FMEP Legislative Round-Up August 21, 2026

Resource

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


New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

  • 8/18/26: How Powerful Is Israel’s Lobby?, ft. FMEP fellow Peter Beinart in conversation with Eli Clifton and Ian Lustick, co-authors of the new book Israel’s Lobby: America in the Grip of a Foreign Power. They discuss the priorities and mechanisms used by what the call the Israel Lobby and whether it always gets its way; how to talk about the Israel lobby without being a conspiracy theorist; and the possibilities for the Israel lobby’s future.

1. Bills & Resolutions

(LEGISLATING/ENFORCING IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM) HR 8476: Introduced 4/23/26 by Fine (R-FL) and presently having 16 cosponsors (all Republicans), the “No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026.“ This bill, which seeks to condition federal aid to educational institutions on the implemention/enforcement of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its examples conflating criticism of Israel/Zionism with antisemitism, was marked up in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce back on 6/25/26, where it passed by a vote of 20-12 (see the 6/26/26 edition of the Round-Up for coverage of that markup). UPDATE: On 8/2/0/26, HR 8476 was reported out of that committee with a report – H. Rept. 119-759, Part I (not online as of this writing – it will eventually be posted here), and was placed on the Union Calendar (meaning it can be brought to the floor for a vote at any time, if House leadership wants to do so).


Reporting/posts on previously-introduced legislation:

  • JINSA 8/18/26: Shifting the Center of Gravity: Transforming the U.S.-Israel Security Partnership [a report calling for a new US-Israel 10-year MOU that BOTH continues $3.8 billion in annual US military funding for Israel, AND implements, in effect, Sec, 219 of the NDAA and even goes beyond it, including calling for expanding the US military presence in Israel. NOTE: It is not clear if this report is genuine maximalist demand that JINSA hopes to see implemented (or believes plausibly could be adopted) or if this is a tactical move intended to jump-start a narrative/advocacy effort to frame Sec. 219 of the NDAA as not merely NOT a big deal, but in fact as reasonable middle ground/compromise the acceptance of which involves significant Israeli sacrifice for which, frankly, the US should be grateful.]
  • Demand Progress 8/18/26: New Poll: Voters Oppose Integrating Israeli Military into Pentagon
  • Semaphor 8/17/26: Progressive Democrats eye Israel policy shift in 2027 [“Capitol Hill progressives are homing in on the ‘Block the Bombs Act’ as they prepare for a potential overhaul of Israel policy under a Democratic majority. The legislation would block certain weapons transfers to Israel and is cosponsored by more than a third of House Democrats. Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, said his bloc would push for it to come to the floor in a Democrat-controlled House and would oppose bills that ‘subsidize weaponry for a military that’s been out of control.’ He framed it as a way for Democrats to rebuild relationships with voters that had frayed over the Biden administration’s handling of Israel relations. ‘If we want to regain voters’ trust, we have to say that the Democratic Party position in the past just has not worked,’ Casar said.“]. Also see: House Progressives Mounting New Push to Pass Bill Blocking Arms to Israel (TruthOut 8/18/26)
  • Lankford (R-OK) 8/17/26: Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism Statement on 2025 FBI Hate Crimes Report [“Our bipartisan Jewish American Security Act will take important steps to protect Jewish Americans where they are targeted – on campus, in their communities, and online. We will continue working to pass this bill and take action at the federal level to protect Jewish Americans.”]

2. Letters & Reports

3. Hearings & Markups

None.

4. Selected Members on the Record

Israel/AIPAC/Islamophobia (separately & combined) in US Elex & politics

  • Rogers (R-MI) 8/20/26: X-post – “Senator Schumer, by “new energy,” do you mean antisemitism?” Responding to CSPAN post w/ video clip – “.@SenSchumer on U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed: ‘El-Sayed has brought in new energy and new talent into the Democratic party but also in Michigan itself.’”
  • Cruz (R-TX) 8/20/26: X-post – “Communism & Islamism are not new.” Responding to Libs of TikTok post w/ video clip – “Chuck Schumer is DOUBLING DOWN on his support for Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed: ‘El-Sayed has brought in new energy and new talent into the Democratic Party’ Democrats are officially the party of radical Socialism
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 8/20/26: X-post – “Huge congratulations to CA Sen. @aishabbwahab for winning this special election to Congress! Her grassroots, people-powered campaign fought millions from AIPAC and dark money groups afraid of her courage and leadership.  That’s exactly why my Medicare For All PAC invested $225,000 to help her cross the finish line. She is an amazing advocate for kids, working people, and for the glorious diversity that is our country. She can’t be bought and she’ll fight back even when it’s tough. I can’t wait to work with her to get #MedicareForAll so everyone has healthcare, to fight back against ICE’s cruelty, and to end forever wars. CA-14, thank you for showing up! I can’t wait to welcome Aisha to Congress!
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 8/18/26: X-post – “Corporate PACs, dark money, and AIPAC have spent $4.9 million in trying to stop a progressive grassroots fighter in this special election. But they can’t buy momentum, and @AishabbWahab has won both primaries with real support. Voters know she’s a fighter with a record of fighting for working people, and money can’t buy that. When we organize, we win.
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 8/18/26: X-post w/ video clip – “While AIPAC and corporate PACs spent millions on ads, our people were knocking doors. Two primary wins later, the results speak for themselves. You cannot out-organize people who are fighting for their own communities. We are ready to bring it home in the special election today for @AishabbWahab today!
  • Cruz (R-TX) 8/18/26: X-post – “Every time you think the Abdul El-Sayed story can’t get worse, another page of the family resume drops.” Responding to a post accusing El-Sayed’s mother of support for a “designated terror group” for working at a U.S. non-profit organization at a time when it was NOT designated by the U.S. government [that is – she worked for the organization when it was entirely legal to do so, and even the people promoting this story admit she was never charged with any crime or as a co-conspirator (nor were any of her colleagues)].
  • Torres (D-NY) 8/17/26: X-post leveraging outrage over an antisemitic Floridan GOP candidate to attack critics of Israel/Zionism – “The most extreme expression of unrepentant antisemitism in American politics is Dan Bilzerian, who has drawn far less public opprobrium than he deserves. Discarding the usual code words such as ‘Zionists,’ Bilzerian scapegoats Jews by name, openly declaring: ‘It is not red against blue. It is us against Jew.’ When he is not trafficking in Holocaust denial, he releases AI-generated campaign videos suggesting that our view of Hitler—whom he whitewashes as an “Austrian painter”—should be “revisited.” What distinguishes Dan Bilzerian from others who share his pathological preoccupation with the Jewish people and the Jewish state? His conspiratorial Jew-hatred is unfiltered by euphemism. He makes no attempt to hide it. He flaunts it. For he is proud of it. The rest of us should be ashamed.” [emphasis added]
  • Cruz (R-TX) 8/17/26: X-post – “This is meaningless virtue signaling. Republicans will keep our house clean of antisemites. This race is not even close. How about the antisemites, Nazis, and Islamists who won Democrat primaries and Democrats are trying to send to Congress?” Responding to Jeffries (D-NY) X-post calling out antisemitic campaign of the candidate challenging Fine (R-FL).
  • Cruz (R-TX) 8/14/26: X-post – “She seems nice. Abdul’s sister complains that Bernie needs to be even MORE pro-Hamas.” Linked to post by Abdul El-Sayed’s half-sister.
  • Cruz (R-TX) 8/14/26: X-post – “When they tell you who they are…believe them.” Linked to video clip of Abdul El-Sayed’s half-sister.

WE STAND WITH ISRAEL

  • McCormick (R-PA) 8/21/26: X-post – “It was great to meet with Israeli Consul General Eitan Weiss for a productive conversation about the war with Iran and the security challenges facing Israel, the United States, and the free world. At a moment this consequential, American leadership matters. Confronting threats to our shared security, and projecting strength are how we protect peace and stability around the world. This is peace through strength.
  • Scott (R-SC) 8/19/26: X-post – “It’s clear Israel gave Turkey advanced warning, and Ankara ignored it. Israel has the right and the duty to defend itself from threats.   Turkey needs to stop playing around, stop shilling for terrorists, and start acting like the NATO ‘ally’ they pretend to be.” Linked to Jerusalem Post article, Israel’s Syria strike risked scrambling Turkish jets, military escalation, US envoy tells ‘Post’
  • Cruz (R-TX) 8/19/26: X-post – “Israeli companies are betting big on Texas, investing $3.2 billion and creating more than 4,200 jobs across our state. Now that investment is expanding into AI, cyber, defense, water, and agriculture. Texas gets the jobs, the capital, and the technology. That’s a partnership worth growing.” With screenshots from an 8/18/26 Times of Israel blogpost by an Israeli entrepreneur, $4 Billion Is Just One Data Point: The Next Wave of Israel-Texas Innovation

Concern for Palestinians

  • Green (D-TX) 8/21/26: X-post – “IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Jerusalem Post article below, titled ‘Jewish violence in the West Bank is terrorism – and Israel must admit it – opinion,’ speaks for itself.” Link to article.
  • Ramirez (D-IL) 8/21/26: X-post – “Just like we can’t trust ICE to investigate itself, we can’t trust the perpetrators of a genocide to investigate their crimes. We demand an independent investigation into the war crimes committed by Israel. Hind Rajab and the thousands of Palestinians who have been murdered in Gaza and the West Bank deserve real justice and accountability. We must hold ALL perpetrators accountable. The violence and genocide of Palestinians must end and Congress can start by passing the Block the Bombs Act.”
  • Welch (D-VT) 8/20/26: X-post – “More than 64,000 children have been killed or injured in Gaza since the start of the war. They deserve justice just like Hind Rajab does.
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 8/19/26: X-post – “Over two years ago, the Israeli military killed 5-year-old Hind Rajab and her family. The Israeli government is now opening an ‘investigation’ into their deaths. But this is not enough. There must be accountability for the thousands of children killed by the IDF and the targeting of innocent civilians must be stopped.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 8/20/26: X-post – “After years of lies, we’re now expected to believe a genocidal military will investigate itself. We need real justice for Hind and the tens of thousands of children murdered in Gaza. War criminals must be investigated and tried by the ICC and in every jurisdiction.” Commenting on Associated Press story: Israeli military launches criminal probes into killings of Hind Rajab and Palestinian paramedics
  • Slotkin (D-MI) 8/20/26: X-post – “Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has once again made violent, dehumanizing comments about innocent civilians in Gaza. It is abhorrent and a shameful part of the Netanyahu government. He should be long gone from any government role and publicly condemned by anyone who claims to care about civilians, Israeli or Palestinian, in the region.” [Me: “The righteous rage being carefully articulated by US electeds/orgs/pundits over Ben-Gvir’s words calling for Israel to kill more Palestinians in Gaza is belied by their continued abject silence over Israel ACTUAL KILLING more Palestinians in Gaza.”]
  • Quigley (D-IL) 8/20/26: X-post – “After campaigning to be the “Pro-Peace President,” Trump has enabled Israel to cause further destruction to Gaza while blocking crucial aid. The American people deserve answers, and the world needs a path to peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike. I’m proud to join 62 of my colleagues in pushing Trump to uphold the Gaza Peace Plan and ensure lasting peace, humanitarian aid, and a path to Palestinian self-determination.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 8/19/26: X-post – “The solutions to many of our problems have already been identified. Now, we just need elected officials to have the courage to pass them into law. We can start with raising the minimum wage to $25/hr, passing Medicare for All, and ending the genocide in Gaza.”
  • Slotkin (D-MI) 8/19/26: X-post – “There have been hundreds of settler attacks this year alone in the West Bank resulting in death and injuries — including awful incidents this past weekend. Settlers have killed Palestinian and American civilians, surrounded homes, burned down villages and mosques, thrown stones at residents, and kept innocent civilians from food and water. The cycle of settler expansion and violence with no consequences must end. And responsibility falls squarely with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government, who either turn a blind eye or openly support this kind of violence. For a Jewish state to support such violence, given the history of Jewish people fleeing similar terror just a few generations ago, is reprehensible. And Congress should use all the tools we have to demand basic accountability.There have been hundreds of settler attacks this year alone in the West Bank resulting in death and injuries — including awful incidents this past weekend. Settlers have killed Palestinian and American civilians, surrounded homes, burned down villages and mosques, thrown stones at residents, and kept innocent civilians from food and water. The cycle of settler expansion and violence with no consequences must end. And responsibility falls squarely with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government, who either turn a blind eye or openly support this kind of violence. For a Jewish state to support such violence, given the history of Jewish people fleeing similar terror just a few generations ago, is reprehensible. And Congress should use all the tools we have to demand basic accountability.” Linked to PBS article: Settler siege of Palestinian homes in the West Bank a ‘horrific act of terror,’ U.S. ambassador says [Me: “Great to see members of Congress speaking up – but after decades of occupation/apartheid/escalating state-enabled Jewish-Israeli terrorism in the West Bank, denouncing ‘settler attacks’ by making it all about Bibi is unforgivably disingenuous & politically cowardly framing.”]
  • Boyle (D-PA) 8/18/26: X-post – “Amb @usembassyjlm – As you know, I wrote to you on Aug 13 seeking the immediate release of my constituent, a US citizen who was harassed and detained for no apparent reason. While I’m glad he’s been released, we still deserve answers as to why a US citizen was treated like this.
  • Jeffries (D-NY) 8/17/26: X-post – “The ongoing siege of Palestinian homes in the West Bank by violent, lawbreaking settlers is unacceptable. Enough. The Trump administration must compel the Israeli government to protect the lives, property and livelihood of innocent Palestinian civilians.” [Me: “The right message, regrettably – & unforgivably – almost 3 years of genocide/ethnic cleansing, & decades of occupation/apartheid, with all the violations of Palestinian rights that has involved, too late.“]
  • Green (D-TX) 8/17/26: ICYMI: The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “Israel should kill ‘30-40’ Gazans every night, Ben-Gvir says on ex-hostage’s podcast.”
  • Rosen (D-NV) 8/16/26: X-post – “These comments are horrific and completely indefensible. Anyone advocating for acts of violence against innocent civilians should not be in an official government position. I believe Ben Gvir must resign, and I urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to denounce these remarks and reaffirm to the world that this is not the government’s position.” [Me: “The right message, regrettably – & unforgivably – almost 3 years of support for genocide/ethnic cleansing, & decades of occupation/apartheid, with all the violations of Palestinian rights that has involved, too late.“]

Islamophobia

  • Self (R-TX) 8/21/26: X-post – “Sharia has no place in America.” With gif reading: AMERICAN LAW ONLY
  • Gill (R-TX) 8/20/26: X-post – “Stop Islamic immigration now, or our children pay the price.” With gif reading: “Mass Islamic immigration is incompatible with American Culture – Congressman Brandon Gill”
  • Fine (R-FL) 8/20/26: X-post – “LAKE COUNTY ISLAMIFICATION ALERT: Stop Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini’s crusade to build a Sharia Center!” Responding to Laura Loomer post – “I have obtained a copy of a letter signed by @AnthonySabatini, a Lake County, Florida Commissioner and failed Congressional candidate which shows he supports the Florida Islamic Center in Lake County, Florida, which is trying to expand…If you live in Lake County, Florida, (where I previously ran for US Congress) you need to tell your commissioners to vote NO on the Islamic center’s expansion. If I was representing this district, I’d have the entire Islamic center shut down. RECEIPTS
  • Fine (R-FL) 8/20/26: X-post – “You love to see it. Florida will not be conquered by those who don’t share our values.” Responding to Libs of TikTok post – “BREAKING: Florida AG says he shut down a mini tax-payer funded mosque in Orlando International Airport
  • Fine (R-FL) 8/20/26: X-post – “Muslim foot washing stations should not be put in public places in America. PERIOD.”
  • Roy (R-TX) 8/19/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Rep. Roy: ‘The American people can see how out of touch Democrats are with their values. We’re talking about whether you think boys should be in girls’ bathrooms, whether or not boys should compete against girls in sports, whether or not we should have an Islamic state in the United States. That’s why Democrats are polling so low.’”
  • Min (D-CA) 8/19/26: X-post – “The online threats of violence against the Islamic Center of Irvine are unacceptable, and we must call this out together. Hate has no place in Irvine, Orange County, or anywhere else…
  • Self (R-TX) 8/19/26: X-post w/ video clip – “There are 1,400 years of history proving that once Sharia takes root in a country, it conquers and dominates. We know their plans for Texas. We know what they intend to do to America because we have seen the consequences unfold elsewhere. DEFEND THE WEST.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 8/19/26: X-post “.@detroitnews has a writer who drew this racist cartoon below. I am not surprised that they downplay anti-Muslim hate.” With screenshot of cartoon of a caricatured Tlaib sitting behind a desk with a word bubble reading: “Odd. My pager just exploded.”
  • Self (R-TX) 8/18/26: X-post – “The Marxist-Islamic alliance is trying to kill the ‘last best hope for mankind.’
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 8/18/26: press release – Rep. Tlaib responds to targeting of Michigan Muslim families
  • Dingell (D-MI) 8/18/26: X-post – “I join Dearborn in standing up to anti-Muslim hate and those seeking to divide us. Hate has no home in Michigan.
  • Tuberville (R-AL) 8/18/26: X-post – “We cannot allow radical Islamic JIHADISTS to destroy our great country.”
  • Lee (R-UT) 8/17/26: X-post – “Who among us didn’t go to school with a guy named ‘Abdullah Hussein Hammoud’?” Responding to a post/video clip from the account “End Wokeness”, “Dearborn’s mayor, with a straight face: “Abdullah Hussein Hammoud is a name that is as American as any
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 8/17/26: X-post – “Islamophobia is a problem among both Democrats and Republicans. The silence in Michigan among state leaders while one of the largest cities in the state is being terrorized by Islamophobes is shameful.”
  • Self (R-TX) 8/17/26: X-post – “The Islamization of Texas is real. Streets named after Muslims. Mayor of Houston deems Easter a ‘spring holiday,’ while openly naming and celebrating Eid Al-Fitr. Islamic Tribunal Court in Dallas asserts its decisions have the support of the Texas judicial system. We will not accommodate those who refuse to assimilate into American society or reject our constitutional rule of law. SHUT DOWN SHARIA.”
  • Fine (R-FL) 8/17/26: X-post – “There are nearly 40 ‘Mini Mamdanis’ who have already won congressional primaries across America per @SpeakerJohnson. If you don’t think the rise of Muslim terror is a serious problem, you’re not paying attention. We can’t allow the halls of Congress to be turned into Dearborn.
  • Self (R-TX) 8/17/26: X-post – “The rapid spread of political Islam and radical Islamists who seek to impose Sharia law is on the rise—especially in Texas. We must stand firm on the principle that there is only one supreme law in America: the United States Constitution. Texas needs us to stand strong and defend it.
  • Self (R-TX) 8/19/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Political Islam is very clear in its aims: infiltrate and influence local government in an effort to undermine the rule of law and impose its own legal system. Citizens across North Texas rightfully refuse to stay silent about the threat of Sharia. Keep speaking up!
  • Mace (R-SC) 8/17/26: X-post – “Nobody wants to see you washing your feet in the airport. Keep it moving.”
  • Gillibrand (D-NY) 8/17/26: X-post – “This Islamophobic vandalism is unacceptable and has no place in New York. Every New Yorker deserves to practice their faith without fear, and we must stand united against hate in all its forms.” Linked to article: Hate Crimes Unit investigating graffiti at Islamic center construction site in Shirley
  • Fine (R-FL) 8/16/26: X-post – “Jihadi Mamdani does not belong as Mayor of NYC. He needs to be denaturalized and sent back home to Uganda. I’ve had enough of his garbage.
  • Fine (R-FL) 8/16/26: X-post – “Michigan is unrecognizable. It’s happening one county at a time. Not one elected official born in America. Not one who shares American values. This will soon be the entire United States if we don’t change course. The time for action is NOW.” Commenting on post from an account called “End Wokeness”: “Hamtramck’s City Council in Michigan. 0 out of 6 were born in America.” With a pic of members of that city council, all of whom have names suggesting Muslim Arab or South Asian backgrounds.
  • Fine (R-FL) 8/15/26: X-post – “Jews and Christians live out their faith without forcing it on anyone else. Too much of mainstream Islam demands the opposite: convert or submit. That’s the fundamental difference. We must stop the Islamification of America.

Other

  • Van Hollen (D-MD) 8/18/26: X-post – “This is a total abuse of power. Once again Rubio is sucking up to Netanyahu – Trump himself said as much earlier this year. Will EU leaders and others stand up to this farce?” Commenting on latest attack on ICC judges/lawyers by the Trump Admin, and posting a screenshot of a Reuters 7/31/26 headline: Trump says ICC campaign aimed at defending Netanyahu, not himself
  • Wilson (R-SC) 8/18/26: X-post – “I agree with @USAMBTurkiye. Continued one-sided aggression is detrimental to peace and stability. Syria has demonstrated a genuine desire for dialogue with Israel and continues to intercept weapons smuggled from Iraq, intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon to threaten Israel.

5. Selected Media

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

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Alaska

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Georgia

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Illinois

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Massachusetts

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – South Carolina

Other Stuff