I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
GOP Bill Threatens Non-Profits’ Exempt Status. On May 12, congressional Republicans released their budget reconciliation plan, which includes a proposal to expand the president’s ability to revoke tax exempt status from nonprofits accused of “supporting terrorism.”
House Resolution Aims to Prohibit Persian Gulf Renaming. On May 13, Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) introduced H.R.3326, which prohibits the use of federal funds to rename the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Gulf, as President Donald Trump has proposed, and to bar government documents from referring to the Persian Gulf by anything except that name.
Senate Resolution Calls for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza. On May 13, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced S.Res.224, which calls on the Trump administration to bring an end to Israel’s blockade of food and aid for Gaza. Twenty-eight Democratic senators joined the resolution.
Senate Bill Would Prohibit Gifts from Countries of Concern. On May 13, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced S.1738, which would prohibit universities from receiving gifts from or entering contracts with “foreign countries of concern.”
Democrats Introduce Legislation Targeting Gift of Qatari Jet. On May 13, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced S.Res.218, which condemns as a national security threat the acceptance of a presidential aircraft from a foreign government—a response to the Trump administration’s proposed acceptance of a luxury jet from Qatar to serve as Air Force 1. Additionally, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced S.Res.219, which directs the Senate Legal Counsel to launch a civil action against President Trump to enforce the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution. On May 14, House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) introduced H.R.3405, which requires Secretary of State Marco Rubio to submit a report to Congress regarding the gifting of the plane, and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) introduced H.Res.410, which expresses the sense of the House that Trump must comply with the Emoluments Clause. On May 15, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced S.J.Res.53, a joint resolution of disapproval to block a proposed $1.9 billion foreign military sale to Qatar.
Rep. Tlaib Introduces Resolution Recognizing Nakba. On May 14, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced H.Res.409, which recognizes the Nakba through official remembrance and supports the rights of Palestinians, including the rights of Palestinian refugees.
House Resolution Supports Deeper US-Israel Defense Ties. On May 14, Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) introduced H.Res.411, which calls for expanding US-Israel defense cooperation.
Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation Seeks Release of Remaining Hostages. On May 15, Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Todd Young (R-IN) and Reps. Haley Stevens (D-MI) and French Hill (R-AR) introduced resolutions (S.Res.227 and H.Res.413, respectively) to condemn Hamas and the October 7 attack, to celebrate the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, to demand that Hamas release remaining hostages, and to call on the White House to take steps toward achieving that goal.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
House Democrats Push for Saudi-Israel Normalization. On May 13, a group of eight House Democrats, led by Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), raised concerns to President Trump about reports that a US nuclear energy deal with Saudi Arabia may be delinked from a Saudi-Israel normalization deal. On the same day, President Trump expressed support for normalization but stated that Saudi Arabia “will do it on [their] own time.”
Lawmakers Criticize Trump for Qatari Jet Transfer. On May 12, Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) wrote to White House Counsel David Warrington raising concerns about President Trump’s desire to accept of a super luxury jet from the Qatari royal family. On May 13, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced that he is putting a hold on Department of Justice nominations to protest Trump’s plans to accept the jet. On the same day, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) led a group of nine lawmakers in requesting that the inspector general of the Department of Defense, Steven Stebbins, launch an inquiry into the department’s role in the affair. On May 14, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-HI) led a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Airforce Troy Meink outlining security concerns relating to the jet. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested legal justification from Attorney General Pam Bondi for the jet’s acquisition. Over the course of the week, a small number of Republican lawmakers also expressed concerns about the gift.
Republicans Push for Dismantlement of Iran’s Nuclear Program. On May 14, SFRC Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID) led 52 Senate Republicans in calling on President Trump to secure a deal that results in the full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program. Rep. Austin Pfluger (R-TX) led 177 House Republicans in a similar letter to the president.
3) Hearings and Briefings
SFRC Holds Hearing on Horn of Africa. On May 13, SFRC held a hearing on US policy toward East Africa and the Horn of Africa. The hearing addressed Red Sea security, counterterrorism operations in Somalia, the situation in Sudan, foreign assistance to the Horn, and other regional matters.
SFRC Holds Hearing for Senior MENA Diplomat. On May 15, SFRC held a hearing for the nomination of Joel Rayburn as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
US-Saudi Deals Announced During Trump Visit to Kingdom. On May 13 in Riyadh, President Trump laid out an agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia that includes a $600-billion Saudi commitment to invest in the United States and a $142 billion defense sales agreement.
Trump Outlines Vision for Middle East in Saudi Arabia Speech. On May 13, President Trump delivered remarks on his vision for a “prosperous future in the Middle East.” During the speech, Trump decried past US intervention in the region, arguing that “so-called ‘nation-builders,’ ‘neo-cons,’ and ‘liberal non-profits’ like those who spent trillions failing to develop Kabul and Baghdad” had failed; expressed hope for negotiations with Iran and for a future normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia; and backed Lebanon and Syria’s stabilization and development.
Trump Administration Cuts More Funding for Harvard. On May 13, the Trump administration’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced that that the US government would terminate $450 million in grants to Harvard University, citing the university’s “failure” to adequately address pro-Palestine protests.
United States to Lift Sanctions on Syria. On May 13, President Trump announced that the United States will lift sanctions on Syria. On May 14 in Riyadh, Trump met with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and discussed normalization with Israel, foreign investment in Syria, and security issues. On May 15, Secretary Rubio met in Turkey with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and discussed sanctions relief, Israel, Iran, ascertaining the fate of missing or killed US citizens, the elimination of chemical weapons, and protection of human rights. Speaking with reporters, Rubio said that the Syrian leadership “expressed an interest in being at peace with all of their neighbors, including Israel.” He also stated that the Trump administration intends to begin sanctions relief with an initial waiver and will not yet ask Congress to permanently remove sanctions on Syria.
Trump Announces Economic Deal with Qatar. On May 14, President Trump announced a $1.2 trillion economic agreement with Qatar.
Trump Announces Deal with United Arab Emirates. On May 15, President Trump announced more than $200 billion in deals with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and an agreement to expand cooperation on AI.
Trump, Administration Officials Address Gaza Situation. On May 15, President Trump said that he wants to make Gaza a “freedom zone,” commenting that “there’s practically no building standing. It’s not like you’re trying to save something. There’s no buildings. People are living under the rubble of buildings that collapsed, which is not acceptable.” On May 18, Secretary Rubio stated that the Trump administration is “actively engaged in trying to figure out if there is a way to get more hostages out through some ceasefire-type mechanism.”
Trump Shares Optimism on US-Iran Deal. On May 15, President Trump said that the United States is “in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace,” adding that “Iran has sort of agreed to the terms” and that “we’re getting close to maybe doing a deal.” On May 16, Trump told reporters that the United States has presented Iran with a proposed deal, encouraging the Iranian government to “move quickly” on it. He also stated that he wants the United States to trade with Iran. On May 18, Special Envoy Steven Witkoff said that no deal with Iran would be possible without a total ban on uranium enrichment.
Vance Speaks with King Abdullah. On May 15, Vice President JD Vance spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan about Gaza and regional security.
2) Department of State
Department Bypasses Congress for $1.45 Billion Aircraft Sale to UAE. On May 12, the Department of State approved two possible Foreign Military Sales to the UAE for F-16 Sustainment, CH-47F Chinook Helicopters, and related equipment. The F-16 Sale and Chinook Helicopter sales totaled $130 million and $1.32 billion, respectively. On May 13, Rep. Meeks (D-NY) condemned the proposed sales, which he said bypassed the congressional review process, and introduced joint resolutions of disapproval (H.J.Res.96 and H.J.Res.97) in objection. Meeks also cited the UAE’s continued support for the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. On May 15, Senator Murphy (D-CT) also introduced joint resolutions of disapproval (S.J.Res.51, S.J.Res.52, and S.J.Res.54) against the proposed arms sales.
Department Imposes More Iran Sanctions. On May 12, the Department of State sanctioned three individuals and one entity involved in Iran’s nuclear program.
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Turkish Foreign Minister. On May 12 and 15, Secretary Rubio spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about Russian-Ukraine negotiations, NATO, commercial and defense cooperation, Syria, and Iran.
Department Approves $300 Million Missile Sale to Turkey. On May 14, the Department of State approved two possible Foreign Military Sales to Turkey of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Missiles, and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $225 million and $79.1 million, respectively.
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. On May 15 and 17, Secretary Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Syria, Iran, and Gaza.
Department Reiterates Call for Cessation of Hostilities in Sudan. On May 15, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott called for an end to external support to the warring parties in Sudan, for a cessation of hostilities, and for increased humanitarian access into the country.
3) Department of Defense
AFRICOM Conducts Strikes in Somalia. On May 11, US forces conducted airstrikes against the so called-Islamic State in Somalia. On May 13, US forces conducted airstrikes against al-Shabab.
United States and Morocco Hold Massive Military Exercise. On May 12, US and Moroccan militaries began the Morocco portion of African Lion 25, the largest annual joint military exercise on the African continent.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Announces New Sanctions Targeting Iran. On May 13, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on an international network involved in the shipment of Iranian oil. On May 14, OFAC announced sanctions on individuals and entities for their involvement in procuring ballistic missile components.
Treasury Announces New Sanctions on Hezbollah Officials. On May 15, OFAC introduced sanctions on two senior Hezbollah officials and two financial facilitators.
