FMEP Legislative Round-Up July 31, 2026

Resource

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

1. Bills & Resolutions

(SENATE FY27 NDAA) S. 4784: As covered in last week’s edition of the Round-Up (and previous), the Senate version of the FY27 NDAA, S. 4784, was stalled in the Senate as of 7/17/26. Last week – on 7/20/26 – Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) offered another motion to proceed with S. 4784.  Three days later, on 7/23/26, that motion was withdrawn. This week, on 7/27/26, Thune offered another motion to proceed with S. 4784. As of this writing (9am EDT on 7/31/26) no further action has been taken.

(REMOVE U.S. FROM UNAUTHORIZED WAR WITH IRAN) S. J. Res. 181:  Introduced 4/13/26 by Gillibrand (D-NY) and having 8 cosponsors (all Democrats), “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.” On 7/30/26, REJECTED by the Senate (in a procedural vote to discharge it from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which would have allowed a vote on the resolution on the Senate floor; in the case the procedural vote is, in effect, a vote on the underlying resolution) by a vote of 49-50. Also see: Senate blocks another Democratic Iran war powers push [“Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul again broke with their party to vote for the resolution with most Democrats, while Sen. John Fetterman voted against it“] (Jewish Insider 7/30/26); Senate Republicans block resolution to halt Iran war (The Hill 7/30/26)

(REPEAL 1957 AUMF) S.5206 [bill text]: Introduced 7/30/26 by Kaine (D-VA) and 3 cosponsors (bipartisan), “A bill to repeal the joint resolution entitled ‘A joint resolution to promote peace and stability in the Middle East’.”  Rreferred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: press release – Kaine, Lee, Merkley, & Paul Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Repeal 1957 Authorization for Use of Military Force

(CUT OFF FUNDS FOR IRAN WAR) HR 9964 [bill text]: Introduced 7/27/26 by Larson (D-CT), “To amend the War Powers Resolution to provide for the limitation on Federal funding in contravention of the requirements of the War Powers Resolution,” aka the “No Funds for Illegal Wars Act.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Armed Services. Also see: press release – Larson Introduces Bill to Cut Off All Funding for Illegal Iran War

(CONDEMN IRAN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES) S. Res. 819: Introduced 7/30/26 by Blackburn (R-TN) and 2 Republican cosponsors, “A resolution condemning the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for its ongoing human rights abuses, including its use of politically motivated espionage claims to justify arbitrary detention and executions.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(TARGETING IRAN/POLISARIO): HR 9982: Introduced 7/30/26 by Gottheimer (D-NJ) and 5 cosponsors (bipartisan), the “Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026,” aka “To impose sanctions on the Polisario Front if it cooperates with an Iranian-affiliated terrorist organization.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: press release – Gottheimer, Jackson Introduce Bipartisan Bill Targeting Polisario Front Cooperation with Iranian Regime; House lawmakers introduce bill to move Iran-backed Polisario Front towards terror designation [“The Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies are working overtime to open a new front against the United States and our allies, and the Polisario Front has become one of their instruments,’ Rep. Josh Gottheimer said“] (Jewish Insider 7/30/26). NOTE: This is the House version of S. 4063, introduced 3/11/26 by Cruz (R-TX) – indeed, as of this writing (9am EDT on 7/31/26) Gottheimer’s press release links to a pdf of Cruz’s bill. 

(TARGETING TURKEY) HR 10008 // S. 5205: Introduced 7/30/26 in the House by Titus (D-NV), and in the Senate by Markey (D-MA), “To promote democracy, defend human rights, and impose accountability on the Government of Turkey for systemic political repression, censorship, transnational repression, and violations of international law.” Referred to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs; Financial Services; and the Judiciary; and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Reporting/posts on other previously introduced legislation:

2. Letters & Reports

3. Hearings & Markups

August 5, 2026: The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights is scheduled to hold a hearing entitled, Hidden in Plain Sight: Confronting the Muslim Brotherhood Network in America. No further details have been published as of this writing (7/31/26, 11:15am EDT)

4. Selected Members on the Record

Israel/AIPAC in US Elex & politics

  • Sanders (I-VT) 7/30/26: X-post w/ video clip- “Let me be very clear: opposing the genocide in Gaza is not antisemitism.”
  • Barrasso (R-WY) 7/30/26; X-post – “Democrats are determined to tear down our country & tear up the Constitution. They want to open the borders & control the economy. They want to weaken our military & abandon Israel. These policies are disastrous for our country. There is no part of America they would not destroy.” Also see on his website with video link: Radical Democrats Are Determined to Tear Down Our Country and Tear Up the Constitution
  • Sanders (I-VT) 7/29/26: X-post – “WHY ARE THE BILLIONAIRES SO PANICKED BY ABDUL EL-SAYED? The Democratic Senate primary in Michigan is much more than a campaign between Congresswoman Haley Stevens and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. It is part of the ongoing struggle between Oligarchy and grassroots progressive politics. It is about whether we can create a government that represents ALL Americans, or one that continues to be controlled by wealthy campaign contributors. As of today, billionaire-funded outside groups, led by AIPAC, have spent a record-breaking $50 million to support Haley Stevens — a roughly 60-to-1 advantage over Abdul El-Sayed. Let me repeat. A 60-to-1 advantage. Despite that, recent polling indicates that the race is extremely close — with some polls showing Abdul in the lead. Why are the billionaires so panicked by Abdul El-Sayed and his campaign? Why are they desperate to see him defeated? The answer is not complicated. A win by Abdul, following recent progressive victories across the country, will make it clearer than ever that the American people are sick and tired of the same-old, same-old Establishment politics and policies. They want change, real change. They want a Democratic Party which stands for the working class, not the billionaire class. They want the policies that Abdul is campaigning on, which include:— Health care for All as a human right. — Strong support for unions, raising the minimum wage to a living wage and building millions of units of affordable housing. — Increased taxes on the billionaire class. — An end to “endless wars” and not another nickel for the extremist Netanyahu government in Israel. — Real campaign finance reform which gets big money and super PACs out of politics.“
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 7/28/26: X-post “Yep. Yet so many on Congress still fund his genocide.” Commenting on post by Zeteo’s Prem Thakker: “New poll: Americans believe the U.S. should arrest Benjamin Netanyahu by a +22 margin”
  • Massie (R-KY) 7/26/26: X-post – “The U.S. has been significantly weakened by the war with Iran. This administration depleted our missile defenses, drained our oil reserves, sacrificed our men & women, inflated the price of consumer goods, increased our debt, and neglected our domestic needs…all for Israel.”
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 7/27/26: X-post – “Maine Character Syndrome : Hard Anti-Israel / Accused of sexual assault / Discredited / Unemployed.” With pic of Jerusalem Post headline: International Criminal Court faces search for new prosecutor after Karim Khan dismissal
  • Van Hollen (D-MD) 7/28/26: X-post – “Today, President Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House — their 8th meeting since Trump returned to office. Netanyahu is wanted for war crimes, with a warrant out for his arrest. He should be nowhere near the Oval Office.” Van Hollen posted a video statement on this same message on his website.
  • Massie (R-KY) 7/28/26: X-post – “The Israeli lobby spent $30 million to beat me, but America won because an entire generation is now aware of their corrosive influence on our government. Every elected Republican in Congress is bought, captured, or intimidated by them to some degree. I am the last who is not.”
  • Massie (R-KY) 7/26/26: X-post – “The U.S. has been significantly weakened by the war with Iran. This administration depleted our missile defenses, drained our oil reserves, sacrificed our men & women, inflated the price of consumer goods, increased our debt, and neglected our domestic needs… all for Israel.”
  • Bacon (R-NE) 7/25/26: X-post – “Shun people who always blame the Jews. They are sick in the head.” Responding to post attacking Michigan candidate Abdul El-Sayed
  • Khanna (D-CA) 7/25/26: X-post – “Respectfully, I have no idea who you are, but every top Jewish American elected in my district endorsed my campaign & we won decisively in a district with a significant Israeli expat community. Many recognize the horrors of what took place in Gaza & occupation in the West Bank.”
  • Khanna (D-CA) 7/25/26: X-post – “America is destroying our moral credibility with threatening war crimes in Iran and having provided aid for war crimes in Gaza. A new generation needs to lead a renewal of moral purpose in our foreign policy.”

Concern for Palestinians

  • McGovern (D-MA) 7/30/26: X-post w/ video clip- “How many medical evacuation requests for cancer patients in Gaza have been approved by the Netanyahu government since June? I asked Dr. Fadi Atrash and Dr. Khadra Salameh from Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem. Their answer? Zero.” His full conversation here.
  • Sanders (I-VT) 7/26/26: X-post – “GAZA: THE SUFFERING CONTINUES Today in Gaza, most of the TV cameras are gone and media interest has declined. But, more than nine months after the announcement of a supposed “ceasefire”, the suffering of the Palestinian people continues. Today, 92% of housing units in Gaza are damaged or destroyed, 70% of the entire population lacks adequate housing and is forced to live in makeshift shelters, 86% of agricultural water wells have been damaged, the vast majority of households report significant challenges in accessing safe and clean sanitation facilities and 90% of all energy infrastructure has been destroyed. And what about the children? Today in Gaza, 91% of school-aged children do not have sustained access to in-person education, 93% of school buildings will require full reconstruction or major rehabilitation to be functional again and 70% of infants and young children under two years of age are experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity. All of this is taking place after the horrific destruction that Netanyahu’s extremist government brought to Gaza over the last three years: more than 73,000 Palestinians killed and 173,000 wounded — mostly women, children and the elderly. In addition, virtually the entire infrastructure of Gaza was destroyed. Israel now controls an estimated 70% of Gaza, well beyond what they agreed to, and has built dozens of military outposts inside Gaza since the “ceasefire” began. In the nine months since the “ceasefire” was announced, Israel has killed at least 1,150 Palestinians, including a family of six last week. Now, as if to remove any doubt about their intentions, senior leaders of the Netanyahu government are moving to make the occupation permanent. Recently, a number of government ministers led thousands of settlers to the Gaza border demanding new illegal Jewish settlements be built there. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stood up and said “Gaza is ours.” The shameful fact is that the United States is complicit in everything that is happening in Gaza. We have funneled tens of billions of dollars in military aid to an Israeli government that has consistently violated international law and whose leader is a war criminal. The good news is that the American people are catching on. More and more Americans — Democrats, Republicans and independents — are demanding that we stop all military aid to Israel and use our considerable leverage to end the suffering of the Palestinian people. Enough is enough! Congress must listen to the American people. NO MORE U.S. MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL.”
  • Khanna (D-CA) 7/24/26: X-post – “I am very proud of a former intern of mine for writing this piece and calling me out where she disagrees. We need this new generation to renew moral purpose in our politics.” Linked to article: Ro Khanna’s West Bank trip shows bearing witness is not enough (Mondoweiss 7/24/26)

Israel // Abraham Accords // Board of Peace

  • Scott (R-SC) 7/31/26: X-post – “The agreement by Hamas to disarm in Gaza is a meaningful step forward for establishing stability in the region. Grateful for President Trump’s leadership, the hard work of his team, and the Board of Peace in securing this breakthrough to make sure the tragedy of October 7th never happens again.”
  • McCormick (R-PA) 7/31/26: X-post – “This is a critical step to strengthen Israel’s security and give Gazans the chance to rebuild free from Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorists. Gaza’s future should be determined by its people, not those who thrive on terror.”
  • Cramer (R-SD) 7/29/26; X-post – “Iran’s capabilities are being degraded every single day. Our offensive operations are diminishing their ability to threaten the region, and our allies in the region are stepping up alongside us. Lasting peace in the Middle East requires our Arab partners to stand together and strengthen their alliance with the United States and Israel.”
  • Schneider (D-IL) 7/28/26: X-post – “I lose sleep thinking about Iran as a nuclear country, and despite President Trump’s unauthorized war, Iran still has all its nuclear materials, much of its missile program, and it continues to support Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. As Co-Chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus I know that the answer isn’t poorly thought out wars, but building a more integrated Middle East in which its diverse people can lift each other up and escape the gravity of history.”
  • Alford (R-MO) 7/28/26: X-post w/ video clip – “President Trump has made it clear: America stands with Israel, and I support that. When it comes to Ukraine, we need a smarter approach. Supporting allies should go hand in hand with expecting our partners, especially in NATO, to step up and share the responsibility. America should lead with peace through strength, protect its interests, & make sure we’re not carrying the burden alone.”

Straight-Up Islamophobia

  • Fine (R-FL) 7/28/26: X-post w/ video clip – “If someone yells ‘Praise Jesus!’ — you’d smile. ‘Baruch Hashem?’ You might not even know what it means. But if someone screams ‘Allahu Akbar!’ — everyone runs for their lives. Fear of Islam is rational and we have to stop pretending otherwise.”

Lebanon

  • Slotkin (D-MI) 7/27/26: X-post – “Last week, I met with President Aoun again after our meeting in Beirut in February. We discussed the concerns of many Michiganders who have had family members killed and homes destroyed by Israeli strikes — and the need for documentation and accountability for this destruction, particularly in southern Lebanon. We also discussed the trilateral talks, the importance of implementation of the planned pilot zones, and the need for U.S. assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces to enable Hezbollah’s disarmament.“

5. Selected Media

Bibi & Other Israeli officials in DC

Israel/AIPAC (and Iran) in US elex & politics – GENERAL

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Arizona

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Colorado

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Connecticut

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Kansas

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Kentucky

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Maine

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Maryland

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Massachussetts

  • Jewish Insider 7/29/26: Auchincloss faces skeptical reception from Jewish voters upset over his vote to cut off Israel funding [“Many of the attendees at Temple Emanuel who listened to the congressman defend his position appeared critical of the stance he’d taken and unconvinced by his explanation, Jewish constituents said“]
  • CNN 7/26/26: Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary sets up a battle of generations [“…Moulton, who ran closer to the center of the ideological pack in the 2020 Democratic primary, brushes off what Markey called a ‘big difference’ in their positions, ‘We both have progressive values,’ he said. The Marine Corps veteran, who was first elected to Congress in 2014, has recently tacked further to the left on some issues – calling to abolish US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and pledging to return donations from the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Minnesota

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Missouri

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

  • NH Journal 7/29/26: Sanders-Aligned ‘Our Revolution’ Backs Urrutia in NH-01 Dem Primary [“Our Revolution is also an outspoken opponent of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s involvement in Democratic primaries. It has accused AIPAC of using big-money spending to defeat progressive candidates and supports banning super PAC spending in Democratic contests. That position could become significant in the NH-01 race. Urrutia has pledged not to accept support from AIPAC or affiliated groups and has called Israel’s military campaign in Gaza a ‘genocide.’ ‘No AIPAC money. No DMFI money. Not now. Not ever,’ Urrutia said previously. ‘Stop the weapons. Stop sending taxpayer dollars to fund it.’ He’s also called out Shaheen and Sullivan for refusing to say whether they would have joined more than 100 U.S. House Democrats and voted to end all military aid to Israel. ‘I would have voted for the Massie Amendment,’ Urrutia said. ‘Members of Congress have one main duty – to vote – and candidates have a related duty – telling voters where they stand.’ U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, who Urrutia is hoping to replace, voted ‘present.'”]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Pennsylvania

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Virginia

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Washington State

  • The Spokesman-Review 7/26/26: Big money, dark money, union money: The cash trying to win Washington’s 5th Congressional district seat [“A strong defender of Israel and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Baumgartner’s largest single donor, by far, is the Israeli-interest group AIPAC, which had single-handedly donated roughly $68,000 to the candidate by the end of July. Combine that with roughly $11,000 raised from Turkish- and Pakistani-interest PACs, and foreign interest groups make up Baumgartner’s second-largest support sector.“]

Lindsey Graham & His love of Israel & War on Iran

Iran

Saudi Arabia Nuclear Deal

Other Stuff

  • The New Republic 7/29/26: Transcript: Inside AOC’s Foreign Policy Vision [“Writer Jonathan Guyer says that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is presenting a different foreign policy vision than previous Democrats who have ran for president.”]