FMEP Legislative Round-Up December 20, 2024

Resource

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. House GOP Goes All-In on Targeting Israel Protest/Speech on Campus
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

  • 12/17/24: Eyewitness to Israel’s Intentionally Created Health Apocalypse in Gaza, ft. MEP President Lara Friedman speaking with Dr. Tammy Abughnaim, an American physician who has been to Gaza twice since 10/7/23, serving as a humanitarian physician and has worked at Al-Aqsa Hospital and Nasser Medical Complex; and Dr. Yara Asi, assistant professor at the University of Central Florida in the School of Global Health Management and Informatics, and visiting scholar at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University.
  • 12/17/24: Can Syria Rebuild? ft. FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart and Maha Yahya, Director of the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, discuss the new developments in Syria.
  • 12/16/24: Connecting the Bullets: Guns on the Kitchen Table to Organized Crime to Crimes Against Humanity, ft. FMEP’s Sarah Anne Minkin speaking with attorney and activist Meisa Irshaid, activist and author Rela Mazali, and Professor Jonathan Metzl about the proliferation of guns in civilian spaces in Israel/Palestine.

1. Bills & Resolutions

New legislation

  • (ENHANCE US-ISRAEL COOPERATION ON TUNNELS) S. 5562: Introduced 12/17/24 by Peters (D-MI) and Budd (R-NC), “A bill to modify United States-Israel anti-tunnel cooperation.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

  • (LEBANON DEMOCRACY) S.5574: Introduced 12/17/24 by Cardin (D-MD), Shaheen (D-ND), and Reed (D-RI), “A bill to support Lebanon’s rule of law and democratic institutions through sanctions, grants, and scholarships, and for other purposes.“ Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

  • (WE *HEART* THE ISRAELI AMBASSADOR) S. Res. 931: Introduced 12/17/24 by Graham (R-SC) and Blumenthal (D-CT), “A resolution recognizing the exceptional service of Ambassador Michael Herzog during his tenure as Ambassador of Israel to the United States.“ Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Updates on Pending Bills

  • (TARGETING IRAN ACTIONS IN THE US) S. 5398 [one-pager on the bill]: Introduced 11/21/24 in the Senate by Hassan (D-NH) “To authorize sentencing enhancements for certain criminal offenses directed by or coordinated with foreign governments,” aka the “Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors Act (DETERRENCE Act).” PASSED by the Senate 12/17/24 without amendment by Voice Vote.

Continuing Resolution

(FY25 CONTINUING RESOLUTION) HR 10455: On 12/17/24, Rep. Cole (R-OK) introduced the “Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025.” This is a bill to keep the government open in the absence of passage of regular appropriations bills this year. Notably, HR 10455 included lots of provisions that had nothing to do with keeping the government open (as often happens with must-pass bills), including three provisions related to Israel and the Middle East (below). NOTE: Following opposition from Elon Musk and president-elect Trump, the CR was dead-on-arrival in the House (as was a follow-up “clean” 3-month CR introduced 12/19/24 which met all of Trump’s demands, but was opposed both by Democrats and 38 Republicans). As of this writing it appears highly likely that the House will be unable to pass any CR, meaning the government will shut down at 12:01AM tomorrow morning.

  • Section 304:”Reports on Foreign Boycotts of Israel.”  Requires a report to Congress “on foreign boycotts described in section 1773(a) of the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4842(a)) targeted at the State of Israel” including “the steps taken by the Secretary of Commerce to enforce the provisions of the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4841 et seq.) with respect to such boycotts…“ NOTE: This section of law is NOT about targeting BDS or boycotts of settlements. This longstanding law is focused on the Arab League Boycott of Israel, with the law applying to “any boycott fostered or imposed by any foreign country“. This is the section of law that some in Congress have sought (unsuccessfully) to expand to include boycotts of Israel and/or settlements — in effect seeking to cynically conflate a COERCIVE boycott (as in, a foreign state compelling a person/company tp boycott Israel as condition for doing business) with the personal, values-based decision of an individual, not compelled or coerced by any outside party or force.
  • Section 306: “Ten-year statute of limitations for export control and anti- boycott violations.” [amending Section 1760 of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4819) to add a 10-year statute of limitation on any “action, suit, or proceeding for the enforcement of any civil fine, penalty, or forfeiture, pecuniary or otherwise, under this section“, such that “No person may be prosecuted, tried, or punished for any offense” under this Act “unless the indictment is found or the information is instituted within the 10-year period beginning on the latest date of the violation upon which the indictment or information is based…” [note: this is just an excerpt of the full section]
  • Section 811: “Establishment of Abraham Accords Office within Food and Drug Administration.” NOTE: This section has its own subtitle in the bill — “Subtitle B–United States-Abraham Accords Cooperation and Security“,  requiring the Secretary of FDA to “establish within the Food and Drug Administration an office, to be known as the Abraham Accords Office, to be headed by a director.” This subtitle also requires that “Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall– (1) in consultation with the governments of Abraham  Accords countries, as well as appropriate United States Government diplomatic and security personnel- -(A) select the location of the Abraham Accords Office in an Abraham Accords country; and (B) establish such office; and (2) assign to such office such personnel of the Food and Drug Administration as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the functions of such office.” The duties of that office are also laid out in detail, including to “provide technical assistance to regulatory partners in Abraham Accords countries on strengthening regulatory oversight and converging regulatory requirements for the oversight of regulated products, including good manufacturing practices and other issues relevant to manufacturing medical products that are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration“; to “facilitate interactions between the Food and Drug Administration and interested parties in Abraham Accords countries, including by sharing relevant information regarding United States regulatory pathways with such parties, and facilitate feedback on the research, development, and manufacturing of products regulated in accordance with this Act“; and to “carry out other functions and activities as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.” It also requires a report to Congress on the Abraham Accords Office.

The FY25 NDAA

On 12/18/24, the Senate passed HR 5009 — the FY25 NDAA+ — by a vote of 85-14 (one not voting), paving the way for it to be sent to the President to be signed into law. For full details of many, many provisions in the bill related to Israel and the Middle East, see last week’s edition of the Round-Up.  Also see:

  • Ernst (R-IA) 12/19/24: Ernst Builds Upon Trump’s Successful Abraham Accords in Defense Bill [“ Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, secured three provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 to strengthen the partnership among the Accords nations”]
  • AIPAC X-post 12/18/24: “AIPAC commends Congress for including critical pro-Israel provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. The importance of these provisions is underscored by Israel’s current fight against aggression from Iran and its terrorist proxies. Importantly, the bipartisan defense measure authorizes $500 million in FY 2025 for U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation. This includes funds for Israeli procurement of Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow, and for bilateral research, development, testing and evaluation. Other key provisions include: Increases and expands authorization of the U.S.-Israel anti-tunneling cooperative program to $80 million per year (a $30 million increase over FY24). Authorizes $47.5 million for new U.S.-Israel cooperation on emerging defense technologies including directed energy, AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and quantum. Requires the Department of Defense (DoD) and CENTCOM to assess and improve cooperation on space and satellite security capabilities with Israel and other Middle East security partners – the STARS Act. Requires DoD to consider the feasibility and advisability of including Israel in the National Technology and Industrial Base (NTIB). Requires the Secretary of Defense and the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency to provide the Government of Israel defense intelligence, advice, and support to the extent practicable, and consistent with United States objectives, to support Israel’s pursuit of the lasting defeat of Hamas, and to assist Israel in either capturing or killing senior Hamas officials. Establishes a new education and training program known as the “United States and Israel Trauma and Amputee Rehabilitation Education and Training Program.” 

2. Letters

3. House GOP Goes All-In on Targeting Israel Protest/Speech on Campus

On 12/19/24, following months of show hearings ostensibly focused on concerns about antisemitism, especially on campus — hearings that in fact were clearly targeted against free speech/protest for Palestinian lives/rights, and more broadly against all things House Republicans associate with “woke” and “liberal” academia —  House Republican leaders issued a report: Speaker Johnson, Committee Chairs Release Investigative Report Following House-Wide Effort to Combat Antisemitism. Full report text is here (truly worth reading in full).

As one could have predicted, the report finds (among other things) that universities are guilty of failing to prevent, stop, or punish antisemitism. The report recommends (among other things): “Universities Must Recognize That Discrimination Against ‘Zionists’ is an Unacceptable Antisemitic Civil Rights Violation: Universities should make clear that discrimination against Zionists is an unacceptable violation of their conduct policies and must prevent hostile environments created by discrimination against ‘Zionists.’ Campus Jewish communities are often targeted through antisemitic discrimination and harassment on the purported basis of being ‘Zionists.’ While criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitic, hatred against ‘Zionists’ is. Anti-Zionism has been recognized as a form of antisemitism by major Jewish organizations and a bipartisan vote of the U.S. House of Representatives.”

In terms of legal follow-up (and underscoring the degree to which “fighting antisemitism” is being used as pretext for a much broader assault on academia in general, the report demands (among other things) that universities “Increase Academic Rigor and Viewpoint Diversity,” claiming that “Universities that take billions in taxpayer dollars have been captured by radical faculties.” And foreshadowing what’s to come in the next Congress, the report calls on Congress to (a) “Pass Legislation Removing Title IV Eligibility from Any University That Boycotts or Divests From Israel“; (b) “Pass the DETERRENT Act” [targeting foreign funding in US academia]; and (c) “Pass the College Cost Reduction Act” [targeting endowments] – stating ” By ending the stream of subsidies for radicalism and holding schools accountable for their graduates’ success, colleges will need to focus less on ‘woke’ initiatives and more on ensuring students have access to an affordable education and a well-paying job after they graduate“. Also see: Harvard Crimson 12/19/24: House Republicans Threaten Funding Cuts, Endowment Tax After Yearlong Antisemitism Probe

Media reports (mainly stenography of House press release & report, accompanied in some cases by celebratory quotes from legacy Jewish organizational leaders):

Giddy US legacy Jewish organizational leadership response:

4. Selected Members on the Record

American Killed by Israel (not the IDF soldier – the peace activist, aka, the one the Biden Admin doesn’t care about)

  • Jayapal (D-WA) 12/20/24: Jayapal, Smith, Murray Call for U.S. Led Investigation Into the Death of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 12/17/24: X-post – “.@POTUS has shown us that there are no red lines when it comes to the Israeli government. Multiple Americans have been targeted and shot by Israeli forces under his Administration. Ayşenur and her family deserve justice. We demand an independent investigation into her murder.
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 12/17/24: X-post: “@POTUS said, “If you harm an American, we will respond.” But he has made it clear that when it comes to the Israeli government murdering Americans, nothing will be done. I joined Ayşenur’s family at the White House to honor her life and demand an independent investigation.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 12/17/24: X-post – “.@POTUS has shown us that there are no red lines when it comes to the Israeli government. Multiple Americans have been targeted and shot by Israeli forces under his Administration. Ayşenur and her family deserve justice. We demand an independent investigation into her murder.“

Genocide in Gaza (for and against)

  • Ramirez (D-IL) 12/17/24: X-post – “Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi – a Turkish American peace observer – was killed by the Israeli military. We are still waiting for information and accountability. I stood with Eygi’s family, colleagues, & advocates to urge our government to seek justice for her and for all the Americans and Palestinians killed in Israel’s campaign of collective punishment.“
  • Crenshaw (R-XX) 12/17/24: X-post – “Hamas doesn’t fight fair. They hide behind civilians, building tunnels under hospitals, schools, and homes, knowing full well Israel’s rules of engagement will hold them back. John Spencer (@SpencerGuard), Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point, breaks it down: when armies can’t use precision strikes, wars become longer, bloodier, and deadlier. Just look at Stalingrad, where a single building became a months-long fight. Gaza is no different—this is what happens when terrorists exploit humanity’s moral restraint. John joined me to cut through the myths about urban combat and explain the realities unfolding in Ukraine, Syria, and Gaza. We also look ahead: what would a Chinese invasion of Taiwan look like? How do we combat cartels on our southern border? These are the hard questions we have to confront if we want to win wars and protect civilians…“
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 12/16/24: X-post – “Silence. This is what we will continue to get from our country as the gruesome genocide in Gaza continues. Members of Congress own stock in war manufacturing, so the more bombs they authorize to be sent, they gain financially. It’s all so sick.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 12/16/24: X-post – “The images of Palestinians being burned alive, children carrying dead children, and the human suffering in Gaza are unbearable. Our country is funding and supporting this genocide. It’s disgusting. The inaction of @POTUS and his administration will be remembered in the world.”
  • Higgins (R-LA) 12/16/24: X-post – “The Israeli military says Hamas uses hospitals for its military operations. Hamas denies using hospitals as cover. CNN cannot independently verify either claim.” CNN may as well also report that they cannot verify the claim that cigarette smoking causes cancer. The entire world knows that Hamas uses human shields, hospital shields and subterranean bases. CNN is fake news.”
  • Sherman (D-CA) 12/16/24: X-post – “Hamas is responsible for much needless Palestinian civilian death resulting from its operations out of densely populated civilian areas, incl. schools and hospitals. Were it not for Hamas, Gaza could have prospered for the last two decades following #Israel’s 2005 disengagement.”

Israeli hostages in Gaza

  • Gimenez (R-FL) 12/18/24: X-post – “President Trump means what he says. All hostages must be immediately released — OR ELSE! As a lifelong ally of the Jewish people & the Jewish State of #Israel, I’m proud to stand with the families of victims & survivors of the ruthless Oct.7 massacre. Am Yisrael Chai!“
  • Barragán (D-CA) 12/17/24: X-post – “For over a year, the Israel-Hamas War has led to the loss of many innocent lives and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.    We must secure a ceasefire that leads to the release of all hostages, a surge of humanitarian assistance, and an end to this violence.“
  • Mace (R-SC) 12/17/24: Rep. Nancy Mace Stands With Israel, Calls on Hamas to Free Hostages
  • Scott (R-SC) 12/16/24: X-post – “Every waking moment, the people of Israel are haunted by the fact that men, women and children have been held hostage by Iran-backed Hamas for 437 days. These people are innocent. This must end! Bring them home!!”

Attacking the Irish

  • Cramer (R-ND) 12/18/24: X-post – “The United States and all friends of Israel will remember this ‘regrettable’ false equivalence by Ireland. Pro-peace you say? The 1,200 senselessly murdered and countless others who were raped and kidnapped would say otherwise? Pro-human rights? Hundreds of Jewish hostages would see it differently. Pro-international law? International law didn’t bring Hamas terrorists to justice, Israel did. It takes a lot of nerve for a country neutral during WWII to now lecture the world on human rights.” [in response to X-post from the Irish Prime Minister]

Other stuff

  • Ritchie (D-NY) 12/19/24: X-post – “The Assad regime in Syria, sponsored by the Islamic Republic, ran a ‘machinery of death’ that systematically tortured and murdered more than a 100k people. Yet the international community has shown nothing approaching the moral outrage that it reserves for Israel. The international outrage machine runs on an Anti-Zionist algorithm: ‘No Jews, No News.’“
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 12/19/24: X-post – “The Syrian people deserve peace and self-determination. Turkey and Israel must stop using this moment of political upheaval to carry out violent land grabs and illegal occupation of Syrian territory. The US must stand firmly against this illegal expansionism.“
  • Latta (R-OH) 12/18/24: X-post – “I was honored to attend the second ever menorah lighting in the U.S. Capitol this evening. This particular menorah is made of shrapnel from rockets shot down by the Israel Defense Forces and smelted together by an Israeli artisan. ‘They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.’ — Isaiah 2:4“
  • Hagerty (R-TN) 12/18/24: X-post – “The Biden Admin taking credit for Iran’s current weakness after 4 years of appeasement is delusional & absurd. Iran has been weakened because Israel consistently refused to cave to Biden Admin pressure to spare Iran’s proxies & to ‘take wins’ rather than actually weakening Iran.”
  • Dunn (R-FL) 12/18/24: X-post – “Big thanks to representatives from @AJCGlobal for joining me in DC today! Under President Trump, the US will continue to be a strong ally to Israel and the global Jewish community in their struggle for lasting peace and security. I stand with Israel now and always!“
  • Cornyn (R-TX) 12/18/24: X-post – “Netanyahu promises Israel isn’t bombing area where Austin Tice may be located” linked to article
  • Thendar (D-MI) 12/17/24: Rep. Thanedar Urges Firm U.S. Response to Iran’s Escalating Aggression
  • Cornyn (R-TX) 12/16/24: X-post – “How Israel Turned the Mideast Around: Barton Swaim interviews @AmbDermer” [linked to Wall Street Journal article that is so outrageous and offensive that I am not even going to include an excerpt]

5. Selected Media

Hanukkah – a Celebration of Netanyahu & Israel!

  • Jewish News Syndicate 12/17/24: House, Senate leaders host second annual Capitol menorah-lighting [excerpt speech by Johnson, R-LA – “As Prime Minister Netanyahu reminds us often, the battle for Israel’s existence is truly a battle between light and darkness. It’s a battle between civilization versus barbarism, good versus evil...”

Lawsuit Against Members of Congress Over Gaza War Suppport

Congress & Alleged Antisemitism in Medical Care

Other Stuff