1. Bills, Resolutions, & Letters
2. Middle East Elements in the Omnibus?
3. Hearings
4. On the Record

*Brought to you in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Round-Up was born!

1. Bills, Resolutions, & Letters

(TARGETING HAMAS & HIZBALLAH) HR 3342: Introduced 7/20/17 by Gallagher (R-WI) and having 26 cosponsors, the “Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act.” This bill, which began life focused solely on Hizballah (and was passed by the House in that form back on 10/24/17), was amended by the Senate on 10/11/18 to also apply to Hamas. On 12/11/18, the House voted to adopt the Senate version (with no recorded vote), sending the bill to the President for signing. Gallagher press release touting passage is here. Also see: Sens. Cruz, Corker, Reps. Gallagher, Suozzi, Wilson, Moulton Applaud Passage of Bill to Sanction Hezbollah & Hamas for Use of Human Shields

(CELEBRATING MOVE OF US EMBASSY TO JERUSALEM) H. Con. Res. 144: Introduced 12/6 by Biggs (R-AZ) and 41 GOP cosponsors, “Commemorating the anniversary of United States recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs). Biggs wrote about the resolution in his 12/7 “Freedom Friday” post, entitled, “Standing With Our Strongest Ally” is here. Also see release: House Members Commemorate One-Year Anniversary of President Donald Trump’s Official Recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel

(NO MORE UNAUTHORIZED US WAR ON YEMEN) S. J. Res.54: Introduced 2/28 by Sanders (I-VT), “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.” Floor consideration of motion to discharge the resolution is here. Floor consideration of the resolution is here, here and here. Warren (D-MA) statement is here (for more statements see On the Record, below). S. J. Res. 54 was passed by the Senate on 12/13, as amended, by a vote of 56 – 41. Twenty-five amendments were offered to the bill are here (worth reading through to get a sense of what members wanted to hang on this resolution), of which the following were considered:

• An amendment offered by Young (R-IN) “To clarify that this resolution prohibits United States Armed Forces from refueling non-United States aircraft conducting missions as part of the ongoing civil war in Yemen.” Agreed to a vote of 58-41.
• An amendment offered by Cornyn (R-TX) “To provide that nothing in the joint resolution shall be construed to influence or disrupt any military operations and cooperation with Israel.” Agreed to by a vote of 99-0 [NOTE: As originally submitted, this resolution would have applied to Israel “or regional allies” – in effect gutting the purpose of the entire resolution; it was amended to apply only to Israel. Also NOTE: nobody seems to know why this amendment was necessary or what it kind of operations/cooperation with Israel it refers to – either existing or anticipated. Some suggest that it is just another instance of a symbolic vote of support for Israel but support for Israel is bipartisan and non-controversial; linking it to the very controversial war in Yemen does not appear to make much sense.]
• An amendment offered by Cornyn (R-TX) “To require a report assessing risks posed by ceasing support operations with respect to the conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis in Yemen.” Agreed to by a voice vote.
• An amendment offered by Cornyn (R-TX) “To require a report assessing the increased risk of terrorist attacks in the United States if the Government of Saudi Arabia were to cease Yemen-related intelligence sharing with the United States.” Agreed to by a voice vote.
• An amendment offered by Cornyn (R-TX) “To require a report assessing risks posed by ceasing support operations with respect to the conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis in Yemen.” Agreed to by a voice vote.
• An amendment offered by Cotton (R-AR) “To clarify that the requirement to remove United States Armed Forces does not apply to the provision of materials and advice intended to reduce civilian casualties or further enable adherence to the Law of Armed Conflict.” Failed to pass on a voice vote.
• An amendment offered by Cotton (R-AR) “To clarify that the requirement to remove United States Armed Forces does not apply to forces engaged in operations to support efforts to disrupt Houthi attacks against locations outside of Yemen, such as ballistic missile attacks, unmanned aerial vehicle attacks, maritime attacks against United States or international vessels, or terrorist attacks against civilian targets.” Defeated by a vote of 45-54.

(KSA, KHASHOGGI MURDER, & YEMEN) S. J. Res. 69: Introduced 12/13 by Corker (R-TN) and 12 bipartisan cosponsors “Supporting a Diplomatic Solution in Yemen and Condemning the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi.” Press release is here. Passed by a voice vote the same day it was introduced. Floor consideration is here.

(NO $$ FOR WAR ON IRAN) HR 7277: Introduced 12/12 by Eshoo (D-CA) and Jones (R-NC), “To limit the use of funds for kinetic military operations in or against Iran.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Armed Services.

(NEW IRAN SANCTIONS) S. 3758: Introduced 12/13 by Cruz (R-TX) and 6 GOP cosponsors, “A bill to impose sanctions with respect to Iranian financial institutions and the development and use of Iranian digital currency, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

(TARGETING IRAN IN IRAQ) HR 4591: Introduced 12/7/17 by Kinzinger (R-IL) and 17 cosponsors (14 GOP, 3D), the “Preventing Iranian Destabilization of Iraq Act of 2017.” Passed by the House 11/27 by a voice vote. Wilson (R-SC) press release is here. Kinzinger press release is here. Floor consideration is here.

(TARGETING IRANIAN OLIGARCHS & ENTITIES) HR 7182: Introduced 11/28 by Kustoff (R-TN), the “Stop Corrupt Iranian Oligarchs and Entities Act.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services.

(REPORT TO CONGRESS ON KHASHOGGI MURDER) S. 3658: Introduced 11/27 by Wyden (D-OR) and 4 Democratic cosponsors, “A bill to require the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a report on the death of Jamal Khashoggi, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence. Wyden press release is here.

(HOLDING MBS ACCOUNTABLE) S. Res. 714: Introduced 12/5 by Graham (R-SC) and having 5 cosponsors (Feinstein, D-CA; Rubio, R-FL; Markey, D-MA; Young, R-IN. and Coons, D-DE), “A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abd al Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia be held accountable for contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, preventing a resolution to the blockade of Qatar, the jailing and torture of dissidents and activists inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the use of force to intimidate rivals, and the abhorrent and unjustified murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(TERMINATE US MILITARY INTERVENTION IN YEMEN) H. J. Res. 142: Introduced 11/29 by Amash (R-MI), “Directing the President to terminate the use of the United States Armed Forces with respect to the military intervention led by Saudi Arabia in the Republic of Yemen.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(TERMINATE US MILITARY INTERVENTION IN YEMEN) H. Con. Res. 142: Introduced 11/29 by Khanna (D-CA) and 33 cosponsors, “Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(ACCCOUNTABILTY FOR IRAQ & SYRIA WAR CRIMES) HR 390: Introduced 1/10/17 by Smith (R-NJ) and having 47 cosponsors, the “Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018.” Signed by President 12/11/18. Floor consideration of the bill is here. Wilson (R-SC) press release is here. Royce (R-CA) statement for the Record is here.

(CONDEMNING ASAD & FRIENDS) H. Res. 1165: Introduced 11/30 by Mast (R-FL) and 2 cosponsors, “Condemning the Assad regime and its backers for their continued support of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria.” Passed by the House 12/11 by voice vote. Royce (R-CA) floor statement is here. Mast (R-FL) press release and floor statement are here. Floor consideration is here.

(JORDAN-US COOPERATION) HR 2646: Introduced 5/24 by Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and having 12 cosponsors, “To reauthorize the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015, and for other purposes,” aka, the “United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act.” Passed by the House by voice vote 2/5/; passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 11/29 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

(DISAPPROVING OF DEFENSE EXPORTS TO EGYPT) S. J. Res. 67: Introduced 11/29 by Paul (R-KY), “A joint resolution relating to the disapproval of the proposed export to the Government of Egypt of certain defense articles and services.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(DISAPPROVING OF DEFENSE EXPORTS TO EGYPT) S. J. Res. 68: Introduced 11/29 by Paul (R-KY), “A joint resolution relating to the disapproval of the proposed export to the Government of Egypt of certain defense articles and services.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(DISAPPROVING OF DEFENSE EXPORTS TO QATAR) S. J. Res. 66: Introduced 11/29 by Paul (R-KY), “A joint resolution relating to the disapproval of the proposed export to the Government of Qatar of certain defense articles and services.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(CONDEMNING IRAN’S TREATMENT OF BAHA’I) H. Res. 274: Introduced 4/25 by Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and having 133 cosponsors, “Condemning the Government of Iran’s state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.” Passed by the House 12/12 without objection. Ros-Lehtinen statement on passage is here. Floor consideration (including substitute text) is here.

(CELEBRATING ANWAR SADAT) HR 754: Introduced 1/31/17 by Stewart (R-UT) and having 291 cosponsors, the “Anwar Sadat Centennial Celebration Act.” Passed by the House by voice vote 9/26/18; passed by the Senate by Unanimous Consent 12/04/18 and presented to the President 12/6/18.

(CONGRESS <HEARTS> THE AJC) H. Res. 1166: Introduced 11/30 by Green (D-TX) and having 8 cosponsors (7D, 1R), “Honoring and praising the American Jewish Committee (AJC) on the occasion of its 112th anniversary.” Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Green floor statement is here.

Letters

(NUCLEAR AGREEMENT WITH KSA?) Merkley-Markey letter to Sec. Perry: On 12/11, SFRC members Markey (D-MA) and Merkley (D-OR), sent a letter to Energy Secretary Rick Perry requesting that he brief Congress on any discussions he has had with Saudi Arabia on a potential civil nuclear cooperation agreement, or 123 agreement, on his recent trip to the region. The letter notes: “Unfortunately, Mr. Khashoggi’s murder if just the latest and most blatant demonstration by Saudi Arabia that it will do as it pleases with little regard or respect for human rights for the international rule of law…It is imperative that you brief us and all other interested members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on any and all of your discussions regarding civil nuclear cooperation during your recent trip to the region, as well as the Trump administration’s rationale for continuing these sensitive discussions at all.” Press release is here.

(CHALLENGING HATCH ACT GUIDANCE) Cummings letter to Office of the Special Counsel: On 12/7, Rep. Cummings (D-MD) sent a letter to Henry Kerner, Special Counsel in the Office of the Special Counsel, urge him to “rescind the guidance the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) sent agency ethics officers last week regarding whether certain speech is prohibited under the Hatch Act.” Cummings warns that, “The new guidance is so out of step with OSC’s past interpretations of the law that it raises concerns about whether OSC itself is engaging in inappropriate political activity.” That guidance uses the Trump Admin’s Jerusalem embassy policy as an example, stating, “An employee who strongly criticizes or praises that decision during a workplace discussion with a colleague in the days immediately following the decision is less likely to be engaging in political activity than one making those same statements in the run-up to the next presidential election—when the decision will likely have been out of the news for several years—to a colleague that the employee knows has strong feelings about the subject.” This guidance, Cummings observes, is wrong: “There is no time that criticizing a policy of the sitting President or any other politician is a violation of the Hatch Act. It is only when an employee advocates for or against the success or failure of a candidate or political party that it implicates the Hatch Act.”

(SEEKING ANSWERS FROM LOBBY FIRMS RE: SERVICES FOR GOVT OF KSA) Warren letters to lobby firms: On 11/28, Senator Warren (D-MA) sent letters to 23 U.S. firms — 18 of which are currently registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act as representatives of Saudi government interests; 5 of which previously were registered as such under FARA but not longer are). The letters request information on the scope of the lobbying services for the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or any Saudi government-affiliated entity, ask about the firms’ past and present contracts for lobbying work on behalf of Saudi Arabia, and question whether the firms’ relationship with the regime that assassinated journalist Jamal Khashoggi is consistent with American values. Press release is here.

2. Middle East Elements in the Omnibus?

During this end-of-year, lame duck session, Congress is scrambling to pass an Omnibus appropriations bill (without which the government will shut down). For weeks now rumors have been flying about Middle East/Israel-Palestine measures that may be included as riders on such a bill. There is no authoritative answer (as of this writing) about what will or won’t be in the bill (it is quite possible leadership will decide to go with a “clean” text, meaning no riders of any kind would be allowed), and whatever actually happens will be covered in detail in a future edition of the Round-Up. In the meantime, key items that are rumored to be in the bill, or that are rumored to be likely to be added to the bill, are:

• IABA (S. 720/HR 1697): It appears that some version of the Israel Anti-Boycott Act is very likely to be in the Omnibus, subject to tweaks in the text intended to help backers make the case that somehow it doesn’t violate free speech. The problem, of course, is that the explicit intent of the measure – from the day it was first announced by Cardin from the stage at an AIPAC policy conference, through the present day – is to unconstitutionally quash, chill, and criminalize political free speech. Unsurprisingly, the ACLU continues to oppose the measure, and in an interesting twist, on 12/13 the Forward published an article reporting that – according to internal ADL documents dating to 2016 – ADL experts/staff recognized anti-BDS legislation to be unconstitutional, consistent with the position of the ADL under longtime leader Abe Foxman (ADL’s new leadership apparently decided to ignore them). For details, links, etc., see my thread on Twitter.
• ASAA (S. 2940/HR 5924): It is also rumored that all or part of the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act will be added to the Omnibus. Again, this bill is brazenly unconstitutional and opposed as such by the ACLU (the person who drafted the definition of anti-Semitism that is the core of the bill also opposes the legislation). For details, links, etc., see my thread on Twitter.
• ATCA Fix (S. 2946): Readers of the Round-Up may recall a story broken in the Round-Up back in October (actually first broken, by me, on Twitter) that Congress had passed a law that, deliberately or accidentally, will make it impossible for the Palestinians to accept security assistance from the U.S., and may well re-make U.S. foreign assistance globally. Belatedly, it has become more widely understood just how big a problem this new law is (some legal experts have even suggested that the law makes it impossible to provide even USAID assistance via NGOs in areas under PA control). Rumors are flying about possible “fixes” that might be included in the Omnibus – either to enable the PA to accept INCLE funding, or to make clear that NGO aid is not impacted by the law, or both. As of this writing, it is not clear what if any “fixes” will be included, and reportedly Judiciary Committee members and staff are angry/irritated that they are coming under fire over a bill that does exactly what it was intended to do.
• Palestinian Partnership Fund (HR 7060/ S. 3549): Reportedly the Palestinian Partnership Fund is included in the State & Foreign Operations chapter of the Omnibus. It remains to be seen what the final text will look like (reportedly various parties are trying to tweak it and shape it to suit their agendas).

 

3. Hearings

12/13/18: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a business meeting to consider 13 nominations, including: Christopher Henzel (a career member of the Foreign Service), to be U.S. Ambassador to Yemen (statement); and David Schenker, (lately of WINEP and former advisor to Donald Rumsfeld), to be Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (a position that has been held by career Foreign Service officers for decades). There was no video webcast of the meeting. Reportedly Kaine (D-VA) has a hold on Schenker’s nomination, over the Trump Administration’s refusal to provide Kaine with “a legal justification for its 2017 strikes against the Shayrat air base in response to the Bashar al-Assad government’s chemical weapons attacks. Trump launched a similar strike earlier this year, targeting chemical weapons facilities with Britain and France. Neither operation was approved by Congress, raising questions about their legality.”

11/29/18: The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled, “U.S. Policy Toward Syria (Part II).” Witnesses were: James Jeffrey, US Department of State Special Representative for Syria Engagement (statement); and Robert Jenkins, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (statement). Video is here. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) statement is here.

 

4. On the Record

Israel-related

Zeldin (R-NY) 12/13: Twitter (re: Rashida Tlaib’s support for BDS & planned delegation to West Bank): “The blatant anti-Jewish, anti-Israel hate is ridiculously strong w some incoming House Dems. PS The AIEF trip took me on my first trip to East Jerusalem & Ramallah to meet w/ Prime Minister Hamdallah in addition to the rest of what was an amazing itinerary”

Deutch (D-FL) 12/13: Twitter – “Multiple terror attacks in Israel over the past week. The world must condemn this terrorism and it must end.”

Cruz (R-TX) 12/13: Twitter – “Palestinian terrorists have killed or wounded over a dozen Israelis in the last week. My prayers are with the Israeli victims & their families. Congress must redouble efforts to halt the Palestinian government’s pay-to-slay programs, which incite and encourage this terrorism.”

Paul (R-KY) 12/13: Tweet: “Not one more US taxpayer penny should be going to the Palestinian Authority. I have introduced in the past, and will do so again in a new Congress, legislation to cut off all funding to the PA for supporting terrorism!”

Poe (R-TX) 12/11: Hezbollah and Iran Are Preparing for War on Israel

Gohmert (R-TX) 12/11: ZOA to ADL: Apologize/Retract ADL’s “Abhorrent” Attack Against Pro-Israel Cong. Gohmert

Hastings (D-FL) 12/11: Statement on UN Failure to Condemn Hamas

Wilson (R-SC) 12/10: Floor statement – Condemning Hezbollah’s Tunneling Attacks

Schneider (D-IL) 12/6: Schneider Statement on Hizballah Tunnels

Cruz (R-TX) 12/4: Israel Has Absolute Right to Dismantle Hezbollah Attack Tunnels

Schakowsky (D-IL) 12/4: Statement on discovery of Hezbollah tunnels along Israel’s northern border

Cruz (R-TX) 12/2: Wishing the Jewish People a Happy Hanukkah: “The Jewish people will come together this evening to light candles beginning the eight days of observance of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, and remember the great miracle that happened in Israel. This holiday celebrates the heroic revolt and triumph of the Maccabees, who liberated the historic land of Judea, rededicated the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and restored the right to worship freely. It is fitting that this year Hanukkah comes against the backdrop of the one-year anniversary of the United States acknowledging Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and it will also be the first Hanukkah since we moved our embassy to its rightful place there.”

Poe (R-TX) 11/30: Remembering The Expelled Jews Of Arab Countries And Iran

Booker (D-NJ) 11/29: Floor statement announcing co-sponsorship of Israel Anti-Boycott Act

Gaetz (R-FL) 11/27: Threatening AirBnB for suspending services in West Bank settlements (“On November 20, Airbnb made the decision to delist about 200 Jewish homes in the West Bank. This decision is a win for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, the BDS movement, which is blatantly anti-Semitic and consistently targets businesses that are operating in Israel. As a Representative from northwest Florida, I am proud to serve a State that has stringent BDS laws. I am incredibly proud of Governor-elect Ron DeSantis for sharing his concern and for stating unequivocally that if Airbnb continues to engage in BDS activities, they have a right to speak, but they will hear from all of us very soon.”)

 

KSA/Gulf/Khashoggi

Reed (D-RI) 12/13: Reed: Saudis & UAE to Repay U.S. $331M for Aerial Refueling Costs

Udall (D-MN) 12/7: Following Washington Post Report, Senators Reiterate Calls for Full Disclosure of Trump-Saudi Business Ties

Jackson Lee (D-TX) 12/7: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Denounces the Trump Organization’s Decision to Rent 500 Hotel Rooms to Saudi Arabia Following the Inauguration and Urges Oversight hearings on possible Violations of the Emoluments Clause

Feinstein (D-CA) 12/6: Feinstein to President Trump: Listen to Jamal Khashoggi Tape, Condemn Crown Prince
Durbin (D-IL) 12/6: Durbin: Expel The Saudi Ambassador To The U.S.

Menendez (D-NJ) 12/4: VIDEO: Menendez Reacts to Briefing from CIA Director on Saudi Arabia’s involvement in Khashoggi Murder

Durbin (D-IL) 12/4: Durbin Calls For Full Senate Briefing By CIA Director Haspel On Saudi Involvement In Khashoggi Murder

Leahy (D-VT) 11/30: Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Probe In Argentina Of Mohammed bin Salman

Engel (D-NY) 11/28: Engel Condemns Trump Administration’s Refusal to Brief House Members on Saudi Arabia

 

Yemen

[Note: Many, many members spoke on the House or Senate floor and/or issued statements regarding Yemen legislation. Some of these are included below, but this compilation is NOT comprehensive; check members’ websites to what (if anything) specific members said.]

Rubio (R-FL) 12/13: Rubio: War Powers Resolution is the Wrong Way to Deal with Yemen Conflict
Lankford (R-OK) 12/13: Senator Lankford Supports Peace in Yemen; Opposes Resolution

Warner (D-VA) 12/13: Statement on passage of S. J. Res. 54

Rubio (R-FL) 12/12: Rubio: Hold Saudis Accountable, but Don’t Ignore Iran in Yemen

Engel (D-NY) 12/12: Engel Slams Republicans Rule Blocking Debate on Yemen

Curtis (R-UT) 11/29: We must reject war in Yemen and pursue peace

Rubio (R-FL) 11/29: Rubio Outlines Path Forward on US-Saudi Relationship Following The Murder Of Jamal Khashoggi

Leahy (D-VT) 11/29: Full Congressional Record Statement Thursday Of Sen. Patrick Leahy, On The Senate Resolution On Yemen And Saudi Arabia

Lieu (D-CA) 11/28: Statement on Senate Resolution to End U.S. Support of Saudi-Led Coalition in Yemen

Reed (D-RI) 11/28: Senator Reed Floor Speech on Yemen Resolution

Merkley (D-OR) 11/28: Merkley Applauds Major Senate Action to End America’s Support for Saudi Strikes on Yemen

Kaine (D-VA) 11/28: Kaine Statement On Vote To Move Yemen War Powers Resolution To Senate Floor

Durbin (D-IL) 11/28: Durbin Calls On Congress To Halt Unauthorized U.S. Military Involvement In Yemen Ahead Of Senate Vote On War Powers

Sanders (I-VT) 11/28:  Sanders Statement on Advancement of Yemen War Powers Resolution

Lee (R-UT) 11/28: Remarks on S.J. Res 54: The Yemen War Powers Act

Menendez (D-NJ) 11/28: Menendez Delivers Floor Speech Ahead of Vote on U.S. Military Role in Yemen

Young (R-IN) 11/28: Following Administration Briefing, Young Announces Support for Senate Joint Resolution on Yemen

Murphy (D-CT) 11/28: Statement After Senate Advances War Powers Resolution To End U.S. Involvement In War In Yemen

Murphy (D-CT) 11/28: Murphy Urges U.S. To End Involvement In War In Yemen

Corker (R-TN) 11/28: Corker Votes to Discharge Yemen War Powers Resolution From Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Iran

Poe (R-TX) 12/13: Floor statement – “Stand with the People of Iran”

Cruz (R-TX) 12/4: Cruz Questions Central Command nominee on nuclear threat Iran poses to the United States

Deutch (D-FL), Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Lowey (D-NY) and Poe (R-TX) 12/4: Joint Statement Urging Governments to Pressure Iran to Return Political Hostages

Kaine (D-VA) and Coons (D-DE) 12/3: Kaine, Coons Statement Calling For Release Of Americans Wrongfully Detained In Iran

Wilson (R-SC) 11/28: Countering Iran’s Dangerous Conduct

Klobuchar (D-MN) 11/27: Floor Speech Regarding the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi

Bacon (R-NE) 11/26: Statement in Regards to the Murder of Jamal Khashoggi (“Our response must be balanced, effective, and preserve our broader national security interests.  We must guard against over-reaction which would be self-defeating and strengthen Iran’s position in the Middle East, thereby putting our allies and our forces at greater risk.”)  

 

Other

Kinzinger (R-IL) 12/12: Floor statement, “Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act”

Garrett (R-VA) 12/10: Epic floor statement – “Ignorance or Evil” (slamming US policy in Syria and beyond; slamming Turkey, Iran, and Russia; slamming various regional groups)

Gohmert (R-TX) 12/6: Gohmert Response To Letter From Mr. Gaspard of the “Open Society Foundation” re: Mr. George Soros [doubling down on accusation that George Soros worked with the Nazis]