. The legislation would place a hold on weapons sales to the United Arab Emirates due to its support for the Rapid Support Forces, require sanctions against perpetrators of war crimes and human rights violations, and bolster protection for civilians.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Lawmakers Say Israel Likely to Resume Operations in Gaza. On March 3, Jewish Insider reported that several House Republicans who recently returned from a trip to Israel expressed confidence that Israel will resume its military campaign in Gaza, citing their conversations with Israeli military officials.
3) Hearings and Briefings
Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on Anti-Semitism, Pro-Palestine Protests. On March 5, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on anti-Semitism, broadly focused on countering pro-Palestine protests on US campuses.
HFAC Holds Hearing on Turkey. On March 5, the HFAC Europe Subcommittee held a hearing on Turkey and its role in Europe and the Middle East.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Threatens Campuses on Pro-Palestine Protests. On March 4, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that “all Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested.” On the same day, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and General Services Administration announced a review of Columbia University’s federal contracts and grants. On March 7, the administration cancelled $400 million in grants and contracts with the university over its alleged failure to combat anti-Semitism.
White House Rejects Cairo Summit Plan for Gaza. On March 4, National Security Council Spokesman Brian Hughes rejected a plan for Gaza offered by Arab leaders. Hughes said that the plan, which estimates $53 billion in reconstruction efforts and avoids displacing Palestinians, “does not address the reality that Gaza is currently uninhabitable and residents cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance[s].” Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce noted on March 6 that the proposed plan did not fulfill Trump’s requirements but that the administration “welcomes” the effort. Sending more mixed signals, Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff said that the plan has “a lot of compelling features.”
Trump Meets with Freed Hostages, Issues Ultimatum for More Releases. On March 5, President Trump met with released hostages from Gaza at the White House. After the meeting, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Hamas must “release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you.” In his post, Trump also threatened Palestinian civilians: “To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!” The post comes amid reports that the United States and Hamas are now holding direct talks on hostage release. On March 6, Envoy Steven Witkoff told reporters that the United States could join Israel in taking action against Hamas if the group does not release the remaining hostages.
Trump Says He Wants Nuclear Deal with Iran. On March 7, President Trump said that he would like to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran and that he sent a letter to Iran’s leadership suggesting talks.
2) Department of State
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Omani Foreign Minister. On March 3, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi about the situation in Gaza, Syria’s political future, the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, and Red Sea security.
Rubio Speaks with Netanyahu. On March 4, Secretary Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm US support for Israel and discuss hostage negotiations and Iran.
Spokesperson Bruce Says Department Will Fund Lifesaving Projects. On March 6, addressing President Trump’s foreign aid pause, Spokesperson Bruce told reporters that the Department of State “will continue to fund and continue to act on the importance of money that goes to lifesaving work.” However, Democratic lawmakers maintain that USAID continues to refuse to implement waivers for lifesaving assistance.
Trump Redesignates Houthis as an FTO. On March 4, the Department of State redesignated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in accordance with President Trump’s January 22 Executive Order. On March 5, the Department of State and Department of Treasury announced new sanctions on Houthi officials who are allegedly involved in the smuggling and procurement of weapons, recruitment, and fundraising. On the same day, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) introduced legislation (H.R.1848) to impose additional sanctions on the Houthis.
Envoy Asserts that United States “Not an Agent of Israel.” On March 9, regarding the revelation that the Trump administration is negotiating directly with Hamas, United States Envoy for Hostages Adam Boehler said that the United States “is not an agent of Israel. We have specific interests at play.” Boehler called the talks with Hamas “very helpful” and said that “something could come together within weeks.”
Rubio Condemns Killings in Syria. On March 9, Secretary Rubio condemned “the radical Islamist terrorists, including foreign jihadis, that murdered people in western Syria in recent days.” Rubio affirmed that the United States “stands with Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities, including its Christian, Druze, Alawite, and Kurdish communities.”
3) Department of Defense
AFRICOM Conducts Training with Libyan Forces. On February 26, AFRICOM, supported by US Strategic Command, conducted a training exercise with Libyan military tactical air controllers in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya to support the reunification of Libya’s military and security institutions.
Secretary Hegseth Speaks with Israeli Defense Minister. On March 3, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz to discuss security cooperation and regional threats. Hegseth reaffirmed the US commitment to Israel’s security and the need to counter Iran.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Secretary Speaks with Qatari Finance Minister. On February 28, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent spoke with Qatari Finance Minister Ahmed al-Kuwari to discuss US-Qatar economic and security ties. Bessent emphasized the importance of cooperation to curb Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and counter Iran’s support for terrorists in the region.
Treasury Secretary Meets with Israeli Finance Minister. On March 5, Secretary Bessent met with Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to discuss the US-Israel economic partnership.
III. Judicial Branch
Supreme Court Upholds Lower Court Order for US to Pay Aid Contractors. On March 5, in a 5-to-4 vote, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision requiring the Trump administration to pay USAID contractors about $2 billion for foreign aid work that they had already completed before Trump’s January 20 executive order freezing most foreign aid spending.
