FMEP Legislative Round-Up: December 22, 2023

1.Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New:

  • 12/20/23 – New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, “The story of Attiya Nabaheen reveals the system that devalues Palestinian life”: On Gaza, Israeli law, and the Lack of Recourse, ft. FMEP’s Sarah Anne Minkin in conversation with FMEP Fellow Rabea Eghbariah, about his former client Attiya Nabaheen, a Palestinian teenager from Gaza who sued the Israeli Ministry of Defense for compensation for injuries caused by Israeli soldiers while he was walking, unarmed, on his family’s land in late 2014, during a time of ceasefire, or “status quo.” Deciding against Attiya, the Israeli Supreme Court “set a chilling precedent such that no one in Gaza can seek compensation for any damages caused by Israel,” as Rabea Eghbariah wrote in a recent New York Times op-ed. This conversation discusses the case and its implications for Gazans and Palestinians more broadly. After surviving four wars in Gaza, Attiya Nabaheen was killed, along with his family, in an Israeli airstrike on October 8th, 2023.
  • New from the Congressional Research Service: Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process (Updated 12/19/23)

NOTE: With Congress out of session there will (hopefully) be no Round-Up next week.

 

1. Bills, Resolutions & letters

Palestinians in the US

Targeting Iran

  • (MORE IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 6865: Introduced 12/19/23 by Lee (D-CA) and no cosponsors, “To provide for additional sanctions and other measures relating to Iran, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and the Judiciary.
  • (TARGETING IRAN AT THE IMF) HR 6840: Introduced 12/15/23 by Hill (R-AR) and Sherman (D-CA), “To prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from engaging in transactions involving the exchange of Special Drawing Rights issued by the International Monetary Fund that are held by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Reported out of  Committee & Placed on the Union Calendar 12/19/23 (as in, can be brought up for a vote at anytime)

  • (IRAN) HR 5921, the “No U.S. Financing for Iran Act of 2023.” Introduced 10/11/23 by Huizenga (R-MI) and currently having 30 cosponsors (all Repiblican), to “prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from issuing any licenses authorizing a U.S. financial institution to engage in transactions for trade with Iran, other than food, medicine, or medical devices benefitting Iranian civilians. The legislation also requires the Secretary to oppose International Monetary Fund (IMF) assistance to Iran, and to ensure that IMF member companies do not exchange Special Drawing Rights held by Iran. H.R. 5921 further prohibits the Export-Import Bank from providing assistance involving the Iranian government, or an entity owned or controlled by the government.” Passed by the House Financial Services Committee 11/14/23 by a vote of 34 – 12.
  • (IRAN) HR 5923, the “Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023.” Introduced 10/11/23 by Lawler (R-NY) and having 10 cosponsors (all Republicans plus Gottheimer, D-NY), to “expand secondary sanctions involving Iran to cover all transactions between Chinese financial institutions and sanctioned Iranian banks that transact for the purchase of petroleum and petroleum products. The bill would also require an annual determination as to whether Chinese financial institutions have engaged in sanctionable conduct.”  Passed by the House Financial Services Committee 11/14/23 by a vote of 47 – 0.
  • (IRAN) HR 6245, the “Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act.” Introduced 11/6/23 by Hill (R-AR) and having 3 cosponsors (one Dem is Vargas, D-CA) to require the President “to report on the assets of certain Iranian government officials and terrorist leaders while also providing for the publication of those assets. This legislation further requires the Secretary of the Treasury to seek the closure of U.S. and foreign financial institution accounts connected with the assets.” Passed by the House Financial Services Committee 11/14/23 by a vote of 49 – 0.
  • (IRAN) HR 6365, the “Stopping Illicit Oil Shipments Act of 2023.” Introduced 11/13/23 by Waters (D-CA), to “require the insurance and reinsurance companies to include in their agreements for shipping coverage termination clauses that would be triggered when a flag state withdraws the registration of a vessel, often used as a method of disguising the transport of sanctioned oil.” Passed by the House Financial Services Committee 11/14/23 by a vote of 50 – 0.
  • (HELPING ETHNICALLY CLEANSE GAZA) HR 6367, the “Armed Conflict Migration Act of 2023.” Introduced 11/13/23 by Cleaver (D-MO), to “direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the United States Executive Director at each international financial institution to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to provide financial assistance to countries that receive an influx of civilian, non-combatant displaced persons stemming from the armed conflict that has resulted from Hamas’s October 2023 terrorism in Israel, to be used for humanitarian aid for the displaced persons.” NOTE: This bill, in the name of providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, will directly enable/facilitate the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip (while simultaneously framing this policy as support for “migration” – framing that would appear to treat Palestinians fleeing Gaza as voluntary migrants rather than refugees. NOTABLY: As amended on 11/15/23 in Committee, the bill was somewhat improved by adding that US should support such assistance “provided that such persons are not arbitrarily deprived of the ability to reenter the place from which they were displaced.” In principle this is an improvement on the original bill, which made no mention of any concern that displaced Palestinians might not be permitted to return home. In practice, the word “arbitrary” is doing a lot of work in this bill (it is not a challenge to imagine Israeli arguments for why banning return of Palestinians in Gaza is based on Israeli-defined criteria/objectives that are in no way arbitrary). Likewise, based on the experiences of the 1948 and 1967 Wars, Palestinian fears that, if they leave their homeland Israel will never let them return (and the world will stand by and allow Israel to do so), are clearly very well-founded. ALSO NOTE:  Since October 7th few members of Congress have shown any concern or empathy for Palestinian civilians in Gaza (for example, pressing for humanitarian aid for Gaza, or – crazy idea, I know – pressuing Israel to stop killing/injuring/starving civilians & destroying homes, hospitals, schools, etc).  Yet, when concern for Palestinian civilians is cynically harnassed to an initiative that directly serves Israel’s objective of thinning/eradicating the Palestinian population of Gaza, we suddenly see bipartisan support for passing/expediting legislation. Passed by the House Financial Services Committee 11/14/23 by a Voice Vote.
  • (TARGETING NGOs THAT SUPPORT PALESTINIAN RIGHTS) HR 6408: setting up a new category of lawfare to open the door to targeting any/all NGOs, but aimed initially at NGOs that deal with Palestinian rights. Introduced 11/14/23 by Kustoff (R-TN) and having 7 cosponsors (bipartisan), D-IL), “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations.” NOTE: As noted in the 11/17/23 edition of the Round-Up, US charitable organizations (*like all other US entities*) are already barred by law from providing material support for terror and already face intense scrutiny (for example, see the landmark Holy Land Foundation case). With this in mind, one must ask: what’s the real purpose of HR 6408? Some observers seem to assume that it is merely about virtue signaling and grandstanding, but careful reading of the text of HR 6408 (and the text of the bill as amended in Committee) strongly suggests something much more serious. Based on discussion in the Committee on 11/30/23, and based on the substitute text adopted by the committee, it is now clear that this legislation is aimed at legislating broad Executive authority to strip US groups of their non-profit status, with virtually no limitations, accountability, or recourse. As such, this new legislation, if enacted into law, would  represent a powerful weapon to impose mass harm on the U.S. non-profit sector. And to be clear: while this legislation is being introduced/promoted as a means to target 501(c)(3) “Hamas-supporting charities,” if enacted into law it could be used against 501(c)(3)’s working on a wide range of issues disfavored by the Administration in power. Passed by the House Ways & Means Committee 11/30/23 by a vote of 41 – 0. For details see the 12/1/23 edition of the Round-Up.

 

2. Letters

In name of supporting Israel and/or fighting antisemitism, Targeting Free Speech, Protest, Academia, Journalism. & Red Cross

  • 12/19/23: Free Beacon – ‘Profoundly Irresponsible’: Cruz Demands Answers [from Education Secretary Cardona] on Teachers’ Union’s Anti-Semitic ‘Teach-In’ [letter text] – “I write to you to express my deep concern regarding the December 6, 2023 ‘teach-in’ conducted by at least seventy K-12 public school teachers in Oakland, California. As you are undoubtedly aware, this unauthorized effort to disseminate ‘educational resources on Palestine’ was organized by an activist faction within the Oakland Education Association Teachers’ Union and the event showcased pervasive anti-Israel hatred. Given that the Oakland Unified School District receives tens of millions of dollars in federal aid annually, this activity raises serious questions regarding the prudent use of federal taxpayer resources.”
  • 12/18/23: @EdWorkforceCmte Slams Cardona for Failing to Protect Jewish Students [letter text] — from the press release – “Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and all 24 Committee Republicans sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona blasting the Department’s decision to delay rulemaking under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 originally expected this month amidst a national crisis of campus antisemitism. The rulemaking would protect Jewish students by implementing President Trump’s December 2019 Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism. (emphasis added)”  Reminder: Trump’s Executive Order would endorce the IHRA definition of antisemitism – including its examples conflating almost any/all meaningful criticism or protest of Israeli policies/Zionism with antisemitism – on US campuses. Also see:  House Republicans press Education Secretary over efforts to combat antisemitism (Jewish Insider 12/19/23)

Concern about What Israel/Israelis is/are Doing to Palestinians

Support for Israel & Hostages

Using Oct 7 as Hook for Bigger Issues

  • 12/19/23: Ernst, Stefanik Prevent U.S. Tech from Equipping CCP Spyware [letter text] — “The U.S. Department of Defense should not be recommending approval of export control licenses for U.S. technology that advances DJI’s capabilities, which are actively being leveraged by our adversaries in attacks against our allies and partners, from Eastern Europe to Israel. In addition to aiding CCP’s in the brutal oppression of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang, DJI drones have been exported to America’s adversaries for military purposes, in violation of U.S. export laws and sanctions. Most recently, open-source reporting has shown that on October 7, 2023, Hamas used DJI drones to disable Israeli surveillance systems and drop munitions on Israeli forces on the Gaza border…“

Targeting Iran

 

3. Hearings & Markups

None.

 

4. Selected Media & Press releases/statements

Politics
Israel/Palestine & War on Gaza
Iran

1.Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New from FMEP

 

1. Bills, Resolutions & letters

MORE US Aid/Support/Cooperation for Israel & More

  • (FY23 NDAA) HR 2670: Passed in the Senate 12/13/23 and in the House 12/14/23, and presented to the President 12/14/23. As covered in detail in last week’s Round-Up, this bill includes extensive funding for Israel as well as far-reaching provisions/funding related to US-Israel programs/R&D/cooperation/military supplies/etc, Iran, normalization, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, etc. Notably, it also includes a provision targeting companies that boycott either Israel OR settlements (Section 1258). For full details see last week’s Round-Up.

Some Degree of Concern for Palestinians/Israeli Behavior

  • (HOLDING ISRAEL ACCOUNTABLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES) S. Res. 504: [bill text]: Introduced 12/14/23 by Sanders (I-VT), “Requesting information on Israel’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.” This is what is known as a “Privileged Resolution.” As Sanders’ press release explains: “The Foreign Assistance Act prohibits security assistance to any government ‘which engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.’ Section 502B(c) of this law allows Congress to request information on a country’s human rights practices – such requests are privileged, allowing the sponsor to force a floor vote on the requesting resolution. If the resolution passes, the Department of State must submit the requested report within 30 days, or all security assistance to the country in question is cut off. After the report is received, Congress may then enact changes to condition, reduce, or terminate the security assistance in question. Both the initial vote to request the information and any subsequent votes to alter security assistance are privileged and require a simple majority for passage.” [See this X-thread for details on Section 502B(c)].

Targeting Criticism of Israel/Free Speech/Academia/Media

  • (TARGETING FREE SPEECH SUPPORTIVE OF PALESTINIAN RIGHTS) S. Res. 497: Introduced 12/13/23 by Cotton (R-AR) and 17 cosponsors (all Republicans),  “A resolution to express the sense of the Senate that the slogan ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ and its derivations are antisemitic and a call for genocide and the destruction of the Jewish state.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: press release – Cotton, Colleagues Condemn “From the River to the Sea” Slogan as an Antisemitic Call for the Destruction of Israel [“‘People who invoke this disgraceful, antisemitic slogan are calling for the mass murder of Jews, whether they know it or not. On October 7, the world saw the genocidal intent of the phrase, ‘From the River to the Sea.’ No one who uses this phrase should escape condemnation,’” said Senator Cotton.”]
  • (USING HAMAS TO SLANDER/ATTACK/JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS) H. Res. 930: Introduced 12/12/23 by Wilson (R-SC) and Allen (R-GA), “Condemning the Cable News Network (CNN) for utilizing images from an imbedded photojournalist with prior knowledge of the October 7th attack on Israel.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – Wilson, Allen Introduce Resolution Condemning CNN for Complicity in Hamas Attack

Targeting Palestinians

  • (TARGETING UNRWA/PALESTINIAN AID, YET AGAIN) S. 3493: Introduced 12/13/23 by Hagerty (R-TN), Cruz (R-TX) and Braun (R-IN), “A bill to require certification prior to obligation of funds for United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Targeting Hamas

Other stuff

  • (TARGETING IRAN) S. 3527: Introduced 12/14/23 by Scott (R-FL) and Manchin (D-WV), “A bill to prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from engaging in transactions involving the exchange of Special Drawing Rights issued by the International Monetary Fund that are held by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • (DISAPPROVING OF MILITARY SALE TO KSA) S. J. Res.53: Introduced 12/11/23 by Paul (R-KY), “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of certain defense articles and services.”  Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

 

2. Letters

Some Degree of Concern for Palestinians/Palestinian Rights/Free Speech & Israeli Behavior

Targeting Criticism/Critics of Israel, Free Speech, Academia, Etc.

  • 12/13/23: Chairman Bost, House Republicans Grill VA over Antisemitic Video from VA Lawyer – “Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), released the following statement after he led a letter with 18 House Republicans to call on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough to hold VA attorney Ms. Shekeba Morrad accountable for the video she posted online mocking Israelis who are asking for the return of hostages taken by Hamas terrorists.” [letter text]
  • 12/11/23: Comer Probes Southern Poverty Law Center’s Influence Over Federal Employees [letter text] — “…the SPLC’s employees and representatives have demonstrated a pattern of engaging in violent demonstrations in support of leftist causes. In March of this year, an SPLC lawyer was arrested and charged with domestic terrorism pertaining to violence that broke out in Atlanta in relation to protests over a planned training facility for police officers.  More recently, several employees for the SPLC joined a statement which denounced Israel as an ‘apartheid state’ and blamed Israel for provoking Hamas’s terrorist attacks that killed 1,400 Israeli men, women, and children.”

Targeting Hamas

Iran

Other Stuff

 

3. Hearings & Markups

12/13/23: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a set of judicial nominees. Why, you may be asking, is this being covered in the Round-Up? Because one of those nominees is named Adeel Abdullah Mangi, and who if confirmed will be the first ever Muslim American to serve on federal circuit courts. But, you may be asking, what does that have to do with the issues covered in the Round-Up? The answer: because Mangi is Muslim, some members of the committee [Cotton, (R-AR), Kennedy, (R-LA), Cruz, (R-TX), Hawley (R-MO)] decided it was appropriate to interrogate him – indeed, at times browbeat him – on his views on Israel/Palestine, and in a manner that made clear that short of swearing fealty to the government of Israel, denouncing Islam, and singing Hatikvah, he was to be viewed as ipso facto antisemitic, anti-Israel, and pro-Hamas by virtue of his name/ethnicity/religion. I’m not going to go through all of the outrageous, absurd, obscenely racist and islamophobic questioning – feel free to check it out for yourself (video). I will share one absurd highlight that came in the context of questioning from Cotton (R-AR): “If pro-Hamas radicals went into a cake shop, say a Jewish vakery, and said ‘we want a cake on it that says Palestine Will Be Free From the River to the Sea’ and it had a dagger drawn through the Star of David, would that Jewish baker be compelled to bake that cake under your view of the law?” (video). Things go so nasty that towards the end of the hearing Chairman of the committee, Sen. Durbin (D-IL) actually broke in to read from a letter from the National Council of Jewish Women endorsing Mangi, and to apologize (weakly) for the Mangi was being treated by some Committee members: “I am sorry that you have been subjected to the suggestion that you are somehow anti-semitic or insensitive. This letter indicates those people who looked at your record feel just the opposite.”

12/13/23: The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a markup of various measures listed below. Also see: hearing video.

  • H.R. 5917, To amend the Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act to modify and extend that Act, and for other purposes. Discussion/grandstanding in committee around this bill starts at 1:08:13 in the video. ADOPTED/REPORTED OUT OF THE COMMITTEE FAVORABLY (BY VOICE VOTE).
  • H.R. 3016, To amend the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 to apply the provisions of that Act to international governmental organizations. NOTE: This is the 2023 version of the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, designed to target NON-COERCIVE policies of the EU and UN calling for boycotts of settlement products. As I summarized in an X-thread 12/12/23: “HR 3016 seeks to amend/expand current US anti-boycott law. That law is based on the idea of preventing US citizens from being **compelled or coerced** into boycotting Israel as a condition for doing business abroad. HR 3016, like previous versions of the IABA, seeks to extend this law to also cover US citizens who boycott Israel &/or settlements NOT because they are being compelled/coerced, but because it reflects their own values/political views, including support for intl law. Under HR 3016, anyone who violates or ‘abets’ what would be a ban on VOLUNTARY, VALUES-BASED decisions to boycott Israel or settlements, grounded in their own personal views &/or informed by respect for international law,— could face massive CRIMINAL/CIVIL PENALTIES. What do I mean by ‘massive CRIMINAL/CIVIL PENALTIES’? I mean up to $1 MILLION in fines or up to 20 YEARS IN PRISON. Think I’m exaggerating? Read the legislation that it HR 3016 would amend and understand: these penalties could be applied to any American who decides, say, that in protest of settler violence they want to boycott West Bank settlement products. Or hey, don’t take it from me — here’s the Jewish Insider’s article on the bill – “Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) are set to introduce legislation on Friday expanding U.S. anti-boycott laws to block U.S. companies and persons from participating in boycotts of U.S. allies by international governmental organizations, Jewish Insider has learned. Existing U.S. law bars U.S. companies and individuals from participating in boycotts of countries “friendly to the United States” organized by foreign countries or providing information that could facilitate those boycotts. It also requires them to report to the U.S. government when they are asked to comply with such boycotts. The new legislation will modify the law to encompass boycotts organized by international governmental organizations (IGOs), such as the United Nations and European Union. Although not specifically mentioned in the bill’s text, Lawler and Gottheimer said in statements that the change comes in response to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting Israel.” Debate/grandstanding in the committee on this bill starts are 1:13:14 in the video. Also see: US House Foreign Affairs Committee advances expansive anti-boycott legislation (Middle East Eye 12/14/23) ADOPTED/REPORTED OUT OF THE COMMITTEE FAVORABLY (BY A VOTE OF 42-3)
12/12/23: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a CLOSED TS/SCI briefing “Examining Iran & Its Proxy Threat to U.S. Policy and Personnel Post-October 7.” Briefers were: Under Secretary of State for Management John Bass; Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Barbara Leaf; and Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Brett Holmgren.

12/13/23: The House Financial Services Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, “Moving the Money Part 2: Getting Answers from the Biden Administration on the Iranian Regime’s Support of Terrorism (hearing memo).” Witnesses were: Assistant Secretary of State for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes Elizabeth Rosenberg (statement); and State Department Deputy Special Envoy to Iran Abram Paley, (statement).

12/12/23: The House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe held another “we-stand-against-antisemitism-but-only-when-what-we-mean-by-‘antisemitism’-is-criticism-of-Israel-and-especially-when-we-can-use-it-as-a-hook-for-normalizing-Islamophobia!” show-hearing entitled, Addressing the Scourge of Anti-Semitism in Europe.  Witnesses – representing a wide spectrum of views/groups that are in total agreement when it comes to the imperative of conflating criticism of Israel/rejection of Zionism with antisemitism, and enforcing policies/laws designed to focus explicitly on suppressing and eradicating this supposed antisemitism — were: Elan Carr, former Trump officials and now head of the Israeli-American Council (statement); Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Simon Wiesenthal Center/U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (statement); Matthew Levitt, WINEP (statement); and Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, American Jewish Committee Europe (statement). Also see: hearing video;

12/12/23: The House Financial Services Committee’s National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommitee held a hearing entitled, Resticting Rogue-State Revenue: Strengthening Energy Sanctions on Russia, Iran, and Venezuela (hearing memo). Witnesses were: Marshall Billingslea, Hudson Institute (statement); Anna Mikulska, Kleiman Center for Energy Policy at University of Pennsylvania (statement); Ryan Berg, CSIS (statement); Claire Jungman, United Against Nuclear Iran (statement); and Adam Smith, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (statement). Also see: hearing video; opening statement from ranking Member Waters (D-CA)

 

4. Selected Media & Press releases/statements

Politics

Aid/Weapons for Israel

Targeting Critics/Criticism of Israel/Free Speech/Academia

Other stuff

The War on Gaza

 

1.Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

NOTE: For the foreseeable future, given the scope and pace of current events & related noise and actions coming from the Hill, there will continue to be no comprehensive “On the Record” in the Round-Up (use google or check members’ websites to see what a specific members is saying) and an abbreviated/selective Media section. Likewise, I’ll continue to cover all letters I find, but in most cases I’m just giving links and maybe an excerpt (apologies to anyone who misses the analysis and occasional snark). Let us all hope that the time will soon return when the horror-show of events on the ground ends and the Round-Up can return to systematically reporting on the full gamut of “normal” Middle East-related grandstanding on and from the Hill.

New:

 

1. Bills, Resolutions & letters

Conflating Criticism of Israel/Zionism with Antisemitism

  • (INVOKE IHRA DEFINITION; ANTI-ZIONISM & SUPPORT FOR PALESTINIANS = ANTISEMITISM!) H. Res. 894: Introduced 11/28/23 by Kustoff (R-TN) and Miller (R-OH), “Strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world.” Referred to the Committees on the Judiciary and on Foreign Affairs. Excerpts: “Whereas the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism is widely accepted and serves as a critical tool to help individuals comprehend and identify the various manifestations of antisemitism” and “Whereas the slogan ‘From the River to the Sea’, which is a rallying cry for the eradication of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, has been used by anti-Israel protesters in the United States and globally” and from the resolve clauses, the House “clearly and firmly states that anti-Zionism is antisemitism.” Passed by the House 12/5/23 by a vote of 311-14 with 92 voting “present”

Also see:

    • Floor statements/grandstanding around H. Res. 894, including Nadler (D-NY) on H. Res. 894: “...the resolution implicitly compares some peaceful protesters with the January 6 rioters and insurrectionists. I suppose they have their reasons for that. More problematically, the resolution suggests that all anti-Zionism–it states that all anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism. That is either intellectually disingenuous or just factually wrong. It unfairly implicates many of my orthodox former constituents in Brooklyn, many of whose families rose from the ashes of the Holocaust. While most anti-Zionism is indeed anti-Semitic, the authors, if they were at all familiar with Jewish history and culture, should know about Jewish anti-Zionism that was and is expressly not anti-Semitic. This resolution ignores the fact that even today certain orthodox Hasidic Jewish communities–the Satmars in New York and others–as well as adherents of the pre-state Jewish labor movement have held views that are at odds with the modern Zionist conception. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, `the anti-Zionist world-view of the ultra-Orthodox groups… ‘ like the Satmar Hasidism ‘perceives Zionism and the establishment of the State of Israel as an anti-messianic act…’ That is to say that these ultra-orthodox Hasidic Jews believe that only the Messiah can bring about the true Israel, and I assure you the Satmar Hasidic Jews are certainly not antisemitic. I should also note that there are those who try to smear even progressive pro-Israel supporters with the inappropriate label of ‘Israel hater’ or ‘anti-Zionist.’ Under this resolution, those who love Israel deeply but criticize some of its policy approaches could be considered anti-Zionist. That could make every Democratic Jewish Member of this body–because they all criticized the recent Israeli judicial reform package–de facto anti-Semites. Might that be the authors’ intention? Again, let me be unequivocally clear, most anti-Zionism, particularly in this moment, has a real antisemitism problem, but we cannot fairly say that one equals the other…“
    • House to vote on antisemitism resolution declaring anti-Zionism is antisemitic -The resolution, sponsored by two Jewish Republicans, is likely to split progressive Democrats (Jewish Insider 12/4/23); US House to pass another resolution conflating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism (Middle East Monitor 12/5/23); A House resolution denounces antisemitism. Here’s why some Jewish members voted ‘present’ (The Forward 12/5/23); With 92 Democrats voting ‘present,’ House calls anti-Zionism Jew-hatred (Jewish News Syndicate 12/5/23)
  • (NEW BIPARTISAN MCARTHY-IST COMMITTEE TARGETING CRITICS OF ISRAEL) HR 6578 (bill text): Introduced 12/4/23 by Miller Meeks (R-IA) and 24 cosponsors (including 4 Democrats), “To establish the Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism in the United States,” aka, the “Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism in the United States Act.” The commission would be set up to: “(1) investigate the facts and causes of antisemitism in the present day; (2) examine and evaluate evidence developed by relevant Federal, State, and local governments regarding the facts and circumstances of antisemitic attacks within the United States, except that such examination and evaluation shall not interfere with ongoing law enforcement activities and investigations; and (3) report to the President and Congress regarding its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for legislation or administrative actions as the Commission considers appropriate.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Some notable features of this legislation that should raise alarms & other things of note:

    • The bill would create a new Congressional body that would have broad subpoena authority to compel Americans to testify and produce “evidence” related to the committee’s mission.
    • Under this bill, those called to testify cannot plead the 5th – that is, they are legally required to engage in self-incrimination.
    • Under this bill, every member of the Commission – each of whom, once appointed, serves for the life of the committee – has the full authority to do everything the committee is authorized to do.
    • The bill doesn’t mention the IHRA definition of antisemitism, but instead copies-and-pastes the IHRA definition of antisemitism, without listing its examples. Given that many/most cosponsors of the bill are on the record backing the IHRA definition (including its Israel-focused examples), and the bill’s organizational backers have made universal adoption/enforcement of the IHRA (including its examples) a centerpiece of their activities, it is fair to read the bill as embracing both the IHRA definition and its examples. The fact that the IHRA (incl examples) is central to this effort is also clear from intent behind this bill, which is focused exclusively on targeting criticism of Israel and Zionism. This intent is evident in the “whereas” clauses, which are 100% about Oct 7 and its aftermath, and in the press release accompanying the bill. The agenda behind this bill is also clear from the fact that nothing like this was introduced during the Trump era or since to deal with surging antisemitism in the form of open activities by white supremacists and literal NAZIS in the US.
    • All of the above make clear that this bill is an effort to create a current day version of the infamous “House Un-American Activities Committee” that is widely associated with McCarthyism – focused not on “subversive” activities of Americans and American universities and other bodies, but instead on alleged “antisemitism.”
    • AIPAC is backing this bill (no surprise). So is the ADL! Yes, for the sake of suppressing criticism of Israel, the ADL is backing a 2023 version of the McCarthyist witch hunt that destroyed the lives of countless Jewish Americans. Take that in.
  • (CONFLATING CRITICISM OF ISRAEL WITH ANTISEMITISM BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT OF OTHER BILLS) H. Res. 907:  Introduced 12/4/23 by Nadler (D-NY) and two cosponsors (Raskin, D-MD, and Goldman, D-NY), “To condemn the rise in antisemitism, call on all Americans to combat antisemitism in the United States, and implement aspects of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. NOTE: this appears to be Nadler’s response to H. Res. 894 (see above for an excerpt from his floor statement opposing that resolution). Also see: press release – NADLER, GOLDMAN, RASKIN LEAD RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ANTISEMITISM & CALL FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE U.S. NATIONAL STRATEGY TO COUNTER ANTISEMITISM

Aid for & Cooperation with Israel

(EMERGENCY AID FOR ISRAEL – SENATE VERSION) HR 815: On 12/5/23, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee released the Senate’s version of the FY23 Supplemental aid package (see: press release; summary of the aid package; text of the legislation). As is often the case, this Senate effort involves a totally unrelated House bill – in this case HR 815, the “Removing Extraneous Loopholes Insuring Every Veteran Emergency Act” or the “RELIEVE Act” – the text of which the Senate will delete in its entirety and replace with the text of the Senate’s supplemental aid package.  On 12/6/23, Senate Democrats attempted to bring the supplemental package (via HR 815) up for consideration on the Senate floor, but were blocked by a vote of 49-51, with all Senate Republicans and Sanders (I-VT) voting “no.”On 12/7/23, Senators Van Hollen (D-MD), Durbin (D-IL), Kaine (D-VA), Schatz (D-HI), Warren (D-MA), Merkley (D-OR), Welch (D-VT), Heinrich (D-NM), Carper (D-DE), Luján (D-NM),  Sanders (I-VT), Hirono (D-HI), and Markey (D-MA) annnounced they would be offer an amendment to require that the use of supplemental aid (to everyone getting it in the bill)  comply with U.S. and international law. That amendment (as summarized by its sponsors),  “1. Requires that the weapons received by any country under this bill are used in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict. 2. Requires that the president obtain assurances that any country receiving weapons through this bill cooperate fully with U.S.-supported efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, subject to a presidential waiver.  3. Requires that the president report to the Congress within 30 days on whether each country receiving U.S. security assistance through this bill is: Using U.S.-funded military equipment in accordance with: Their intended purposes and U.S. end-use monitoring programs; international humanitarian law, the law of armed conflict, and U.S. law; the President’s 2023 Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy and the Defense Department’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP); Fully cooperating with U.S. efforts and U.S.-supported international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians; 4. Clarifies that these provisions do not apply to funds for air defense systems or other systems that the president determines will be used for strictly defensive purposes.”

NOTE: Given the clusterf*** that characterizes the House these days, there is a very good chance that this bill will go nowhere.

What’s in the Senate Supplemental Aid Package?

The bill provides the following for Israel and the Middle East. Woven into this list is helpful analysis from a thread posted on X by POMED’s Seth Binder on 12/6/23:

A. Funding for Israel (total: just under $14 billion)

  • up to $4.4 billion, which “may be transferred to accounts under the headings ‘Operation and Maintenance’, ‘Procurement’, and ‘Revolving and Management Funds’ for replacement, through new procurement or repair of existing unserviceable equipment, of defense articles from the stocks of the Department of Defense, and for reimbursement for defense services of the Department of Defense and military education and training, provided to or identified for provision to the government of Israel or to foreign countries that have provided support to Israel at the request of the United States…“
  • $810.4 million, from “Procurement of Ammunition, Army” “to respond to the situation in Israel and for related expenses“
  • $4 billion, from ‘‘Procurement, Defense-Wide’’ “for the Secretary of Defense to provide to the government of Israel for the procurement of the Iron Dome and David’s Sling defense systems to counter short-range rocket threats: Provided further, That funds in the preceding proviso shall be transferred pursuant to an exchange of letters and are in addition to funds provided pursuant to the U.S.-Israel Iron Dome Procurement Agreement, as amended...”
  • $1.2 billion from ‘‘Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Defense-Wide’’ “for the Secretary of Defense to provide to the government of Israel for the development of the Iron Beam defense system to counter short-range rocket threats“. Per POMED’s Seth Binder – “It would provide $1.2 billion for research and development for the Iron Beam, a not-yet operational laser system. In comparison, in the first decade of support for the Iron Dome from 2011-2021, the US provided $1.6 billion. (related article – What is Israel’s Iron Beam?)”
  • $3.5 billion from ‘‘Foreign Military Financing Program’’ “…available for advanced weapons systems, of which up to $3,500,000,000 may be available for the procurement in Israel of defense articles and defense services” [as in, all of it can be spent on procurement in Israel, rather than in the US, as is normally required by law – as noted by POMED’s Seth Binder – “The entire $3.5 billion in Foreign Military Financing for Israel could be used to purchase arms from Israel’s domestic industry, known as Off-Shore Procurement. Previously no more that 30% of FMF could be used for OSP & the current MOU intentionally phases out this privilege.” ]. Also: “Provided further, That any congressional notification requirement applicable to funds made available under this heading in this Act for Israel may be waived if the Secretary of State determines that to do so is in the national security interest of the United States” [again, per POMED’s Seth Binder – “There are ZERO reporting requirements for any of the military aid for Israel in the bill, in stark contrast to the oversight applied to aid to Ukraine. In fact, it would give the Secretary of State the option to waive normal congressional notifications on FMF“]

B. Other goodies for Israel – US War Stockpiles!

  • Section 505: “Section 12001 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2005 (Public Law 108–287), as amended by Public Law 115–141, is amended as follows: (1) In paragraph (2) of subsection (a), by striking ‘‘armor’’ and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting ‘‘defense articles that are in the inventory of the Department of Defense as of the date of transfer, are intended for use as reserve stocks for Israel, and are located in a stockpile for Israel as of the date of transfer’’. (2) In subsection (b), by striking ‘‘at least equal to the fair market value of the items transferred’’ and inserting ‘‘in an amount to be determined by the Secretary of Defense’’. (3) In subsection (c), by inserting before the comma in the first sentence the following: ‘‘, or as far in advance of such transfer as is practicable as determined by the President on a case-by-case basis during extraordinary circumstances impacting the national security of the United States’’. Per POMED’s Seth Binder: “It would change the law to allow the Secretary of Defense to ‘determine’ the cost to Israel of any arms it uses from the War Reserve Stockpile rather than requiring the US to charge the ‘fair market value.‘”]
  • Section 506: “For fiscal year 2024, section 514(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h(b)) shall not apply to defense articles to be set aside, earmarked, reserved, or intended for use as reserve stocks in stockpiles in the State of Israel.” Per POMED’s Seth Binder: “It would remove the $200 million cap on how much arms the US could put in the War Reserve Stockpile in Israel for Fiscal Year 2024, allowing DOD to restock as much as it wants into Israel, without restriction, and then charge whatever it wants if Israel uses the equipment…This loophole would expand upon a 2021 law that allowed DOD to restock precision-guided munitions without limit and which Israel has reportedly already taken advantage of during this war. (related article – How Israel Got an Endless Supply of U.S.-Made Smart Bombs)“

C. Other things in the bill

  •  $100 million under ‘‘Diplomatic Programs’’-“to remain available until expended, shall be for Worldwide Security Protection, including to respond to the situation in Israel and areas impacted by the situation in Israel”
  • $39 million under “Funds Appropriated to the President,” under the category of ‘‘Operating Expenses,”  “to remain available until September 30, 2025, to respond to the situations in Israel and Ukraine and areas and countries impacted by the situations in Israel and Ukraine“
  • $25 million in Economic Support Funds for “reconciliation programs in the Middle East, including between Israelis and Palestinians“
  • $75 million under ‘‘International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement’’ “for assistance for countries in the Middle East, including for assistance for Jordan and Lebanon, including to enhance partner capacity related to border security and the security of United States diplomatic facilities, of which $10,000,000 shall be for programs to be administered by the Office of the United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (USSC), following consultation with the Committees on Appropriations: Provided further, That funds made available in the preceding proviso for programs administered by the USSC shall be the responsibility of the Chief of Mission, in consultation with the USSC“

Also see:

(US ECONOMIC SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL) S. Res. 445: Introduced 11/2/23 (not previously reported in the Round-Up — sorry!) by Blackburn (R-TN) and having 26 cospsonsors (bipartisan), “A resolution recognizing the importance of the economic relationship between the United States and Israel and affirming that trade facilitated by the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement is a tool to support the economy of Israel during the conflict with Hamas.” Passed by the Senate 12/6/23 by Unanimous Consent. Also see: press release –Blackburn, Cortez Masto Resolution To Strengthen Economic Ties With Israel

Supporting Palestinians

  • (AFFIRMING THE STATE OF PALESTINE’S RIGHT TO EXIST) H. Res. 902: Introduced 12/1/23 by Green (D-TX) and no cosponsors, “Original Resolution Affirming the State of Palestine’s Right to Exist.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Using Israel as Hook to Get the US out of the UN

  • (US OUT OF UN!!!) HR 6645 & S. 3428 (bill text): Introduced 12/6/23 in the House by Roy (R-TX) and Rogers (R-AL), and in the Senate by Lee (R-UT), “To terminate membership by the United States in the United Nations, and for other purposes,” aka, the “Disengaging Entirely from the United Nations Debacle (DEFUND) Act.“ Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: press release — Senator Lee Introduces Act to Defund and Depart UN [Roy: “This year, the United Nations’ corruption, and its despicable, brazen political agenda have been on full display. From UNRWA actively protecting Hamas and acting against our ally Israel, delayed condemning Hamas, to China being elected to the ‘Human Rights Council,’ to the propagation of climate hysteria, covering for China’s forced abortion and sterilization programs, the UN’s decades-old, internal rot once again raises the questions of why the United States is even still a member or why we’re wasting billions — indeed, $12.5 billion in 2021 — every year on it. The UN doesn’t deserve one single dime of American taxpayer money or one bit of our support; we should defund it and leave immediately. I am proud to lead this critical effort alongside Mike Lee and Mike Rogers.” Also see one-page summary.

Targeting Hamas & Other Terror Orgs & (likely) All Palestinians or Supporters of Palestinians by Conflating Them With Hamas

  • (*LIKELY* – USING HAMAS ATTACKS TO BAN US VISAS FOR SUPPORTERS OF PALESTINIAN RIGHTS) HR 6679:  Introduced 12/7/23 by McClintock (R-CA), “To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to aliens who carried out, participated in, planned, financed, supported, or otherwise facilitated the attacks against Israel.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. NOTE: As of this writing text is yet available for HR 6679, but given that it is already barred under US law for people who carry out or materially support acts of terrorism to receive US visas (immigrant or tourist), it is likely that this legislation is seeking to in effect expand the meaning of “supported…attacks against Israel” to include public statements that are interpreted (in some cases correctly, in most cases cynically and inaccurately) as conveying approval of the attacks, or – as we’ve seen in the public narrative insisted on by the government of Israel and many of its defenders, including in Congress — as daring to suggest that there is any political context pre-October 7th that is relevant to understanding what happened on October 7th and its aftermath.
  • (CONDEMNING HAMAS) S. Res. 484 (resolution text):—Introduced 12/5/23 by Manchin (D-WV) and Collins (R-ME), “A resolution condemning the terrorist organization Hamas.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.  Excerpt: “Whereas the First Amendment does not provide the right to engage in defamation, or to threaten or incite violence in support of the ideology of terrorist organizations; Whereas there have been protests across the United States in support of Hamas in the wake of the ongoing conflict between Israel and terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip; Whereas the majority of protests have been peaceful assemblies in support of Israelis and Palestinians; Whereas a small minority of individuals has used the conflict to sow animosity and violence in support of terrorist groups such as Hamas;…Whereas terrorist organizations, acts of terrorism, and the misinformation perpetrated by terrorist organizations should never be defended or sympathized with…Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate…encourages respect for the right of individuals to peacefully assemble and practice their religion freely without perpetrating violence on others…”
  • (TARGETING TERRORIST FINANCING) HR 6588: Introduced 12/5/23 by De La Cruz (R-TX, “To require the Secretary of the Treasury to assess whether international financial institutions, such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund, are sufficiently focused on preventing terrorist financing.” Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. Also see: press release – Bills to Fight Terrorism Introduced by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz

Targeting Iran

  • (TO APPLY FOREIGN-DIRECT RULES TO IRAN) HR 6603: Introduced 12/5/23 by Moran (R-TX) and McCaul (R-TX), “To apply foreign-direct product rules to Iran,” aka, the “No Technology for Terror Act.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – Moran, McCaul Introduce No Technology for Terror Act

Supporting Americans Targeted by Hamas or Others

  • (HELP FAMILIES OF AMERICANS DETAINED ABROAD) HR 6669 (bill text):  Introduced 12/7/23 by Hill (R-AR) and Stevens (D-MI), “To provide resources for United States nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – REP. HILL INTRODUCES BILL TO ASSIST THE FAMILIES OF AMERICANS WRONGFULLY DETAINED [Stevens: “This legislation significantly reduces the financial hardships associated with traveling to Washington to advocate for and learn about the status of loved ones across many channels of government. I am grateful to work with Rep. French Hill to introduce this legislation — we will keep pushing until each and every American wrongfully detained is home safe.”]
  • (WAIVE COSTS TO US CITIZENS EVACUATIONS RELATED TO HAMAS ETC) HR 6553: Introduced 12/1/23 by Magaziner (D-RI) and 14 cosponsors (bipartisan), “To require the waiver of costs of activities relating to the evacuation of United States citizens endangered by acts of terrorism or war in Israel instigated by Hamas and other Islamist militant groups.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Other stuff

The FY23 NDAA

(FY23 NDAA) HR 2670: This week  House and Senate negotiators came to an agreement on text for the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (see conference report – 3093 pages). And given the challenge of passing any major legislation in this Congress, it should come as no surprise that the NDAA (which is viewed as must-pass legislation) was transformed as a vehicle for a number of other authorization bills. In total it comprises: Department of Defense Authorizations, Military Construction Authorizations, Department of Energy Ntional Security Authorizations and Other Authorizations, Department of State Authorization Act of 2023, and Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. Key Israel/Middle East-related provisions of the bill (spread across the various agency authorizations it contains) are listed below. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week but, given the clusterf*** that characterizes the House these days, there is still a very good chance that this bill will go nowhere. Also see: House and Senate release finalized 2024 NDAA compromise bill (Jewish Insider 10/7/23)

  • (IRAN) Section 351. Assessment and strategy relating to hardening of certain military installations against attack by Iran and Iranian-associated groups.
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1211. Requirement for military exercises. – requirement that Israel be invited to participate and that exercises “seek to enhance the interoperability and effectiveness of the United States Armed Forces, the armed forces of Israel, and the armed forces of other allies and partners of the United States in coalition operations…” including “practicing the aerial refueling of combat aircraft of the armed forces of Israel by United States aerial refueling aircraft” and “practicing the provision by the United States Armed Forces of other enabling capabilities to the armed forces of Israel, including—(i) logistics support; (ii) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and (iii) air defense…”
  • (YEMEN) Section 1227. Extension of prohibition on in-flight refueling to non-United States aircraft that engage in hostilities in the ongoing civil war in Yemen
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1242. Extension and modification of certain temporary authorizations related to munitions replacement – to authorize the giving of additional (and larger) munitions to Israel and Taiwan, and to exempt these munitions from normal cost requirements, at the sole discretion of the Secretary of Defense
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1251. Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program – requiring a report a report “on the feasibility and advisability of including Israel in observer status in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT).”
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1252. Extension of United States-Israel anti-tunnel cooperation – extending the existing program through December 31, 2026
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1253. Improvements relating to United States-Israel cooperation to counter unmanned aerial systems – increasing funding for this program from $40 million to $55 million.
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1254. Modification of authority for cooperation on directed energy capabilities – authorizing the program and requiring an extensive report.
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1255. Ensuring peace through strength in Israel – amending US law regarding weapons stockpiles to extend approval for Israel to access amounts of weapons in US stockpiles in excess of legal restrictions; requiring an extensive report designed to ensure that Israel has accesses to large amounts of precision-guided munitions (PGMs) via US stockpiles; requiring a report “to details the actions being taken by the United States to pre-position, increase, stockpile, address shortfalls, and otherwise ensure that the War Reserves Stock Allies-Israel has, and assist Israel in ensuring that Israel has, sufficient quantities and types of munitions, including precision-guided munitions…”
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1256. Assistance to Israel for aerial refueling – including training the Israeli Air Force on the operation and maintenance of KC–46 aircraft and providing an assessment to Congress of how soon the US can provide KC-46 aircraft to Israel. Also requires that “The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall consult with the Government of Israel to determine the advisability and practicality of the Government of Israel hosting rotational deployments of United States KC–46 aircraft to Israel”
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1257. Rules governing transfer of aerial refueling tankers to Israel. Authorizes the President via the Secretary of Defense to “transfer to Israel one or more retired United States aerial refueling tankers, any United States aerial refueling tanker that the Secretary of Defense plans to retire during the two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, or any other United States aerial refueling tanker the President considers appropriate…”
  • (TARGETING BOYCOTTS OF ISRAEL/SETTLEMENTS) Section 1258. Report — (a) REPORT. (1) IN GENERAL .—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on whether any products sold at commissary or exchange stores in fiscal years 2021 or 2022 were produced by companies described in paragraph (2) that have participated in a boycott action against the State of Israel. (2) COMPANIES DESCRIBED .—The companies described in this paragraph are companies that have entered into a contract with the Department of Defense to sell products described in paragraph (1) the total value of which exceeds $10,000,000. (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS .—Congress is concerned about the antisemitic efforts of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against the State of Israel, including its efforts to delegitimize, isolate, and ultimately destroy the Jewish state. (c) DEFINITION .—In subsection (a), the term ‘‘boycott action against the State of Israel’’ means engaging in a boycott action targeting the State of Israel, companies or individuals doing business in or with the State of Israel, or companies authorized by, licensed by, or organized under the laws of the State of Israel to do business.” [NOTE: this convoluted definition of “boycott action against the State of Israel” — which as written would include, for example, an Israeli company manufacturing products in China or Russia — is engineered to include boycotts of settlement products]
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1261. Middle East integrated maritime domain awareness and interdiction capability – “The Secretary of Defense, using existing authorities, shall seek to build upon the incorporation of Israel into the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command to develop a Middle East integrated maritime domain awareness and interdiction capability…” Report must include: “A description of progress made in advancing the integration of Israel into the existing multilateral maritime partnerships..”
  • (SYRIA) Section 1262. Modification of establishment of coordinator for detained ISIS members and relevant populations in Syria.
  • (SYRIA & IRAQ) Section 1263. Extension and modification of authority to provide assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
  • (SYRIA) Section 1264. Extension and modification of authority to provide assistance to vetted Syrian groups and individuals.
  • (IRAQ) Section 1265. Extension of authority to support operations and activities of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq.
  • (IRAQ) Section 1266. Plan of action to equip and train Iraqi security forces and Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
  • (IRAQ) Section 1267. Prohibition on transfers to the Badr Organization.
  • (IRAN) Section 1268. Extension and modification of annual report on military power of Iran.
  • (IRAN) Section 1269. Modification and update to report on military capabilities of Iran and related activities.
  • (IRAN) Section 1270. Prohibition on funds to Iran.
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1411. Improvements to Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act.
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1412. Authority to dispose of materials from the National Defense Stockpile.
  • (ISRAEL) Section 1665. Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system and Israeli cooperative missile defense program co-development and co-production – providing: up to $80 million for Iron Dome; up to $40 million for David’s Sling Weapon System; up to $80 million for the Arrow 3 Upper Tier Interceptor Program [note: the table at the end of the bill notes that the bill provides $300 million total for Israeli Cooperative Programs]
  • (ISRAEL/ABRAHAM ACCORDS) Section 6407. Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, Negev Forum, and Related Integration and Normalization Fora and Agreements – a lengthy new section of law that establishes “within the Department of State the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, Negev Forum, and Related Integration and Normalization Fora and Agreements” appointed by the President with the rank of Ambassador with a broad mandate and authority to promote normalization and “regional integration”
  • (ISRAEL/HOSTAGES) Section 6409. Resources for United States nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad – legislating “For the purpose of facilitating meetings between the United States Government and the family members of United States nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, the Secretary shall provide financial assistance to cover the costs of travel to and from Washington, D.C., including travel by air, train, bus, or other transit as appropriate…” Also covers lodging and other expenses.
  • (ISRAEL/ABRAHAM ACCORDS) Section 7338. Assessment by Director of Central Intelligence Agency on certain effects of Abraham Accords – requires “an assessment of the current effects on the intelligence community of the agreements between Israel and 4 other foreign countries, collectively known as the Abraham Accords, and of the potential effects on the intelligence community if the Abraham Accords were to be expanded to additional foreign countries…”
  • (CHINA IN THE MIDDLE EAST) Section 7336. Central Intelligence Agency intelligence assessment with respect to efforts by People’s Republic of China to increase influence in Middle East.
  • (IRAN) Section 7413. Monitoring Iranian enrichment of uranium-235.
  • Conferee notes at the end of the Report include: “The conferees strongly condemn the horrific October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists. The conferees affirm that since 1948, Israel has been one of the strongest friends and allies of the United States. The conferees further affirm that Israel is a stable, democratic country in a region historically and currently marred by turmoil. The conferees further affirm that for these reasons it is essential to the strategic interest of the United States to continue to provide full security assistance and related support to Israel. The conferees further affirm that such assistance and support is especially vital as Israel confronts a number of present and potential challenges, including threats from Hamas terrorists, Iran, and Iranian-linked groups.“

 

2. Letters

Slandering (and Endangering) the Media

  • 12/7/23: Rep. Clyde Demands Answers [from CNN, NYT, AP, & Reuters) on Photojournalists Present During Hamas Terrorist Attack (letter text) – “We write to express grave concern over reports that freelance photojournalists working for your organizations were present at the scene of Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Their early morning presence at the breached border raises serious ethical questions about whether they had advance knowledge of Hamas’ plan and not only failed to alert authorities, but even joined the attackers, as evidenced by photographs purportedly showing a photojournalist wielding weapons alongside terrorists. This potentially implicates them as accomplices in war crimes and crimes against humanity in violation of international law and human rights conventions.“

Supporting Israel & Israeli (and Israeli-American) Hostages

Oversight over Israeli’s Operations & Use of US Weapons & Ceasefire

  • 12/5/23: Sanders Sends Dear Colleague Letter Expressing Serious Concerns Over $110.5 Billion Foreign Aid Bill Ahead of Wednesday Vote (letter text) — “…At a time when some 16,000 Palestinians have been killed in the last two months, two thirds of whom are women and children, and more than 40,000 have been injured. At a time when some 1.9 million people have been displaced from their homes and are struggling every day to get the food, water, medical supplies, and fuel they need to survive. At a time when almost half the housing units in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed and when many schools and medical facilities have been wrecked. At a time when over 260 people have been killed by Israeli security forces and settlers in the West Bank since October 7th, and more than a thousand Palestinians have been driven off their land there.  No, I do not think we should be appropriating $10.1 billion for the right-wing, extremist Netanyahu government to continue its current military strategy. What the Netanyahu government is doing is immoral, it is in violation of international law, and the United States should not be complicit in those actions…”
  • 12/5/23: Escobar, Houlahan, Moulton Lead Letter to President Biden on Israel’s Current Military Operation (letter text) – “...We believe that lasting peace will only be realized when both Israelis and Palestinians have security, prosperity, and self-determination. We must stand firm in our democratic commitment to upholding human rights and ensure we conduct ourselves accordingly. These commitments are especially important for lethal aid provision and are directly reflective of our nation’s credibility on the world stage. We ask you to continue to seek public assurances that Israeli operations abide by the laws of armed conflict, respect international law, and actively seek to minimize civilian deaths. Use of U.S.-provided systems and equipment must also abide by U.S. and international law. We believe the execution of these priorities and their public elevation are key in combating support for Hamas and other terrorist groups. This effort goes hand in hand with urging both Israeli officials and the Palestinian Authority to commit to protecting and stopping violent acts against civilians in Jerusalem and the West Bank. We respectfully request a briefing to our committees on your assessment of the likelihood of success of Israel’s current military strategy. We ask this briefing address Israel’s publicly outlined mission, current operational and political effectiveness of Hamas, readiness of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as well as impacts to ongoing hostage release efforts and the civilian population. We must also understand how current strategy will impact the political and diplomatic framework to establish a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, the only path to lasting peace. Furthermore, we request an assessment of how Israel and the United States are addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Congress must ensure defensive aid to our ally is provided in tandem with the necessary humanitarian supplies to mitigate the already catastrophic impacts to civilians. We must ensure the continued and consistent supply of food, medical supplies, fuel, and restoration of critical utilities to sustain humanitarian response efforts. Secure aid delivery to Palestinian civilians is critical, and we must understand how we may bolster successful aid distribution as Israel’s offensive continues and Hamas continues to intentionally accept civilian risk, injuries, and deaths.”

Targeting Free Speech/Activism/Criticism of Israel

  • 12/7/23: Reschenthaler Leads Call for Termination of Penn President Liz Magill (letter text) — letter signed by 6 Republican House members from Pennsylvania: “…as members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation, we urge you and the Board of Trustees to relieve President Magill of her duties as president of the university…she has shown the university and the entire world that she is either incapable or unwilling to combat antisemitism on the university’s campus and take care of its student body. As such, we respectfully call on you to relieve President Magill of her duties as president to protect the lives of Jewish American students at the University of Pennsylvania.” [Her sins: allowing the Palestine Writes Literature festival to take place; failing to shut down campus free speech in support of Palestinian rights after 10/7/23; failing to adequately demonize/delegitimize campus free speech during her appearance in a Senate show-hearing this week]
  • 12/7/23: House E&C, Senate Commerce Republicans Question Eventbrite over Seemingly Inconsistent Enforcement of Community Guidelines (letter text) — excerpt from list of questions for which the letter demands answers: “…(6) Why are pro-Hamas and antisemitic events allowed on Eventbrite? (7) Does Eventbrite allow terrorist organizations to use Eventbrite to, among other things, organize? (8) What list do you use to identify terrorist organizations? a. If there is a conflict between the list you use and U.S. Government lists, how do you reconcile such a conflict? (9) Do pro-terrorist and antisemitic events and event speakers violate Eventbrite’s prohibition of content that would ‘discriminate against, harass, disparage, threaten, incite violence against, or otherwise target individuals or groups based on their actual or perceived race, ethnicity, religion, national origin.…’? (10) Please provide information on what metrics Eventbrite uses to enforce its Community Guidelines on selected issues such as terrorism and antisemitism. (11) How many flags or complaints did Eventbrite receive for the Gaines event versus the events described above promoting antisemitism and terrorism? Compare the timeline, processes, and approval authorities for Eventbrite’s review of these events.”
  • 12/5/23: Crapo, Risch, Cassidy Sound Alarm on Resurgence of BDS Movement Threatening Israel’s Right to Exist (letter text – to US Department of Labor) – “On October 8, the day after Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, killed 1,400 Israelis, and kidnapped at least 203 people, most of whom were civilians, anti-Israel activists flocked to rallies at college campuses across the United States where speakers and attendees openly celebrated these brutal attacks. We are deeply concerned that, in this environment of unrest, there is likely to be a resurgence in the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which will be used to economically harm and delegitimize the state of Israel…The American people must be confident that pension investors will not override the economic goals, or personal views, of beneficiaries to pursue their own political agenda. Therefore, in order to understand DOL’s approach to this potential problem, we request you answer the following questions, on a question-by-question basis, by January 2, 2024: 1. What effect does the Biden rule have on retirement plan  trustees/fiduciaries considering BDS (a factor unlikely to relate to benefitting plan beneficiaries) when evaluating potential investments? 2. What steps, if any, would DOL’s EBSA take to investigate complaints regarding BDS-informed investment strategies using teachers’ pensions? 3. Has DOL’s EBSA received any complaints regarding BDS-informed investment strategies using teachers’ pensions? If so, how many? And, from which university? 4. Does DOL plan to publish any proactive guidance or technical assistance to discourage trustees/fiduciaries from capitulating to the BDS movement and improperly imposing their own political viewpoints on plan beneficiaries? If so, when do you anticipate releasing such guidance or technical assistance?…” Also see Cassidy press release: “Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and 14 Republican colleagues raised concerns with the Biden administration over the resurgence of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement on college campuses to economically harm Israel and threaten Israel’s right to exist as a nation. Additionally, the senators raised the issue that Biden’s 2022 environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) rule could empower left-wing activists to insert BDS policies into retirement plans, politicizing Americans’ retirement savings with the intention of hurting Israel.” Also see:  Fifteen senators warn Biden’s ESG push could empower university activists to ‘weaponize’ Americans’ retirement plans as anti-Israel BDS movement gains traction on campuses (Daily Mail 12/5/23)
  • 12/4/23: Blackburn Requests Answers On Report That UNRWA Teacher Held Israeli Hostage (letter text) — “The United States will not be complicit in propping up Hamas’ terrorism, and this report further proves why deep change is necessary within UNRWA before we even consider providing another dollar to the agency. Additionally, it is deeply concerning that, despite the prevalence of these reports, the United Nations has seemingly done nothing to investigate or prevent the siphoning of UNRWA funding by terrorists. And UNRWA continues to double down on its claims that each subsequent, documented report is ‘unsubstantiated.’ By December 18, please provide answers to the following questions: 1. Was the captor referenced in Almog Boker’s report a current or former employee of UNRWA? 2. Has the alleged incident been thoroughly investigated by UNRWA? If yes, please describe that investigation and your findings in detail. If no, please state why not. 3. Has the alleged incident been thoroughly investigated by the UN? If yes, please describe that investigation and your findings in detail. If no, please state why not. 4. What is UNRWA’s process for ensuring their employees are not simultaneously working with Hamas or other terrorist organizations? Please provide specific details about how employees are screened for affiliations with terrorist organizations. 5. What is UNRWA’s process for ensuring that its facilities are not used to support terrorist activities? 6. The ‘2023-2024 U.S.-UNRWA Framework for Cooperation’ states that ‘UNRWA commits to take all possible measures to ensure funding provided by the United States to UNRWA does not provide assistance to, or otherwise support, terrorists or terrorist organizations.’ Please explain in detail what measures UNRWA is taking pursuant to the Framework to prevent the diversion of humanitarian assistance to terrorist organizations.  7. Has the UN investigated any prior reports about the potential links between UNRWA and terrorist organizations such as Hamas? If yes, please describe those investigations and your findings in detail. If no, please state why not. 8. What types of oversight does the UN provide over UNRWA? Please document the specific processes you have put into place to ensure UNRWA personnel, facilities, and resources are not used to support terrorists or terrorist organizations.“
  • 12/1/23: Rep. Morgan Luttrell Demands Accountability for VA Employee Mocking Israeli Hostages (letter text) – “We write to share our strong concerns regarding Shakeba Morrad, a United States Attorney at the Office of the General Counsel for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs who shared a video in which she displayed antisemitic behavior. We are requesting an immediate update on the investigation and any disciplinary actions taken.” From the Breitbart article: “In a snippet of the video, which was originally posted on her Instagram account, she says with a mocking voice, ‘We just want our hostages back, give us our 200 hostages!‘”

Targeting Iran/Iran Policy

 

3. Hearings & Markups

12/13/23: The House Financial Services Commitee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled, “Moving the Money Part 2: Getting Answers from the Biden Administration on the Iranian Regime’s Support of Terrorism (hearing memo).” Announced witnesses (so far) are: Elizabeth Rosenberg, Assistant Secretary of State for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes; and Abram Paley, State Department Deputy Special Envoy to Iran.

12/12/23: The House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe will hold a show-hearing entitled, Addressing the Scourge of Anti-Semitism in Europe.  Witnesses – representing a spectrum of views/orgs that are in total agreement when it comes to the imperative of conflating criticism of Israel/rejection of Zionism with antisemitism, and enforcing policies/laws designed to focus explicitly on suppressing and eradicating this supposed antisemitism — will be: Elan Carr, Israeli-American Council; Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Simon Wiesenthal Center/U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; Matthew Levitt, WINEP; and Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, American Jewish Committee Europe.

12/12/23: The House Financial Services Commitee’s National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommitee will hold a hearing entitled, Resticting Rogue-State Revenue: Strengthening Energy Sanctions on Russia, Iran, and Venezuela (hearing memo). Scheduled witnesses are Marshall Billingslea, Hudson Institute;  Anna Mikulska, Kleiman Center for Energy Policy at University of Pennsylvania; Ryan Berg, CSIS; Claire Jungman, Against Nuclear Iran; and Adam Smith, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Legislation to be considered in the context of that hearing:

  • HR 6605, the “Stop Terrorism and Illicit Finance Location Exploitation (STIFLE) Act of 2023”
  • HR ___, “Countering Cyber Crimes Act of 2023” [PDF]
  • HR 6588, the “International Financial Institution Counter Terrorism Accountability Act”
  • HR 6589, the “Prevent the Financing of Terrorism through the Drug Trade Act”
  • HR _______, the “Strengthening Financial Crimes Enforcement Act” [PDF]

12/6/23: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing entitled, “Transnational Repression: Authoritarians Targeting Dissenters Abroad.” Scheduled witnesses are: Christo Grozev, Investigative Journalist, Co-Founder, Bellingcat Productions (statement); Michael Abramowitz, Freedom House (statement); and Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, International Legal Counsel to Jimmy Lai (statement). Also see: hearing video

12/5/23: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a grandstanding anti-free speech extravaganze entitled, “Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism.” Witnesses were: Claudine Gay, President, Harvard University (statement);  Liz Magill, President, University of Pennsylvania (statement); Pamela Nadell, Professor of History and Jewish Studies, American University (statement); and Dr. Sally Kornbluth, President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (statement). Also see: Chairwoman Foxx’s (R-NC) opening statement; video of the hearing. NOTE: I’m not going to run down the details of this farce of a hearing – you can watch it for yourself and/or review the articles below. The bottom line is that the message of this hearing, from members of Congress, was that there is an expectation – indeed, a demand – that universities treat criticism of Israel and calls for Palestinian rights as a form of violent threats to Jewish students — and act accordingly to suppress and punish it, including changing campus free speech codes if necessary. None of the university presidents in any serious way pushed back on this framing, even as they (weakly) sought to defend themselves. And since the hearing, 2 of the 3 presidents have publicly walked back even their weak defenes of campus free speech (and at least one is reportedly going to be asked to resign — not for failing to defend students’ free speech but for failing to adequately demonize and attack it).

NOTE: On 12/7/23, in the wake of this travesty of a hearing, Chairwoman Foxx issued a press release redolent in its language and mission of the heady days of McCarthyism (see legislation covered in Section 1, above, for more on this): Foxx Announces Formal Investigation into Harvard, UPenn, and MIT — “The testimony we received earlier this week from Presidents Gay, Magill, and Kornbluth about the responses of Harvard, UPenn, and MIT to the rampant antisemitism displayed on their campuses by students and faculty was absolutely unacceptable. Committee members have deep concerns with their leadership and their failure to take steps to provide Jewish students the safe learning environment they are due under law. Given those institutional and personal failures, the Committee is opening a formal investigation into the learning environments at Harvard, UPenn, and MIT and their policies and disciplinary procedures. This investigation will include substantial document requests, and the Committee will not hesitate to utilize compulsory measures including subpoenas if a full response is not immediately forthcoming [emphasis added]. The disgusting targeting and harassment of Jewish students is not limited to these institutions, and other universities should expect investigations as well, as their litany of similar failures has not gone unnoticed.”

Also see:

 

4. Selected Media & Press releases/statements

Politics

Israel/Hamas/Gaza

Targeting Free Speech/Free Thought/Education/Protest

Other stuff

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

NOTE: For the foreseeable future, given the scope and pace of current events & related noise and actions coming from the Hill, there will continue to be no comprehensive “On the Record” in the Round-Up (use google or check members’ websites to see what a specific members is saying) and an abbreviated/selective Media section. Likewise, I’ll continue to cover all letters I find, but in most cases I’m just giving links and maybe an excerpt (apologies to anyone who misses the analysis and occasional snark). Let us all hope that the time will soon return when the horror-show of events on the ground ends and the Round-Up can return to systematically reporting on the full gamut of “normal” Middle East-related grandstanding on and from the Hill.

New:

 

1. Bills, Resolutions & letters

Standing with Israel, Hating Hamas, Conflating Criticism of Israel/Zionism with Antisemitism

  • (INVOKE IHRA DEFINITION; ANTI-ZIONISM & SUPPORT FOR PALESTINIANS = ANTISEMITISM!) H. Res. 894: Introduced 11/28/23 by Kustoff (R-TN) and Miller (R-OH), “Strongly condemning and denouncing the drastic rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world.” Referred to the Committees on the Judiciary and on Foreign Affairs. Excerpts: “Whereas the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism is widely accepted and serves as a critical tool to help individuals comprehend and identify the various manifestations of antisemitism” and “Whereas the slogan ‘From the River to the Sea’, which is a rallying cry for the eradication of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, has been used by anti-Israel protesters in the United States and globally” and from the resolve clauses, the House “clearly and firmly states that anti-Zionism is antisemitism.” Also see: press release – Kustoff, Miller Introduce Resolution to Condemn Antisemitism in the United States and Abroad
  • (CONDEMN HAMAS, DEMAND RELEASE OF HOSTAGES!) H. Res. 793: Introduced 10/17/23 by Stevens (D-MI) and 196 cosponsors, “Calling on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during October 2023 attack on Israel.” 11/28/23, passed by the House under suspension of the rules by a vote of 414-0. Also see: House floor grandstanding around this resolution.
  • (ASSERTING PALESTINIAN RIGHTS = ANTISEMITISM) H. Res. 888 (text): Introduced 11/21/23 by Lawler (R-NY) and having 27 cosponsors (25 Republicans plus Moskowitz, D-FL and Gottheimer, D-NY), “Reaffirming the State of Israel’s right to exist.” Notably, includes resolve clause that the House “recognizes that denying Israel’s right to exist is a form of antisemitism.“ Passed by the House 11/28/23 under suspension of the rules by a vote of 412 – 1, 1 Present. To get a sense of the real purpose of this resolution (i.e., attacking solidarity with and support for Palestinian rights as antisemitism), check out the grandstanding around the resolution on the House floor.
  • (DON’T MAKE AMERICANS EVACUATED FROM ISRAEL REPAY COSTS TO US GOVT) HR 6511 (bill text): Introduced 11/29/23 by Wilson (D-FL) and Gimenez (R-FL),  “To prohibit the United States from soliciting or accepting funds from United States citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States as a condition of their repatriation from Israel and other nations during the period of evacuation, as a result of the Hamas terrorist attacks, and for other purposes,” aka, the “Justifiable Use of Money for Peace Act,” aka, the “JUMP Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Also see: Wilson press release – Wilson, Gimenez Introduce JUMP Act to Waive Repayment Requirements for Americans Evacuated from Israel

Dude, Not Cool to Be Openly Racist Against Palestinians

Iran & Iran/Hamas/Israel

(FREEZE IRANIAN $$ IN PRISONER EXCHANGE DEAL) HR 5961: Introduced 10/16/23 by McCaul (R-TX) and having 34 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To freeze certain Iranian funds involved in the 2023 hostage deal between the United States and Iran, and for other purposes,” aka the “No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act.” On 11/29/23, the House passed H. Res. 891, providing for floor consideration of HR 5961 (and a couple of other bills), by a vote of 212 – 205, 1 Present. On 11/30/23, the House subsequently passed HR 5961 by a vote of 307 – 119, 1 Present. Prior to that final vote, during floor consideration/grandstanding around the bill (here) the House considered a number of amendments (adopting all but one), below. Also see: House Dems sabotage Biden’s Iran diplomacy (Responsible Statecraft 12/1/23)

  • H. Amdt. 814, offered by Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), “to add a Sense of Congress that the Iranian regime should receive no additional funds but that basic humanitarian assistance for the people of Iran is important.” Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H. Amdt. 815, offered by Gottheimer (D-NJ), to correct the number of hostages being held by Hamas. Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H. Amdt. 813, offered by Fitzpatrick (R-A),  “to add findings that condemn Hamas and Iran-backed terror groups for using ‘human shields’ and that only the unconditional surrender of Hamas and other Iran-backed terror groups will save innocent civilian lives.” Agreed to by recorded vote: 412 – 11, 1 Present
  • H. Amdt. 816, offered by Ogles (R-TN), “to require a 45-day waiting period between Presidential certification and removal of sanctions to provide an opportunity for congressional oversight.”  Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H. Amdt. 817, offered by Ogles (R-TN), “to express a Sense of Congress that all US allies in the Middle East should publicly and unequivocally condemn the antisemitism displayed by Iranian-backed terror groups, including Hamas.”  Agreed to by recorded vote: 422 – 1, 1 Present
  • H. Amdt. 818, offered by Ogles (R-TN), “to prohibit the use of federal funds to make any funds (as such term is defined in section 2339C(e)(1) of title 18, United States Code) available to Iran.” Agreed to by recorded vote: 241 – 181, 1 Present
  • H. Amdt. 819, offered by Ogles (R-TN), “to express a Sense of Congress that Qatar should condemn Hamas, turn over Hamas leadership to US and Israeli custody, and pledge never to facilitate the transfer of covered Iranian funds to Iran.”  Agreed to by voice vote.
  •  H. Amdt. 820, offered by Ogles (R-TN), “to express the sense of Congress that the Houthis continue to benefit from the administration’s ‘failure to unequivocally condemn it.’“ Agreed to by recorded vote: 226 – 199, 1 Present
  • H. Amdt. 821, offered by Pfluger (R-TX), “to prohibit the president from exercising the waiver authority described in section 1245(d)(5) of the 2012 NDAA and sections 1244(i) and 1247(f) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012.” Agreed to by recorded vote: 231 – 198, 1 Present
  • H. Amdt. 822, offered by Porter (D-CA), “to require the president to report to Congress on its policy related to human rights, nuclear proliferation, the ballistic missile program, and regional terrorism in Iran.” Agreed to by recorded vote: 399 – 28, 1 Present
  • H. Amdt. 823, offered by Porter (D-CA), “to require the Treasury and State secretaries to report on Iranian internet censorship and applicable U.S. licensing requirements.”  Agreed to by voice vote.
  • H. Amdt. 824, offered by Jackson (D-IL), “An amendment numbered 12 printed in Part C of House Report 118-280 to sunset the measure after five years.”  Failed by recorded vote: 194 – 236, 1 Present

Targeting US NGOs

(TARGETING US NON-PROFITS THAT SUPPORT PALESTINIAN RIGHTS) HR 6408: Introduced 11/14/23 by Kustoff (R-TN) and Schneider (D-IL), “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations.” On 11/30/23, the House Ways & Means Committee marked up (video), amended (with an amendment in the nature of a substitute) and passed HR 6408 by a vote of 41-0.

  • As noted in the 11/17/23 edition of the Round-Up, US charitable organizations (*like all other US entities*) are already barred by law from providing material support for terror and already face intense scrutiny (for example, see the landmark Holy Land Foundation case). With this in mind, one must ask: what’s the real purpose of HR 6408? Some observers seem to assume that it is merely about virtue signaling and grandstanding, but careful reading of the text of HR 6408 (and the text of the bill as amended this week in Committee) strongly suggests something much more serious. Based on discussion in the Committee on 11/30/23, and based on the substitute text adopted by the committee, it is now clear that this legislation is aimed at legislating broad Executive authority to strip US groups of their non-profit status, with virtually no limitations, accountability, or recourse. As such, this new legislation, if enacted into law, would  represent a powerful weapon to impose mass harm on the U.S. non-profit sector. And to be clear: while this legislation is being introduced/promoted as a means to target 501(c)(3) “Hamas-supporting charities,” if enacted into law it could be used against 501(c)(3)’s working on a wide range of issues disfavored by the Administration in power.
  • Also see: Congress seeks to end tax-exempt status for Hamas-supporting charities (Jewish News Syndicate 11/15/23)
  • Also see House Ways & Means Committee documents: Description of H.R. 6408; Description of the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 6408 (Green Sheet)
  • Reminder: press release – Kustoff, Schneider Introduce Legislation to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status to Nonprofits Supporting Hamas.
  • Watch statements in support of the bill from Kustoff and Schneider during the committee mark-up (including Kustoff noting that HR 6408 has been endorsed by the Anti-Defamation League). Worth watching whole discussion to get a sense of how broadly Congress is leaning into demonizing the entire NGO sector and accusing it of widespread support for terrorism. Also see Schneider press release: Ways and Means Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status to Nonprofits Supporting Hamas and Terrorist Organizations
  • Also see: Charity & Security Network Opposes Legislation that Targets Charities [“Charitable organizations, especially those who work in settings where designated terrorist groups operate, already undergo strict internal due diligence and risk mitigation measures and – thanks to misguided categorizations of nonprofits being labeled as ‘particularly vulnerable’ to terrorist financing abuse in rushed policy directives immediately following 9/11 – face extra scrutiny by the U.S. government, the financial sector, and all actors necessary to operate and conduct financial transactions in such complex settings. While these categorizations have since been revoked, the scrutiny remains the same. As the prohibition on material support to foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) already exists, and is applicable to U.S. nonprofits, this proposed legislation is redundant and unnecessary. The potential harms far outweigh any potential “benefit” that its sponsors seek from the political parading or publicity that the bill produces. This legislation presents dangerous potential as a weapon to be used against civil society in the context of Gaza and beyond…Furthermore, this legislation contributes to the continued false narrative that nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are vehicles for abuse by terrorist organizations. In fact, the U.S. Department of Treasury itself and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have both publicly stated that NPOs historically face little to no risk of terrorist financing abuse. Officials in the U.S. government and Congress must recognize that this type of rhetoric and discourse, without proper evidence to substantiate claims of abuse, is damaging to the charitable sector as a whole, and undermines the diligent work done by experts in the field of NPO operations to ensure that aid goes only to innocent civilians caught living in areas where terrorist groups operate. As has been stated a number of times, ‘NPOs themselves have the most to lose’ if funding is redirected or does not end up in the hands of intended beneficiaries, and thus go to great precautionary lengths to prevent this.”]

Other stuff

(SANCTION ANSARALLAH) S. 3347: Introduced 11/27/23 by Cruz (R-TX) and 6 cosponsors (all Republicans), “to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Ansarallah  and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Cruz previously introduced this same bill in the last Congress (S. 3532, introduced 1/20/22). Also see: press release – Sen. Cruz Reintroduces Bill to Reimpose Terrorism Sanctions on Iran-Controlled Houthis

(REPORT ON HARM TO CIVILIANS BY FOREIGN GOVTS BACKED BY THE US) HR 6517 (bill text): Introduced 11/30/23 by Crow (D-CO) and Jacobs (D-CA), “To direct the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress annual reports on civilian casualties caused by certain operations of foreign governments, and for other purposes,” aka the “Civilian Harm Transparency in Partnerships Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Intelligence. Also see: press release –  Reps. Crow, Jacobs Introduce Bill to Increase Oversight of Civilian Casualties in Conflict Zones  Note: the bill would require reports to Congress on civilian casualties in operations  “(A) conducted by a foreign government; (B) involving the use of force; and (C) in which intelligence shared by an element of the intelligence community plays a significant role.” Reminder: C.I.A. Director Visits Israel and the Middle East Amid Israel-Hamas War (New York Times 11/5/23) – excerpt: “The United States is also looking to expand its intelligence sharing with Israel, providing information that could be useful about hostage locations or any follow-on attacks by Hamas. A U.S. official briefed on Mr. Burns’s trip said he planned to reinforce the American commitment to intelligence cooperation with partners in the region.” Also see: Is Washington Responsible for What Israel Does With American Weapons? (Foreign Affairs 11/17/23) – excerpt: “The United States is the biggest backer of the Israeli military, providing it with billions of dollars in military assistance every year. Because of this support and U.S. intelligence sharing, Israel’s brutal campaign in the Gaza Strip launched in response to Hamas’s unconscionable attack on Israeli civilians on October 7 raises serious legal and policy issues for the United States.”

 

2. Letters

Aid for Israel

  • 11/27/23: Schumer Dear Colleague On The Upcoming Work Period [letter text] – “One of the most important tasks we must finish is taking up and passing a funding bill to ensure we as well as our friends and partners in Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region have the necessary military capabilities to confront and deter our adversaries and competitors. It’s also critical that we provide humanitarian assistance for innocent Palestinian civilians who have nothing to do with Hamas. These national security priorities are interrelated and demand bipartisan Congressional action. That’s why I intend to bring the President’s national security supplemental package to the floor as soon as the week of December 4th.”

Targeting Hamas

Targeting UNRWA

  • 11/30/23: Waltz Urges UN Secretary-General to Investigate Possible Ties to Hostage Taking [letter text embedded in press release] – “I urge you in the strongest possible terms to investigate these allegations that UNRWA educational personnel were complicit in the hostage taking. If so, a fundamental change needs to be made at the UN and in UNRWA specifically.” ALSO SEE: UNRWA press release – Spreading unsubstantiated claims about UNRWA must immediately stop [“UNRWA has been following the traction of a post by an Israeli journalist on the social media platform X. The post claims that there is an alleged connection between an Israeli hostage held in Gaza and an UNRWA school teacher. The journalist did not provide more information on this claim.  UNRWA and other entities in the United Nations have asked the journalist to provide more information on what we consider to be a very serious allegation. Despite repeated demands, the journalist has not responded.  UNRWA requests that the journalist provides an immediate clarification of the claims, and that whoever may be able to assist us in determining the facts comes forward.  In the absence of credible information to support this claim, UNRWA requests that the journalist immediately deletes the post. Making serious allegations in the public domain, unsupported by any evidence or verifiable facts in support thereof may amount to misinformation. UNRWA reiterates that it takes all allegations of breach of UN principles extremely seriously and immediately investigates them. We are hence determined to find out whether the information in question is genuine or false. UNRWA is the largest humanitarian organization in the Gaza Strip and is currently hosting more than 1 million people in its shelters. Defamation attacks and the spread of misinformation about UNRWA -from any side- directly endanger the lifesaving operations of the Agency and its staff operating on the ground.  These harmful and presumably gratuitous acts must stop, immediately.”]

Conflating Support for Palestinians/criticism of Israel with Antisemitism/support for terrorism, & Targeting Free Speech and Education

  • 11/30/23: Capito, Colleagues Urge Biden Admin to Address Rising Rates of Antisemitism in K-12 Schools [letter text] – “...The rise in antisemitic incidents is a symptom of growing antisemitism among our nation’s young people who are a product of our K-12 education system. Less than half of Gen Z and millenials believe the U.S. publicly voice support of Israel compared with 63 percent of Gen X, 83 percent of baby boomers, and 86 percent of members of the Silent Generation. Over half of voters under the age of 35 do not support sending weapons and military equipment to Israel in response to the Hamas terrorist attacked [sic], compared with 77 percent of those 50 and over. A Generation Lab poll of two- and four-year college students found that 48 percent of college students who say they are aware of the October 7 attack do not blame that attack on Hamas. We must understand what role public K-12 schools are playing in furthering these sentiments…“
  • 11/28/23: Rubio Demands Investigations Into Biden Staff Ceasefire Letter [letter text] –  “I write with regard to the more than 500 federal employees, both political appointees and civil servants, representing the Biden Administration who have signed an open letter demanding that the President ‘urgently demand a ceasefire.’ This letter follows previous attempts of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which was recently surrounded and nearly broken into by violent protestors of similar beliefs, and staffers of political campaigns for former Democratic presidential nominees. Given the timeline with which the anonymous letter was sent and the known connections between administration staff and the president’s political allies, it is reasonable to suspect that these government employees could have coordinated the letter with partisan political actors and/or groups, such as the DNC, while on government time, using government resources. If this suspicion were to be true, it would constitute major violation of the Hatch Act, which places certain prohibitions on partisan political activities for federal employees while at work. As Acting Special Counsel, your office is charged with investigating Hatch Act violations and ensuring that partisan political activities do not interfere with the work of the federal government. Therefore, I urge you to investigate any potential Hatch Act violations by the signers of the administration staff’s letter and to ensure that no official government resources were used to coordinate this letter with domestic and/or foreign political actors or entities making similar demands.“
  • 11/21/21: Wasserman Schultz, Fitzpatrick Lead Bipartisan Push for Appropriators to Fund Fight Against Antisemitism [letter text in press release] Excerpt – “We urge you to provide funding in excess of the President’s request for the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, which is on the front lines of the fight against antisemitism and plays a central role in enforcing Title VI protections for students and faculty. Education is a powerful tool for preventing hate from taking root, but these efforts cannot succeed in an environment where antisemitism is tolerated. We also strongly support funding for programs that provide America’s public schools with resources to teach K-12 students about historic and modern antisemitism, the Holocaust, and the positive contributions of Jewish Americans.” Also see: Bipartisan group of lawmakers pushes for funding to implement antisemitism strategy (Jewish Insider 11/21/23)

Defending Free Speech

  • 11/17/23: AOC, other progressives call on Columbia University to reinstate pro-Palestine groups (Cityandstateny.com) [letter text] – letter led by Bowman (D-NY), reading: “On behalf of the Columbia community and our constituents, we, as elected officials from New York, urge you to reverse your decision to suspend Jewish Voice for Peace (‘JVP’) and Students for Justice in Palestine (‘SJP’) as official student groups through the fall term.We were disturbed to read Mr. Rosberg’s statement from November 10, 2023, announcing that JVP and SJP had been suspended for ‘holding campus events’ that had not been approved by the University, particularly ‘an unauthorized event Thursday afternoon.’ We understand this ‘unauthorized event’ to be a reference to the peaceful student walk-out and art installation that occurred on the Low Steps of Columbia University, on November 9, 2023. As the Columbia Spectator described this event, it involved ‘hundreds of students’ engaging in a ‘silent gathering,’ followed by student speeches calling for a ceasefire that included remarks from a Palestinian refugee who had been shot in the leg by an Israeli soldier at the age of 15. The organizers were peacefully demonstrating for the basic human rights of Palestinians and should not be punished for their speech.We support the University’s stated desire to maintain an atmosphere that is safe and free of hate; however, suspending these student groups based on the pretext of ‘safety’ does the opposite. Unfairly implying that JVP and SJP protesters engaged in ‘threatening rhetoric and intimidation’ at the November 9th event—a suggestion refuted by multiple sources, including the Columbia Spectator—aligns with the dangerous narrative that those who express empathy for the lives and dignity of Palestinians, or who speak about the historical context of the Israeli occupation of Palestine, are antisemitic or inherently dangerous. This narrative has had harmful consequences at Columbia over the past few weeks: students have been doxxed, trucks have circled with their names as ‘Columbia’s Leading Anti-Semites,’ and some students who expressed solidarity with the Palestinians—or were merely affiliated with student groups who have expressed such viewpoints—have had offers of employment withdrawn by employers. We urge you to listen not only to us, but also to your own faculty. On October 30th, over one hundred members of Columbia’s faculty wrote you an open letter rightly warning against ‘unacceptable’ attempts ‘to chill otherwise protected speech on campus.’ They reminded you to uphold your vision of the institution ‘as a beacon for ‘fostering critical thinking and opening minds to different points of view.’’ As critical scholars, they urged you to leave room for ‘robust inquiry about the most challenging matters of our time,’ and specifically warned against attempts to unfairly label your students as violent, disruptive, or antisemitic for expressing empathy for the lives and dignity of Palestinians. Reflecting deep concerns from the Columbia community and our constituents, we urge you to reverse the suspension of the SJP and JVP groups.“

Showing Some Degree of Concern for Palestinians

  • 11/21/23: Reps. Raskin, McGovern Urge Biden Administration to Protect Children of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank  [letter text] – “…we believe the deepening humanitarian disaster risks becoming a catastrophe that undermines the United States’ credibility in the region. We urge an immediate cessation of hostilities against targets with a civilian presence to facilitate the timely evacuation and protection of children and babies. Moreover, we need a thorough daily accounting of the condition of Palestinian and Israeli children and babies killed, wounded, and traumatized in this conflict. While every effort must be made to secure the release of the hostages, the efforts should also be made by the U.S. to immediate access of humanitarian organizations such as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent to Israeli children abducted by terrorists and still being held in Gaza. Such accountability should guide and help determine U.S. policies and strategies to prioritize the protection, care, and services for children who daily confront unspeakable dangers and loss in this conflict…“
  • 11/20/23: Baldwin, Kaine, Van Hollen Lead Colleagues in Calling for Immediate Steps to Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Gaza and Protect Civilians [letter text] – “As you and your administration work with Israel and international partners to secure the release of hostages and respond to the terror attack on Israel, we join you in your urgent call for humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We encourage you to work with international partners to achieve expeditious implementation of a plan for sustained humanitarian aid in Gaza. We hope you’ll join us in encouraging our ally Israel to take immediate steps to help provide critical humanitarian aid to the innocent civilians in Gaza, including re-opening the Kerem Shalom border crossing to allow life-saving water, food, and fuel to reach vulnerable civilians.“

Iran

Tying other Agendas to Israel

  • 11/28/23: Comer letter [letter text] to Commerce Secretary, “We write to request information on the recent decision by U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) to cease issuing new export licenses related to certain firearms, firearm components, and ammunition for approximately 90 days…Specifically, the announced ‘pause’ applies to issuances of new licenses for any item related to four Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) for to certain firearms, components, and ammunition destined for any non-governmental end user apart from those located in Ukraine, Israel, or those specified in regulations…“

 

3. Hearings & Markups

12/6/23: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “Transnational Repression: Authoritarians Targeting Dissenters Abroad.” Scheduled witnesses are: Christo Grozev, Investigative Journalist, Co-Founder, Bellingcat Productions; Michael Abramowitz, Freedom House; and Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, International Legal Counsel to Jimmy Lai.

12/5/23: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce will hold a hearing entitled, “Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism.” Scheduled witnesses (so far) will be: Claudine Gay, President, Harvard University;  Liz Magill, President, University of Pennsylvania; and Dr. Sally Kornbluth, President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Also see: House committee calls Harvard, UPenn, MIT presidents to answer for campus antisemitism (Jewish Insider 11/28/23) and Harvard, MIT and Penn presidents to testify before Congress on campus antisemitism (The Hill 11/28/23)

 

4. Selected Media & Press releases/statements

Israel/Palestine & Hill Politics

Israel/Palestine & US Elex

Ceasefire

Israel Works the Hill

Targeting Free Speech & Support for Palestinians, Conflating Criticism of Israel w/ Antisemtism & Support for Terrorism

 

Aid to Israel – Incl Possible Conditions?

1.Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

NOTE: For the foreseeable future, given the scope and pace of current events & related noise and actions coming from the Hill, there will continue to be no comprehensive “On the Record” in the Round-Up (use google or check members’ websites to see what a specific members is saying) and an abbreviated/selective Media section. Likewise, I’ll continue to cover all letters I find, but in most cases I’m just giving links and maybe an excerpt (apologies to anyone who misses the analysis and occasional snark). Let us all hope that the time will soon return when the horror-show of events on the ground ends and the Round-Up can return to systematically reporting on the full gamut of “normal” Middle East-related grandstanding on and from the Hill.

New from FMEP:

 

1. Bills, Resolutions & letters

Aid for Israel, for Israelis, and for Amcits in Israel

  • (EVACUATED FROM ISRAEL? YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL!) S. 3299: Introduced 11/14/23 by Blackburn (R-TN) and Rosen (D-NV), “A bill to provide that United States citizens evacuating Israel shall not be required to reimburse the United States Government, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • (EVACUATED FROM ISRAEL? YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL!) S. 3343: Introduced 11/16/23 by Blackburn (R-TN) and Rosen (D-NV), “A bill to provide that United States citizens evacuating Israel shall not be required to reimburse the United States Government, and for other purposes.” NOT referred to committee, but directly Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar [meaning it is likely to be brought to a vote quickly, without any committee consideration necessary].

Targeting Palestinians & Anyone Who Supports Them

  • (INT’L ORGS MUST SUPPORT GAZA ETHNIC CLEANSING & RE-DEFINE PALESTINIANS AS *MIGRANTS* RATHER THAN *REFUGEES*) HR 6367: Introduced 11/13/23 by Cleaver (D-MO), the “Armed Conflict Migration Act of 2023,” aka, “To direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the United States Executive Director at each international financial institution to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to provide financial assistance to countries that receive an influx of civilian, non-combatant displaced persons stemming from the armed conflict that has resulted from Hamas’s October 2023 terrorism in Israel, to be used for humanitarian aid for the displaced persons.” Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. Note that this bill, in effect, is designed to enable/facilitate the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, while simultaneously defining them as “migrants” rather than “refugees” (and thereby preemptively denying them any claim to return to homes/property in the land from which they are ostensibly choosing voluntarily to migrate — in effect achieving two key Israeli objectives with a single piece of legislation – impressive!) Marked up in the Financial Services Committee on 11/14/23, where it was passed by Voice Vote, with Waters (D-CA) speaking in favor (video). Notably, while Congress so far has had virtually no interest in or sympathy for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, when it comes to legislation to facilitate them LEAVING Gaza (an objective that aligns with Israel’s aspirations), members of Congress suddenly come over all kind-and-empathetic about the plight of Palestinians who through no fault of their own find they now need to relocate to somewhere else. Also see: prett release – Rep. Cleaver Introduces Legislation to Ensure Humanitarian Assistance is Accessible to Displaced Palestinians; Bill Passes Out of Financial Services Committee with Bipartisan Support
  • (SETTING UP NEW CATEGORY OF LAWFARE OPEN DOOR TO TARGETING ANY/ALL NGOs, [but aimed initially at NGOs that deal with Palestinian issues]) HR 6408: Introduced 11/14/23 by Kustoff (R-TN) and Schneider (D-IL), “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations.” Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Also see: press release – Kustoff, Schneider Introduce Legislation to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status to Nonprofits Supporting Hamas. NOTE: US charitable organizations (*like all other US entities*) are already barred by law from providing material support for terror and already face intense scrutiny (for example, see the landmark Holy Land Foundation case). With this in mind, one must ask: what’s the purpose of HR 6408? Some observers seem to assume that it is merely about virtue signaling and grandstanding, but careful reading of the text of HR 6408 strongly suggests something much more serious. This would be: enabling a new category of legal harassment of NGOs, focused in the first instance on those that engage with Palestinians or on Palestinian issues, but also enabling attacks on NGOs working in any sector and on any issues. This would be similar to the strategy innovated in recent years by politically-motivated lawfare actors to target NGOs that work with USAID, relying on a combination of US anti-terror laws and the False Claims Act (detailed in my 2019 article in The Forward; for further resources check out the Charity & Security Network), and using as its hook the anti-terror certification that is included in every USAID contract. While HR 6408 does not explicitly stipulate that U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations would be required to sign an anti-terror attestation akin to the one in USAID contracts, such an attestation (or something like it) would clearly be required to enforce HR 6408 — creating a hook for lawfare actors to pursue what would be a much broader new category of harassment lawsuits. As such, this new legislation would potentially represent a powerful weapon of NGO mass harassment, enabling politically motivated actors from across the political spectrum, and focused on any issue, to launch harassment lawsuits (aka SLAPP suits) against NGOs whose mission/work they want to undermine, discredit, or otherwise obstruct (and as a reminder: when it comes to harassment lawsuits, the mere act of forcing an NGO to spend time, money, and political/reputational capital in defending itself is a win for those bringing the suits, regardless of whether there is any chance of them actually winning the case). Also see: Congress seeks to end tax-exempt status for Hamas-supporting charities (Jewish News Syndicate 11/15/23)
  • (DEFINING CAMPUS ACTIVITY CRITICAL OF ISRAEL AS ANTISEMITISM & LINKING IT TO TERRORISM) HR 6419 (text): Introduced 11/15/23 by Bean (R-FL) and Nehls (R-TX), “To require institutions of higher education to include reporting regarding campus anti-Semitism in the annual security report required under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, to ensure that institutions of higher education do not support terrorist activity of foreign terrorist organizations, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and the Judiciary. Also see: press release – Bean, Nehls Take Action to Halt Antisemitic Attacks on Campuses
  • (FIGHTING ANTISEMITISM – conflated with criticism of Israel – IN EUROPE) H. Res. 872: Introduced 11/15/23 by Keating (D-MA) and Fitzpatrick (R-PA), “Reaffirming the need for transatlantic cooperation to combat antisemitism in Europe.“ Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Iran

  • (STOP IRAN OIL EXPORTS) HR 6365: Introduced 11/13/23 by Waters (D-CA), the “Stopping Illicit Oil Shipments Act of 2023,” aka, “To protect against illicit oil shipments, and for other purposes.” The bill notes: “One method by which Iran and Russia frequently attempt to evade these U.S. sanctions on oil is to ‘false flag’, which means to avoid sanctions scrutiny by registering a vessel in a permissive country or by sailing under another country’s flag without communicating this to the country whose flag is being used” and “this Act will force a change in behavior within the maritime shipping industry by limiting the availability of insurance products to those not verifying flag registration and providing a direct route for the Office of Foreign Assets Control (‘OFAC’) to gain possibly actionable information that could lead to OFAC enforcement actions as well as additional targets for sanctions designations.” Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
  • (FREEZE IRANIAN $$ IN PRISONER EXCHANGE DEAL) HR 5961: Introduced 10/16/23 by McCaul (R-TX) and 25 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To freeze certain Iranian funds involved in the 2023 hostage deal between the United States and Iran, and for other purposes.” On 11/15/23, the House voted on H. Res. 869, the Rule that would have paved the way for HR 5961 to be brought to the floor for a vote. That resolution failed by a vote of 198-225, with all Democrats plus 19 Republicans voting No.
  • (MORE IRAN SANCTIONS) S. 3334 (text): Introduced 11/15/23 by Cotton (R-AR), “A bill to require reports on and impose sanctions with respect to Iran’s development of space-launch vehicles, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and unmanned aerial systems, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: press release – Cotton Introduces Legislation to Sanction Iranian Missile Development

Other stuff

  • (STICKING IT TO QATAR!) HR 6431: Introduced 11/15/23 by Ogles (R-TN) and Biggs (R-AZ), “To suspend the designation of the State of Qatar as a major non-NATO ally.“  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  • (FORMER US SOLDIERS MUST NOT WORK FOR US ENEMIES!) S. 3339:  Introdued 11/15/23 by Shaheen (D-NH) and 2 cosponsors (bipartisan), “A bill to prohibit former members of the Armed Forces from accepting employment in positions involving training, consulting, advising, or instructing any government-associated individual or entity from the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, or the Syrian Arab Republic.”  Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
  • (REMOVE US FORCES FROM SYRIA!) S. J. Res. 51: Introduced 11/15/23 by Paul (R-KY) and no cosponsors, “A joint resolution directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Syria that have not been authorized by Congress.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • (COMPENSATE US VICTIMS OF LIBYA-SPONSORED TERROR) S. 3336: Introduced 11/15/23 by Collins (R-ME) and 4 cosponsors (all Democrats), “A bill to provide compensation for United States victims of Libyan state-sponsored terrorism, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 

2. Letters

Aid/Support for Israel

Targeting Hamas &/or ALL Palestinians &/or Anyone Who Cares About Them

  • 11/16/23: SENATOR VANCE LEADS CHARGE TO PREVENT PALESTINIAN RESETTLEMENT IN AMERICA (letter text) [“We urge your Administration to neither authorize Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Palestinians in the United States nor designate the Palestinian territories for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). As you know, DED and TPS make it more difficult to remove eligible foreign nationals from our country. In light of the ongoing armed conflict in the Gaza Strip, and related domestic protests by foreign nationals from the region, Palestinian aliens should not be incentivized to travel to, or remain in, the United States. We ask that you remember your oath to protect the lives of American citizens and not import a population of potentially radicalized individuals into the United States…n our humble opinion, we should be finding ways to reduce the number of terrorist sympathizers in America, not increase them.”]
  • 11/15/23: Nadler Leads Letter to AG Garland Urging Prosecution of Hamas Terrorists  (letter text) [“We write to urge you to use all necessary Department of Justice resources to investigate and prosecute these murders pursuant to the extraterritorial jurisdiction provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 2332 (a), which grant the United States government authority to prosecute anyone who ‘kills a national of the United States while such national is outside the United States.’“]

Defending (to some extent) Palestinians & Free Speech

  • 11/16/23: Warner and Kaine Request Guidance on Federal Employees’ Right to Self-Expression During Middle East Conflict (letter text) [“We are writing on behalf of federal employees in Virginia who have expressed fears about censorship and reprisal resulting from their expression of views related to the horrific terrorist attack committed by Hamas against Israel on October 7 and the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. We are concerned that the federal government has not provided adequate guidance on federal employees’ rights to self-expression. To that end, we request that you develop and circulate clear guidance, or direct agencies to do so, concerning the federal government’s policies on federal employee self-expression, and that you ensure federal employees do not face retaliation for expressing their personal views in line with that guidance…Although we appreciate your outreach efforts to federal employees thus far, current OPM and OSC policies lack adequate guidance on this matter and have left many federal employees unaware of their rights. This conflict has brought incredible heartache to countless Americans, and we urge you to act swiftly to develop clear guidance on federal employees’ rights allowing for the appropriate expression of these sentiments.”]
  • 11/16/23: Booker and Goldman Push Biden Administration to Address Israeli Settler Violence in the West Bank (letter text) [“…As your administration tirelessly works to prevent the expansion of this conflict, we write to specifically highlight the threat that violence in the West Bank – especially vigilante violence by Israeli settlers – poses to those efforts, Israel’s near-term security, Palestinian human rights, and long-term regional peace. We thank you for your strong remarks condemning settler violence and for speaking directly with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu about the ‘need to hold extremist settlers accountable for violent acts.’ It was valuable that following your conversation, Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly stated on Saturday his condemnation of this violence and that his government ‘will act against it,’ but we are concerned that his remarks did not accurately recognize its source nor scale. We believe Israel must do more to stop any further settler violence and urge you to continue to stress to the Israeli government the need to proactively prevent these attacks and ensure accountability for any crimes committed in the West Bank.”] Also see: X-post from Yousef Munayyer -“This is the safe space for Dems to hide right now. It is a way to tell constituents demanding a cease-fire in Gaza : Just because 5,000 dead kids in Gaza isn’t enough dead kids for me, I actually do care about Palestinians, see.“
  • 11/15/23: 24 Members of Congress Call on Biden Administration to Establish a Ceasefire, Protect Children in the Gaza Strip (letter text) [“...We commend your Administration’s goals of seeing a major expansion of humanitarian supplies arriving into Gaza. While we greatly welcome your work, it has had limited impact on the ground so far and, we believe, risks undermining the United States’ own credibility in the region. We urge an immediate cessation of hostilities in order to stop the bombing and provide much-needed relief to Palestinian civilians. In his remarks reflecting on the October 7th attacks, the President acknowledged U.S. mistakes in the aftermath of September 11th and advised that an appropriate response ‘requires being deliberate. It requires asking very hard questions. It requires clarity about the objectives and an honest assessment about whether the path you are on will achieve those objectives.’ These wise words should continue to inform U.S. counsel to Israel’s response. Recognizing that there is no military solution that will end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we urge your Administration to obtain clarity on the specific strategic objectives of a large-scale ground invasion, their achievability, what may come after Hamas, the risks to hostages and civilians in the region, the national security implications of a multi-front war in the Middle East, and the potential threats to American citizens in the region…” Also see: Twenty-four House Democrats call for a cease-fire, accuse Israel of ‘grave violations against children’ [“The letter does not acknowledge or address Hamas’ use of human shields in Gaza“] (Jewish Insider 11/16/23)
  • 11/10/23: Merkley, Colleagues Urge Inclusion of Full Humanitarian Assistance in Supplemental Funding Package (letter text) [“As supporters of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, we believe Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself against Hamas – a terrorist organization whose horrific attacks on October 7 and long history of violence against Israelis and Palestinians make clear its total disregard for innocent human life. We also know from our country’s own experiences that protecting civilians and ensuring access to desperately needed food, water, medical care, and shelter for innocent civilians caught in the middle of conflict is critical for strategic success. Preventing Hamas from ever again threatening Israeli lives does not depend solely on Israel’s ability to degrade Hamas militarily. It also requires giving Palestinians hope for a better future, starting with making sure that humanitarian aid continuously reaches vulnerable civilians in Gaza. This is why the United States and our implementing partners, working closely with the Israeli government, undertake extensive oversight procedures so that U.S. assistance flows only to its intended recipients.“]
  • 11/9/23 (press release 11/13/23): Welch and Colleagues Urge USDA and USAID to Provide Food Aid to Palestinians in Gaza (letter text) [“We are writing to request the immediate release of resources from the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust, along with other resources available to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide food aid to Palestinians in Gaza.1 We believe the current situation in Gaza necessitates the utilization of the Trust, which was established to provide emergency assistance for populations facing acute hunger needs, among other resources created to address acute hunger needs.”]

Targeting Iran

Using Support for Israel as Hook for Other Agendas

  • 11/16/23: Budd Leads 46 Senators to Demand Answers Over Biden Administration’s Unprecedented Pause of Firearms Export Licenses (letter text) [“We recognize the crucial need for firearms for civilian self-defense in Ukraine and Israel, which are exempted from this pause, and note the actions by the Ukrainian and Israeli governments to fulfill those needs. For example, in response to the Hamas attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that part of the war against Hamas involves ‘encouraging civilians and helping civilians to arm themselves for their self-defence.’ The Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, promised to distribute 10,000 free weapons, including 4,000 rifles to settlers in the West Bank, and has relaxed rules for permits to allow 400,000 new people to qualify to carry a firearm… Please provide data on export license applications submitted for non-governmental users in Israel since Hamas’ attacks began in October 2023 that are of the same type covered by the Department’s October 27 announcement…Please provide data on the average time to review export license applications related to the October 27 announcement to non-governmental users in Israel…“]
  • 11/15/23: Sen. Rick Scott Urges Biden to Reexamine U.S.-Colombian Relationship Under Petro Admin (letter text) [“I am writing regarding Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s hostile and anti-Semitic statements made after Iran-backed Hamas terrorists tortured and massacred more than 1,400 Israeli men, women and children, and at least 33 Americans on October 7, 2023, and continues to hold more than 200 people hostage, including numerous Americans. President Petro has a gross track record of opposing U.S. interests and has now crossed a new line by blaming Israel for the atrocities committed by these Iran-backed Hamas terrorists and comparing Israel to Nazi Germany. It is clear that the positions taken by President Petro’s administration require a full examination of the U.S.–Colombia relationship.”]
  • 11/14/23: Garbarino, Moskowitz Urge President Biden To Reconsider FDA Rule With Potential To Open Illicit Revenue Stream For Hamas-Allied Terrorists (letter text) NOTE: The argument of this letter is: don’t ban menthol cigarettes because people will then be forced to buy the illicitly, which could benefit Hezbollah and Hamas, because, “There have been cases in which Hezbollah and Hamas cells have smuggled cigarettes into the United States to send the revenue overseas. Given Hezbollah’s established cigarette business and its ties to the Mexican drug cartels, we cannot discount the potential for this FDA-proposed rule to open a massive revenue stream for this Hamas-allied foreign terrorist organization.” Also see: Congressmen warn US menthol cigarette ban could benefit Hezbollah, Hamas
  • 11/14/23: Casey Urges President Biden to Confront Chinese President on Fentanyl, Hamas (letter text) [“As you prepare to meet with PRC President and CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, I urge you to ensure President Xi commits to meaningful action to go after Chinese chemical companies fueling the fentanyl epidemic in our country, and to continue to stress the need for President Xi to denounce Hamas as a terrorist organization and demand the immediate release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas.”]

 

3. Hearings & Markups

November 15, 2023: The House Financial Services Committee’s Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, “Crypto Crime in Context: Breaking Down the Illicit Activity in Digital Assets.” Witnesses were: Bill Hughes, Senior Counsel & Director of Global Regulatory Matters at ConsenSys and previously Associate Deputy Attorney, General at the Department of Justice (statement); Jane Khodarkovsky, Partner at Arktouros, previously Trial Attorney and Human Trafficking Finance Specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (statement); Jonathan Levin, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Chainalysis (statement); Gregory Lisa, Chief Legal Officer, DELV (f/k/a Element Finance, Inc.) and Senior Counsel, Hogan Lovells US LLP, Previously Interim Director, Office of Compliance and Enforcement at Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (statement); and Alison Jimenez, President, Dynamic Securities Analytics, In (statement). Also see: hearing video; opening statement by Chairman Hill (R-AR), focusing on fighting Hamas financing.

November 15, 2023: The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing entitled, “From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing.” Witnesses – representing a unified perspective with respect to the conflation of criticism of Israel/Palestine rights activism with antisemitism – were: Talia Dror, Student at Cornell University and Vice President of Finance, Cornellians for Israel (Statement);  Adam Lehman, President & CEO, Hillel International (Statement); Jonathan Schanzer, FD (Statement), Noa Tishby, Israel’s Former Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism (Statement); and Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO & National Director (Statement). As was clear in advance from the title and witness list of this event, this was a show-hearing, with all conclusions already drawn, and called for the purpose of putting voices that back those conclusions into the spotlight & for members to grandstand. SPECIAL FUN NOTE: One witness – Noa Tishby – wore at the hearing her usual necklace, which is a map depicting – from her perspective – Israel, spanning from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. As a reminder, if Palestinians, including on any US campus, use this same map – or invoke language that in any way suggests it – they are attacked for alleged genocidal, antisemitic intent. But when a former Israeli official proudly wears this same map as she testifies in Congress – crickets. Also see: hearing video

November 15, 2023: The House Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing entitled, “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland.” Witnesses were: Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, FBI Director Wray, and National Counterterrorism Center Director Christine Abizaid (written testimony of all 3 witnesses – all of whom include focus on Hamas/Israel/antisemitism – is here). Reminder: in the press release announcing the hearing, Chairman Green (R-TN) states: “The complex threats facing our nation are growing, especially as enemies of freedom perceive weakness in the current administration. Our ally Israel faces continued attacks from proxies of the Iranian regime, a regime that also proudly chants ‘Death to America’ and brazenly threatens our citizens, interests, and allies in the region…An open border, an emboldened Iran and Russia, and a Chinese Communist Party on a quest for global dominance represent a growing threat to America’s interests abroad and our security at home. The testimony of these officials next week is crucial to examine how the Biden administration is falling short, and where Congress needs to step in so the administration can adequately protect our country.” Also see: hearing video; Large majority of post-Oct. 7 threats in the U.S. have targeted Jews, FBI director says (Jewish Insider 11/15/23)

November 14, 2023: The House Financial Services Committee held a full committee markup of various measures related to Iran and Hamas (listed below). Also see: hearing video; Waters (D-CA) press release – Ranking Member Waters Delivers Opening Statement During Full Committee Markup: “There Is a Strong, Bipartisan Desire to Send a Clear Signal That Terrorism, From Iran’s Support of Hamas and Hezbollah to Russia’s Illegal Invasion of Ukraine Will Not Be Tolerated.”

  • HR 5921, the “No U.S. Financing for Iran Act of 2023” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute), which “would prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from issuing any licenses authorizing a U.S. financial institution to engage in transactions for trade with Iran, other than food, medicine, or medical devices benefitting Iranian civilians. The legislation also requires the Secretary to oppose International Monetary Fund (IMF) assistance to Iran, and to ensure that IMF member companies do not exchange Special Drawing Rights held by Iran. H.R. 5921 further prohibits the Export-Import Bank from providing assistance involving the Iranian government, or an entity owned or controlled by the government.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 34 – 12
  • HR 5923, the “Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute), which “would expand secondary sanctions involving Iran to cover all transactions between Chinese financial institutions and sanctioned Iranian banks that transact for the purchase of petroleum and petroleum products. The bill would also require an annual determination as to whether Chinese financial institutions have engaged in sanctionable conduct.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 47 – 0.
  • HR 6245, the “Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute), which “requires the President to report on the assets of certain Iranian government officials and terrorist leaders while also providing for the publication of those assets. This legislation further requires the Secretary of the Treasury to seek the closure of U.S. and foreign financial institution accounts connected with the assets.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 49 – 0.
  • HR 6323, the “Iran Counterterrorism Act of 2023” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute), which “requires Iran to have ceased support for acts of international terrorism as a condition for the President to waive secondary sanctions imposed with respect to the country. This bill also provides for a congressional review process for national security interest waivers of these sanctions.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 – 19.
  • HR 6322, the “End Financing to Hamas and State Sponsors of Terrorism Act” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute), which “requires the Secretary of the Treasury to submit to Congress an analysis of major financing sources to Hamas, a description of U.S. and multilateral efforts to disrupt illicit financial flows to the group, and an evaluation of efforts to undermine Hamas’s ability to finance armed hostilities against Israel. The bill also requires the Secretary to develop a multilateral strategy to ensure that Hamas is incapable of financing global terror. The bill also prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from using the exchange stabilization fund to deal in Special Drawing Rights from state sponsors of terrorism.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 – 13
  • HR 5945, the “Freezing-HAMAS Act” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute), which “would negate any waiver of sanctions issued pursuant to a U.S. agreement with Iran, including the waiver transmitted to Congress on September 11, 2023, that permitted Iranian access to certain funds held abroad.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 37 – 13.
  • HR 6000, the “Revoke Iranian Funding Act of 2023,” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute – text not available), which “would rescind the waiver transmitted to Congress on September 11, 2023, that released funds to Iran for humanitarian purposes. The legislation would also require a report on assets held by the government of Iran and certain sanctioned persons.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 37 – 13.
  • HR 6015, the “Iran Sanctions Accountability Act of 2023” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute), which “would require the President to prescribe regulations to ensure that humanitarian exemptions involving Iran sanctions do not facilitate acts of international terrorism, transactions with sanctioned persons, or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 50 – 0.
  • HR 6367, the “Armed Conflict Migration Act of 2023” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute), which “would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the United States Executive Director at each international financial institution to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to provide financial assistance to countries that receive an influx of migrants stemming from the armed conflict that has resulted from Hamas’s October 2023 terrorism in Israel, to be used for humanitarian aid for the migrants.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  • HR 6370, the “OFAC Licensure for Investigators Act” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute), which “would require the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a pilot program within the Office or Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) and administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) by which private-sector firms (like blockchain analytics firms or the financial intelligence units within correspondent banks) can conduct (send or receive) nominal financial transactions to and through sanctioned entities in furtherance of their investigations. It would be a well-defined, narrowly applied specific license that allows these entities to access better data through their interactions with these bad actors so they can share that with the financial industry, governments, and other consumers of their products. The program would include regular reporting of the license recipients’ findings to OFAC as a condition of the license.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 50 – 0.
  • HR 6365, the “Stopping Illicit Oil Shipments Act of 2023” (see amendment in the nature of a substitute), which “would require the insurance and reinsurance companies to include in their agreements for shipping coverage termination clauses that would be triggered when a flag state withdraws the registration of a vessel, often used as a method of disguising the transport of sanctioned oil.” – Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 50 – 0.

November 14, 2023: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was scheduled to hold a CLOSED/CLASSIFIED (TS/SCI) meeeting entitled, “The Current Security Situation in the Middle East,” featuring John Bass, Under Secretary of State for Management. This meeting was POSTPONED.

November 14, 2023: The Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing entitled, “Confronting the Scourge of Antisemitism on Campus”. Witnesses were: Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union (statement); Kenneth Marcus, Founder and Chairman, Brandeis Center (statement);  Stacy Burdett, Independent Consultant in Antisemitism Prevention and Response (statement); and Sahar Tartak, Student, Yale University (statement). Also see: hearing video; Hearing Recap: Antisemitism on Campus Edition. Also see: Lawmakers move to cut federal funding to colleges over antisemitic activity, push for federal probes of SJP and AMP (Jewish Insider 11/15/23)

November 14, 2023: The House Rules Committee met to consider HR 5961, the “No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act” (in order to decide on the rule under which HR 5961 is brought to the House floor for debate and a vote.

November 14, 2023: There was a CLOSED Joint Hearing of the Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, & Intelligence, and the Subcommittee on the National Intelligence Enterprise (Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence) on Countering Terrorism in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape. 

 

4. Selected Media & Press releases/statements

Partisan/Political
Elections
  • The Media Line 11/17/23: One of Arizona’s Most Pro-Israel Candidates Is Arab American
  • Jewish Insider 11/16/23: Tammy Murphy kicks off campaign for Senate in New Jersey [“Jewish and pro-Israel activists in the Garden State say Murphy has a strong command of foreign policy and would be an outspoken supporter of Israel if she is elected, pointing to her multiple trips to the Jewish state and frequent engagement with Jewish communal leaders during her five years as first lady…“]
  • Slate 11/15/23: The Squad Is About to Fight for Its Political Life [“…AIPAC wants ‘to make the statement this cycle that no one is safe from their wrath, that if you speak out, you can be targeted no matter how popular or how many cycles of incumbent you are,’ said Connor Farrell, president of the progressive fundraising group Left Rising, in a phone call…Close watchers now expect AIPAC to spend at least $100 million in Democratic primaries, largely trained on eliminating incumbent Squad members from their seats. It’s likely that even more money will be spent by affiliated super PACs, including the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC and the Mainstream Democrats PAC, too. (These PACs have already launched six-figure ad buys against Bowman, Lee, and Tlaib, a year away from the election—an exorbitant, hardly strategic commitment largely meant to prove that money will not be in short supply.) Meanwhile, small-dollar fundraising numbers are way down across the board, making it even more difficult for those progressives to fund a defense…“]
  • The Guardian 11/11/23: Pro-Israel groups target US lawmakers critical of Israel’s war ahead of primaries

On the Current Crisis

1.Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

NOTE: And once again this week…given the scope and pace of current events there is no “On the Record” section this week, and only an abbreviated Media section. Check members accounts on X or their websites for yourself if you want to see what they are saying. It remains just too much and too soul-crushing to follow, let alone to try to document, comprehensively, while also following the actual horror-show of genocide unfolding on the ground.

New from FMEP:

  • FMEP/MEI webinar 11/3/23: Gaza, Israel and the 2023 War: Are there any red lines?, ft.  Jamil Dakwar (Human Rights Lawyer & Adjunct Professor, New York University and Hunter College);  Katherine Gallagher (Senior Staff Attorney, Center for Constitutional rights); and Dr. Raz Segal (Associate Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies and Endowed Professor in the Study of Modern Genocide, Stockton University); in conversation with Khaled Elgindy (MEI) and Lara Friedman (FMEP)
  • FMEP webinar 11/1/23: Catastrophe in Gaza: What’s Next? — Part 2, ft. Sari Bashi (Human Rights Watch), Amjad Iraqi (+972 Magazine), in conversation with FMEP’s Lara Friedman
  • FMEP webinar 10/30/23: Catastrophe in Gaza: What’s Next? — Part 1, ft. Inès Abdel Razek (Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy), Fadi Quran (Avaaz), in conversation with FMEP’s Lara Friedman

 

1. Bills, Resolutions & letters

More Aid for Israel

As noted in last week’s Round-Up, emergency funding for Israel is both the top agenda item for Speaker Johnson, and the focus of what it was clear from the start would become a huge political drama. That’s because:

(a) the Biden Administration and Democrats want to combine emergency aid for Israel with other urgent funding priorities, including Ukraine; for their part, Republicans want to fund emergency aid for Israel but adamantly do not want that same funding bill to include anything they don’t like (like Ukraine funding), and

(b) Leader Johnson is adamant that the more than $14 billion in emergency funding for Israel requested by Biden (which Republicans absolutely support) MUST be offset by cuts from other regular funding bills (in a practice that conflicts with all emergency spending in memory, under either party)– and the target this week turned out to be…the IRS. and

(c) Republicans in both the House and Sente appears to have decided a way to prove they are even more pro-Israel than Biden and all but a handful of Democrats (who are all-in with unqualified support for everything Israel is doing in Gaza and for massive aid to help Israel keep doing it and more!) is to…block the meager aid funding Palestinian humanitarian needs included in the Biden Administration request (crumbs of humanitarian aid to be granted alongside massive US funding for Israel to keep bombing those same aid recipients to smithereens). As a reminder, the proposed funding for Palestinians includes, per the Biden Administration’s own explicit introduction/explanation, potential support for Palestinians who in the near future might discover that they no longer live in Gaza – something you’d think hardline pro-Israel Senate Republicans would be enthusiastic about…]

What this means is that the battle around emergency aid for Israel has aleady turned into a high-stakes game of political chicken, with Democrats and Republicans vying to each make they case that they are MORE supportive of Israel than the other, and each side trying to make sure that the other side gets blamed for what is (predictably) turning into a delay in Congress approving the funding. [For analysis on this sh*t show from another angle, see: Emergency Supplemental Funding for Israel – The Current State of Play (JINSA)]

  • (THE MAIN EVENT IN THE HOUSE) HR 6126: Introduced 11/1/23 by Granger (R-TX) and 100 cosponsors, (all Republicans), the “Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024.” Referred to the Committees on Appropriations, the Budget, and Ways and Means. As predicted, this bill: provides $14.3 billion in emergency funding ONLY for Israel; offests that funding with $14.3 billion in cuts to IRS funding; and leavest out funding for Palestinian humanitarian aid.  This bill was brought to the floor (no committee markups or consideration) 11/2/23 under suspension of the rules, and passed by a vote of 226-196 (with 12 Democrat joining 214 Republicans in voting YES, and 2 Republicans joining 194 Democrats in voting NO). Also see: Schumer (D-NY) press release 11/2/23 – Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On House Republicans’ Unserious And Woefully Inadequate Aid Package (see section 4, below, for articles related to this drama)
  • (STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC TIES WITH ISRAEL!) S. Res. XXX (text): On 11/3/23, Sen. Cassidy (R-LA) published a press release announcing the introduction of a resolution “Recognizing the importance of the economic relationship between the United States and Israel and affirming that trade facilitated by the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement is a tool to support the economy of Israel during the conflict with Hamas.” Also see: press release – Cassidy, Blackburn, Cortez Masto Lead Resolution To Strengthen Economic Ties With Israel
  • (EMERGENCY AID FOR ISRAEL AND *ONLY* ISRAEL) S. 3168: Introduced 10/30/23 by Marshall (R-KS) and 9 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A bill making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Israel for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.“ Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
  • (EMERGENCY AID FOR ISRAEL AND *ONLY* ISRAEL) HR 6113: Introduced 10/30/23 by Banks (R-IN) and 2 Republican cosponsors, “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Israel for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on the Budget. Notably this bill includes a provision barring use of any funds under the bill in connection with the war in Ukraine or for assistance for “any entity that is—(A) located in the territory of Gaza; or (B) is controlled or influenced by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any other organization designated by the Secretary of State as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.”

Targeting Free Speech/Protest Related to Israel

  • (CONDEMNING FREE SPEECH IN SUPPORT OF PALESTINIANS ON CAMPUSES) H.  Res. 798: Introduced 10/19/223 by Owens (R-UT) and having 97 cosponsors (94 Republicans and 4 Democrats), “Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff.” The “whereas clauses” of this resolution includes (as amended in the version brought to the floor) a list combining some arguably stupid (and offensive) things said by students and faculty, side-by-side with some things that are arguably being deliberately misrepresented as meaning something that was not the actual intention and with sweeping generalizations designed to characterize pretty much all campus protest as pro-Hamas and antisemitic. The “resolved” clauses, as amended in the version brought to the floor, include urging “enforcement of Federal civil rights laws to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.” Brought to the floor 11/1/23 under suspension of the rules (floor “debate” is here — read the whole thing to get a sense of how Republicans are weaponizing the current crisis to launch an all-out assault on academia; and remember that these are the same members of Congress who have in recent years railed against efforts to prevent Nazis and right-wing extremists marching/demonstrating on college campuses). The resolution appeared to pass by a Voice Vote, but Owens demanded a roll call vote — toward the self-evident goal of compelling Democrats to either vote for this very problematic measure or be accused of not caring about antisemitism on campus. Passed 11/2/23 by a roll call vote of 396-23
  • (TARGETING ISRAEL-RELATED ACTIVISM/SPEECH ON CAMPUSES?) H. Res. 825 & H.Res.833: Introduced 10/30/23 and 11/1/23 by Kiley (R-CA) and no cosponsors, “Condemning antisemitism on college campuses.“ Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. These two (identical) resolutions don’t mention Israel or the current war, but instead call on campus adminisrators to “condemn all forms of antisemitism on college campuses,” [the clear implication being that current protests against Israel’s actions are a form of antisemitism] and then call on campuses to defend the free speech rights and opportunities, and security and safety, of Jewish students.
  • (CENSURING REP. TLAIB FOR SOME TOTALLY INSANE ALLEGATIONS) H. Res. 829: Introduced 11/1/23 by Green (R-GA), and having no cosponsors, “Censuring Representative Rashida Tlaib for antisemitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations, and leading an insurrection at the United States Capitol Complex.” On 11/1/23, the House voted to table (i.e., not pass) H. Res. 829 by a vote of 222-186 (with all Democrats plus 23 Republicans voting to table the measure).
  • (CONDEMNING REP. TLAIB FOR THE PALESTINIAN FLAG ETC) H. Res. 835: Introduced 11/1/23 by Moore (R-AL) and no cosponsors, “Condemning the statements of Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.” Referred to the Committees on Ethics and the Judiciary. The “whereas” clauses of this (bizarre) resolution consiste of: “Whereas, on October 10, 2023, Representative Rachida Tlaib of Michigan displayed the Palestinian flag, whose leadership is responsible for the violent rapes and murders of innocent women and children in Israel; Whereas Representative Rashida Tlaib has a documented history of expressing anti-American sentiments; Whereas Representative Rashida Tlaib and other Members of Congress continue to advocate for a terrorist organization responsible for the death of countless lives“.
  • (BARRING ENTRY/ALLOWING DEPORTATION OF FOREIGNERS WHO SUPPORT PALESTINIAN RIGHTS) S. 3183 (text): Introduced 11/1/23 by Rubio (R-FL) and 4 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A bill to consider, for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act, that officers, officials, representatives, spokespersons, and members of Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS, and individuals who endorse or espouse terrorist activities conducted by such organizations are engaged in terrorist activity.”  Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Prevent Foreign Terrorist Sympathizers From Entering or Remaining in the U.S. [“Following the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel, pro-Hamas demonstrations swept across the U.S., including by foreign nationals. Under federal law, individuals who endorse or espouse terrorist activity are inadmissible. Current law explicitly states that members of certain groups, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), are not permitted in the U.S. However, the PLO is not the only group that should be banned in our nation. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and colleagues introduced the Terrorist Inadmissibility Codification Act. This bill would expand current U.S. law to prohibit members, officers, officials, representatives, and spokesmen of Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Palestine Islamic Jihad from entering, or remaining in, the U.S. The bill would also apply to aliens who endorse or espouse terrorist activities conducted by any of these U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).“]
  • (TARGETING CAMPUS FREE SPEECH & STUDENTS CRITICAL OF ISRAEL – INCL w/ IHRA DEFINITION) S. 3184 (text): Introduced 11/1/23 by Rubio (R-FL), “A bill to require institutions of higher education to include reporting regarding campus anti-Semitism in the annual security report required under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, to ensure that institutions of higher education do not support terrorist activity of foreign terrorist organizations, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Also see: Rubio Introduces Bill to Suspend Terrorist Activity on College Campuses [“Since the October 7, 2023 massacre by Hamas, Jewish students across the country have faced vandalism, arson, and other forms of harassment. Taxpayer-funded colleges have allowed staff and students who back the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) Hamas to engage in pro-terrorism harassment. Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t fund nor facilitate pro-terrorist activities, and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) should take action in preventing harassment by terrorism supporters. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the Ending Subsidies for Pro-Terrorist Activities on Campus Act to ensure federal dollars are not being used to support pro-terrorist activities on college campuses and require that IHEs have policies to address them.” Notably, this legislation would in effect require the legal enforcement of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism, including its examples. It would also legislate “anti-semitic and anti-terrorism-related incidents” reporting with respect to alleged violations of US anti-terror law OR the IHRA definition of antisemitism by foreign students, “and any disciplinary action taken against such alien student, to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.

Targeting All Palestinians (while pretending it’s about targeting Hamas)

  • (NO AID FOR PALESTINIANS, PERIOD – CUZ IT ALL BENEFITS HAMAS – OF COURE) S. 3174 (text): Introduced 10/31/23 by Ricketts (R-NE) and Scott (R-SC), “A bill to prohibit aid that will benefit Hamas, and for other purposes,” aka, the “Stop Support for Hamas Act.”  Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.  This bill would bar any funding to UNRWA, would bar any ESF to Gaza OR the West Bank until the Secretary certifies that Israel has eradicated Hamas and every other terrorist organization has from Gaza; and amends existing law to bar any aid that directly OR INDIRECTLY could benefit Hamas. So in a nutshell – no aid, humanitarian or otherwise, to Palestinians.  Also see: Ricketts, Scott Introduce Bill to Block Foreign Aid Benefitting Hamas
  • (NO AID FOR A SINGLE PALESTINIAN) S. 3166 (text); Introduced 10/30/23 by Cruz (R-TX), “A bill to prohibit official United States Government business from being conducted in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, to suspend foreign assistance to the Gaza Strip until Hamas no longer exercises authority over the Gaza Strip, and to require reports and impose sanctions with respect to the provision of services to Hamas, financial transactions that benefit the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the use of human shields, and for other purposes,” aka, the “Hamas Sanctions Act,” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. This extensive piece of legislation would, among other things: bar any US aid to UNRWA; bar any US aid to Gaza; and bar any US aid to the West Bank; layer on new Iran-related sanctions; and expand sanctions related to use of human shields. Also see: Sen. Cruz Introduces Comprehensive “Hamas Sanctions Act” To Deny Hamas Funds and Safe Havens
  • (NO SUPPORT FOR *ANY* PALESTINIANS ) HR 340: Introduced 11/1/23 by Mast (R-FL) and 31 cosponors (bipartisan), the “Hamas International Financing Prevention Act.” Passed in the House under suspension of the rules 11/1/23 by a vote of 363-46. Floor consideration is here. NOTE: in its original form the bill included a humanitarian exception. That exception was removed during the mark-up of the bill in committee. As noted by Rep. Castro (D-TX),  “I unequivocally condemn Hamas’ attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 innocent people and the kidnapping of hundreds of hostages, including American citizens.  The United States has rightly designated Hamas as a terrorist organization since 1997, and I have fully supported sanctions on Hamas when they have come before the House in the past. However, there is a distinction between Hamas and the innocent Palestinians it holds captive in Gaza, and we must legislate with that understanding. Our efforts to hold Hamas accountable must not come at the expense of those innocent civilians. As originally written, this bill included a broad humanitarian exemption that would have protected the provision of food, medicine, and other lifesaving supplies into Gaza. The State Department and the Treasury both supported that exemption, which aligned with the Biden administration’s goals to weaken Hamas without causing undue civilian suffering and deaths. Unfortunately, the primary sponsor of H.R. 340 offered an amendment during committee markup that removed that exemption, replacing it with a case-by-case waiver that will impede the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. At times here, we need to speculate about the motivations behind specific legislation and legislative decisions. In this case, however, it is part of the committee record. The bill’s sponsor said that he believes ‘any assistance should be slowed down’ and argued that no one can distinguish between innocent Palestinians and Hamas. The situation in Gaza is incredibly dire and becoming more so by the day, which is why President Biden has worked to secure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza and requested funding to support those efforts. The decision to intentionally remove this provision was a choice to hurt people in Gaza who are not responsible for this conflict.” Also see: Mast: Any Supporter of Hamas is Complicit
  • (TARGETING THE PA) HR 3266: Introduced 5/11/23 by Schneider (D-IL) and 34 bipartisan cosponsors, “To require the Secretary of State to submit annual reports reviewing the curriculum used by the Palestinian Authority, and for other purposes,” aka, the “Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act.” Passed by the House 11/1/23 by voice vote. This is legislation that in effect codifies the argument that Palestinians’ negative feelings about and toward Israel/Israelis/Zionism are caused — apparently solely, since no other causes are even hinted at — by textbooks that teach them to feel that way. As opposed to the analysis (which I’m sure backers of this bill would deem antisemitic) that the feeling are the result of, oh, I don’t know, THE WAY PALESTINIANS – INCLUDING KIDS – ARE TREATED BY ISRAEL/ISRAELIS EVERY DAY OF THEIR LIVES, WITH NO HOPE FOR EVER ACHIEVING RIGHT, OR FREEDOM, OR DIGNITY. This bill requires a report to Congress reviewing all aspects of Palestinian curricula to assess how well the education system is doing in teaching Palestinian kids tolerance toward the peace/state that is systematically violating their rights. The fact that the House passed this bill at a moment when Israel is slaughtering 1000s of kids in Gaza (saving them I guess from becoming intolerant of Israel), when schools in Gaza are being used for Palestinians to take refuge in (and even then being bombed by Israel), and when in the West Bank Palestinian towns are on lockdown as settlers – supported and in some cases joined by IDF soldiers – are marauding through villages and forcing their residents to flee. In short, this bill, which the whole House apparently thinks is AWESOME – or, at least, nobody wanted to spend political capital saying otherwise – is the anti-Palestinian (and anti-UNRWA) cherry on top of this week’s anti-Palestinian, dehumanizing Congressional sundae. Floor grandstanding around this theater of the absurd is here [illustrative sample: “We will never arrive at a peaceful solution for Israelis and Palestinians as long as Palestinian children are being taught hatred in textbooks.” – Lawler, R-NY]

Support Israel & Israeli-Americans

  • (DON’T MAKE AMCITS EVACUATED FROM ISRAEL PAY BACK THE US TAXPAYERS) HR 6123 (text): Introduced 10/30/23 by Palmer (R-AL) and 6 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To prohibit the Secretary of State from requiring United States citizens who is evacuated by the Department of State or for which the Department of State provides government assisted departure from a crisis situation abroad to pay for the costs associated with such evacuation or departure.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – Palmer, D’Esposito Introduce ‘Bring Americans Home Act’

Iran & Hizballah

  • (EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE TO PREVENT NUCLEAR IRAN) H. Res. 559: Introduced 6/24/23 by McCaul (R-TX) and now having 38 bipartisan cosponsor, “Declaring it is the policy of the United States that a nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran is not acceptable.” Per the resolution’s resolved clauses, the House declares it to be US policy that: “(1) that a nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran is not acceptable; (2) that Iran must not be able to obtain a nuclear weapon under any circumstances or conditions; (3) to use all means necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon; and (4) to recognize and support the freedom of action of partners and allies, including Israel, to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.” Passed in the House 11/1/23 under suspension of the rules, by a vote of 354-53. Floor grandstanding around this resolution is here.
  • (MORE IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 3774: Introduced 5/31/23 by Lawler (R-NY) and now having 238 cosponsors, “To impose additional sanctions with respect to the importation or facilitation of the importation of petroleum products from Iran, and for other purposes,” aka the “SHIP Act.”  Considered in the House 11/1/23 under suspension of the rules, by a vote of 354-53. Floor grandstanding around this resolution is here. The sponsor of the bill demanded a roll call vote, which has not been taken as of this writing (11/3/23, 3:35pm)
  • (EU MUST DESIGNATE ALL OF HIZBALLAH AS A TERROR ORG!) H. Res. 599:  Introduced 7/18/23 by Schneider (D-IL) and having 41 cosponsors (bipartisan), “Urging the European Union to designate Hizballah in its entirety as a terrorist organization.“ Passed in the House 11/1/23 under suspension of the rules, by a Voice Vote. Floor grandstanding around this resolution is here.
  • (IRAN SANCTIONS ENFORCEMENT) S. 3197: Introduced 11/1/23 by Ernst (R-IA) and Blumenthal (D-CT), “A bill to establish and authorize funding for an Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Fund to enforce United States sanctions with respect to Iran and its proxies and pay off the United States public debt and to codify the Export Enforcement Coordination Center.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: Ernst, Blumenthal Ramp Up Iranian Oil Sanctions Enforcement
  • (IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 6114 (text): Introduced 10/30/23 by Banks (R-IN) and 85 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To impose additional sanctions with respect to Iran and modify other existing sanctions with respect to Iran, and for other purposes,” aka, the ” Maximum Pressure Act.” Referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Oversight and Accountability, Financial Services, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select).  Also see: press release – Rep. Banks Introduces Maximum Pressure Act
  • (TARGETING ROB MALLEY) HR 6119: Introduced 10/30/23 by Mast (R-FL) and 2 cosponsors (both Republican), “To require the Secretary of State to notify Congress when the security clearances of certain senior members of the Department of State are suspended or revoked, and for other purposes.“  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 
  • (IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 6120: Introduced 10/30/23 by Meuser (R-PA) and no cosponsors, “To restore and require the imposition of certain sanctions previously waived with respect to Iran, and for other purposes.“ Referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Financial Services.

Other

  • (HAMAS AS PRETEXT TO CRACK DOWN ON US BORDERS) H.R.6170 (text): Introduced 11/1/23 by Williams (R-TX) and 9 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to cease all immigration functions at ports of entry along the southern border until the United States is secure, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Homeland Security and the Judiciary. Excerpt from press release – “Given the recent attacks on Israel by Hamas, it is clear that Biden’s open border policies are putting American lives at risk by providing a wide-open border to our enemies. My legislation gives the Department of Homeland Security a ‘no excuses’ chance to reset their failed policies by halting immigration functions at our southern border until Sec. Mayorkas can ensure that no terrorists can enter the United States.”
  • (TARGET CAPTAGON) H. Res. 836: Introduced 11/1/23 by Moskowitz (D-FL) and Mills (R-FL), “Urging the United States Government to enhance the Middle East region’s capacity to dismantle and disrupt the illicit production and trafficking of the amphetamine-type stimulant also known as captagon, including the production of precursor chemicals.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: Moskowitz, Mills push to crack down on drug used by Hamas terrorists (Jewish Insider 11/2/23)

 

2. Letters

Israel Emergency Aid

  • (DON’T SEPARATE ISRAEL AID FROM OTHER KEY PRIORITIES!) Schneinder et al letter to House Speaker: On 10/30/23, Rep. Schneider (D-IL) led a letter, cosigned by Wilson (R-SC), Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Kaptur (D-OH) to House Speaker Johson (R-LA), imploring him not to block emergency aid to Israel by demanding that it be broken off from funding for other key issues. The letter reads in part: “we beseech you not to separate aid for Israel’s fight to rescue its hostages and secure its borders from Ukraine’s fight to do the same, or from Taiwan’s efforts to deter a war. All are crucial priorities for the United States. The introduction of offsets, or the potential deferral of our commitments, threatens not only our national interest, but also our long-term fiscal health. It is far better and less costly in blood and treasure to ensure Russia, Iran, and Hamas are defeated in their current wars than it will be if they achieve strategic victories against Ukraine or Israel. We are living through a precarious global period and it is critically important that, as it was in generations past, our partisan politics stop at the water’s edge. In this historic moment, we urge you to bring to the floor the full supplemental funding request supporting Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan together, as well as securing our southern border, so that all Members of Congress can vote their consciences on this essential legislation…” Also see: press release – Schneider Leads Bipartisan Letter Calling for Full Supplemental Request Without Offsets; Bipartisan House letter criticizes Johnson’s Israel supplemental proposal (Jewish Insider)
  • (IRS BUDGET CUTS (linked to Israel aid) WILL HURT FIGHT AGAINST HAMAS) Wyden letter to IRS: On 10/31/23 Sen. Wyden (R-OR) led a letter to the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service drawing a link between proposed Republican funding cuts to the IRS, and the ability of the IRS to police Hamas’ reported use of “fake charities and cryptocurrency to evade sanctions and fund its attacks.”  It requests “a list of the ways that the cuts being contemplated in Congress would undercut the IRS’s ability to address these concerns, as well as the IRS’s ability to improve service, modernize its technology, and to ensure large corporations and the wealthy pay what they owe. Please include how the cuts would affect the IRS’s ability to address fake charities, sanctions evasion, money laundering by terrorists, drug dealers and human traffickers, and other financial crimes.” Also see: press release – Wyden: IRS Budget Cuts Will Damage Efforts to Crack Down on Hamas Funding via Fake Charities, Cryptocurrency and other Schemes [“…House Republicans are proposing to slash funding for IRS enforcement, including enforcement against terrorist groups like Hamas, as the price of aid for Israel.“]
  • (DE-COUPLE ISRAEL AID FROM ALL OTHER THINGS WE DON’T LIKE) Garcia et al letter to Biden: On 10/27/23, Rep. Gracia (R-CA) and 7 House colleagues (all Republicans) sent a letter to POTUS urging him to “ to advocate for the decoupling of supplemental funding for Israel from a larger package that includes additional supplemental funds for Ukraine.” The letter goes on: “you accuse House Republicans of playing ‘political games’, but Mr. President, the American people know that it is you who are playing games by attempting to tie support for Israel to more than $60 billion in additional funds for Ukraine. Funds that your administration has failed to demonstrate will deliver a decisive edge to Ukrainian forces who are engaged in trench warfare the likes of which has not been seen since 1914. In doing so, you are risking the possibility that important funding for Israel’s defense will be delayed or defeated because of opposition in the House and Senate to your ‘blank check’ strategy in Ukraine.” The letter lists criticisms of the Biden Admin’s Ukraine policy, and closes: “it is critical that you publicly request that funding for the defense of Israel be considered standalone on its own merits. Failure to make such a request would lead to your actions further endangering Israel during one of the most dangerous conflicts since its founding.” Also see: Rep. Garcia Leads Call for President Biden to Decouple Israel and Ukraine Aid

Israel Hostages in Gaza

  • (QATAR – HELP FREE ISRAELI HOSTAGES!) Cardin et al letter to Qatari Prime Minister: On 10/31/23 (or thereabouts), Sens. Cardin (D-MD), Graham (R-SC), Blumenthal (D-CT), Collins (R-ME), Coons (D-DE),  Booker (D-NJ), and Reed (D-RI) sent a letter to Qatari Prime Minister Al-Thani, “regarding Qatar’s important role in mediating the release of hostages taken during Hamas’ heinous October 7 attack on Israeli civilians.” The letter notes: “We appreciate the work Qatar has undertaken so far in this regard, but we need to urge your government to redouble its efforts to alleviate this tragedy and return all those kidnapped by Hamas, especially the women, children, elderly, and those in poor health who are still being held in Gaza.” It urges the Qatari government to, “build on the progress made in using your government’s contacts and goodwill, including those with the political and military leadership of Hamas, to intensify your government’s advocacy for securing the release of those still being held hostage inside Gaza.“

Americans in Israel and Gaza Strip

  • (HELP GET AMERICANS OUT OUT OF GAZA) Pascrell letter to POTUS: On 10/31/23, Rep. Pascrell (D-NJ) sent a letter to President Biden and National Security Advisor Sullivan “regarding the approximately 600 Americans who remain trapped in Gaza.” Pascrell blames Hamas for preventing the Americans from leaving, writing, “I have heard directly from constituents who have family members and loved ones that wish to leave Gaza but are unable to do so because of Hamas. On behalf of my constituents, I implore you to use every possible means to get this border crossing open for American citizens.” He goes on: “It must be a top priority to secure the release of every hostage Hamas holds and those being forced to wait at the border, especially American citizens. Hamas is essentially holding these Palestinian-Americans hostage as well.” Also see: press release – Pascrell Calls on Biden Admin to Help Americans Seeking to Return Home

Palestine Aid/Palestinian welfare

  • (PROTECT PALESTINIAN COMMUNITIES IN WEST BANK) Van Hollen et al letter to Blinken: On 11/1/23, Sens. Van Hollen (D-MD), Luján (D-NM), and Merkley (D-OR) sent a letter to SecState Blinken about ongoing settler attacks against the Palestinian village of Susya, and noting: “We are profoundly concerned that the forced displacement of Susya would further embolden violent settler attacks and intimidation against the surrounding communities. Since the Israel-Hamas War began, there has been a growing number of incidents in which settlers have been documented attacking nearby Palestinian communities, at times escorted by Israeli soldiers. These actions endanger the possibility of a two-state solution…” The letter closes: ” we urge you to immediately and strongly convey to the Israeli government its responsibility to uphold the rule of law in the West Bank and protect civilians under its jurisdiction, while holding perpetrators of these attacks to account. The destabilizing impact of such continued violence and further displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank threatens to expand the current war to another devastating front. We echo President Biden’s concern that attacks by ‘extremist settlers’ amounts to ‘pouring gasoline on the already burning fires in the region.” Also see: press release – Van Hollen, Luján, Merkley Urge Biden Administration to Protect Palestinian Communities in the West Bank
  • (NO HUMANITARIAN AID FOR GAZA – aka, the cruelty is, indeed, the point) Blackburn et al letter to Schumer: On 10/31/23, Sen. Blackburn (R-TN) led a letter, cosigned by 11 Senate colleagues (all Republicans) to Senate Majority leader Schumer (D-NY), “to demand that, during Israel’s existential war against Iran’s terrorist proxies, you reject the billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance requested for Gaza as part of President Biden’s $106 billion aid package.” The letter goes on to argue that “sending aid to the Palestinians in Gaza is akin to funneling aid directly to Hamas. The president’s decision to allocate additional funding, in addition to the $100 million in aid previously announced, will inevitably end up in the hands of a genocidal Palestinian terrorist organization that has evidenced its desire to destroy the Jewish state.” The letter goes on to argue that every cent of aid to Gaza is stolen or benefits Hamas, including funding to UNRWA. It closes: “We implore you to ensure the U.S. does not send aid that will only strengthen Hamas’ ability to murder more Jews. This is the time to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our closest ally in the Middle East as they fight for their very existence.” Also see: press release – Blackburn, Colleagues To Schumer: Reject Biden Request For Gaza Humanitarian Aid That Hamas Will Steal
  • (CONCERN ABOUT ISRAELI GROUND INVASTION & POSSIBLE RE-OCCUPATION) Sanders et al letter to Biden: On 11/1/23 Sens. Sanders (I-VT), Warren (D-MA), Welch (D-VT), and Merkley (D-OR) sent a to President Biden expressing serious concern about what Israel’s ongoing ground invasion of Gaza and potential re-occupation of the area,  could mean, “both in terms of the long-term security of Israel and the well-being of the Palestinian residents of Gaza.” They assert: “Congress needs more information about Israel’s long-term plans and goals, as well as the United States Government’s assessments of those prospects.” They go on to pose a list of questions to the Biden Administration, and close: “...Just a few months ago, thousands of people defied Hamas’ authoritarian rule to protest on the streets of Gaza. Their voices are silenced now, but there can be no long-term solution to this ongoing crisis without a serious effort to address Palestinian demands for peace, legitimate political representation, and a vibrant economy. The United States must take a leading role in charting out a future that respects the lives of Palestinians and Israelis alike. We can start by answering the questions laid out above. We request that you respond in writing and that your administration provide a briefing, in a classified setting as needed, in sufficient time for us to consider the President’s budget request with the necessary information.” Also see: press release – NEWS: Sanders, Warren, Welch, Merkley Send Urgent Letter to President Biden Amid Israel’s Invasion and Potential Occupation of Gaza

Targeting Palestine Rights/Free Speech Critical of Israel [Welcome to the New McCarthyism…]/Antisemitism

  • (DO MORE TO FIGHT ANTISEMITISM!) Tester letter to Mayorkas and Wray: On 11/2/23, Sen. Tester (R-MT) sent a letter to HSA Secretary Mayorkas and FBI Director Wray raising concerns about rising antisemitism in Montana. He links this call to the Israel/Hamas crisis: ““Since the abhorrent Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel in October, we have seen a sharp increase of antisemitic threats and violence throughout America…” He goes on to make clear that the issue started before October 7 and the source was not people who have anything to do with Israel/Palestine issues: “We are seeing a rise in anti-Semitism in rural states like Montana, where in my recent meetings and conversations with Jewish leaders and members of their synagogues they expressed to me that they are now more fearful and under increased threat. Just last month, we saw individuals displaying xenophobic, white supremacist and antisemitic banners outside of Har Shalom synagogue in Missoula, Montana and at multiple locations across the city. There is no place for hate or discrimination in any form in Montana.” Also see: press release – Tester Condemns Anti-Semitism in Montana, Presses Administration for Resources to Protect Rural Synagogues
  • (ATTACKING UNIVERSITIES FOR NOT PROTECTING JEWISH STUDENTS FROM ANTISEMITISM IN THE FORM OF CRITICISM OF ISRAEL/SUPPORT FOR PALESTINIAN RIGHTS) Norman et al letters to Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale: On 11/1/23, Rep. Norman (R-SC) led letters to the presidents of 5 top US universities attacking them for their “institution’s silence in condemning the terrorist attack that took place by Hamas on October 7, 2023, against the nation of Israel” and attacking each campus for a specific set of sins (summarized in Norman’s press release): Columbia University – “At Columbia University, there was a recent assault against an Israel student, pro-Palestine protests on campus, and a tenured professor who described the Hamas attack as “awesome stunning victory“; Cornell University – “At Cornell University, a professor described the Hamas attacks as ‘energizing’ and ‘exhilarating’; Harvard University – “At Harvard University, student organizations publicly blamed Israel for Hamas’ attacks“; University of Pennsylvania – “UPenn hosted multiple openly antisemitic speakers on campus [a reference to the recent Palestine Writes literary festival]”; and Yale University – ” At Yale, a professor justified Hamas killing Israelis and described Israel as ‘a murderous, genocidal state‘”.  The letters all close with: “We implore you to act swiftly and decisively. It is your responsibility to condemn this terrorist attack unequivocally and publicly, disassociate the university from any student organization or professor endorsing violence, and take concrete steps to ensure that such ideologies that support and defend the actions of antisemitism and barbarism find no refuge at [university name]. The world is watching, and the credibility and integrity of your institution are at stake. It is not just a matter of issuing a statement; it is about taking a stand against hatred and terrorism and demonstrating that [university name] is a leader in academia and will unequivocally and without reservation denounce the voices and actions of evil.”
  • (HOLD BIDEN ADMIN ACCOUNTABLE FOR COMBATING CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM) Cassidy et al letter to Sanders: On 10/31/23 Sen. Cassidy (R-LA) let a letter, cosigned by 7 Senate colleagues (all Republicans) to HELP Committee Chair, Sen. Sanders (I-VT), urging him to “hold a bipartisan hearing on ensuring safe learning environments for Jewish students, as required by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” The letter asserts: “The terrorist attack of October 7 was the largest murder of Jewish people in one day since the Holocaust. It led to a noticeable rise in anti-Semitic activity, specifically on college campuses. Under your leadership, the Committee has quickly organized and held hearings on other topics related to recent events. This issue certainly demands the Committee’s direct attention and engagement from the Senate-confirmed Department of Education officials we oversee.” It also states: “This hearing should be focused on the Department of Education’s anti-Semitism campaign over the last four months, its recent announcement to expedite processing of discrimination complaints under Title VI, the impact these actions have had, and how the Office of Civil Rights is ensuring safe learning environments for students in light of recent events. A non-government panel could share what it is like to be a student on campus, egregious examples of incited violence, and what institutions of higher education are doing to support students and maintain safe learning environments.” Also see: press release – Collins, Colleagues Urge HELP Committee Chair Sanders to Hold Hearing on Biden Administration’s Efforts to Protect Jewish Students Amid Escalating Antisemitic Attacks on College Campuses; Budd, Colleagues Urge Sanders to Hold Hearing on Antisemitic Attacks on College Campuses
  • (ADDRESS ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS) Rosen letter to Cardona: On 10/31/23, Sen. Rosen (D-NV) sent a letter to Education Secretary Cardona, opening: “I am deeply disturbed by the increase in antisemitic incidents, including hate speech and intimidation, on college and university campuses across the United States following Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. Schools have a legal responsibility to protect their students from discrimination, yet many university presidents and administrators have failed to forcefully condemn antisemitic speech and incidents on campuses in the wake of Hamas’s terrorist attack. No student should have to fear for their safety or ability to study in a safe environment, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or race. I, therefore, strongly urge you to take immediate action to keep Jewish students safe, including by forming a task force within the Department of Education dedicated to countering campus antisemitism and led by a designated senior official, issuing updated guidance to college and university administrators making clear the consequences of failing to ensure the safety of Jewish students, and convening a high-level meeting to develop actionable strategies.” Also see: press release – Rosen Calls on Department of Education to Take Immediate Action to Address Rise of Antisemitism on College Campuses
  • (PROTECT JEWISH STUDENTS ON CAMPUS) Tillis et al letter to Cardona: On 10/26/23, Sen. Tillis (R-NC) led a letter, cosigned by 15 Senate colleagues (all Republicans), to Education Secretary Cardona, expressing that they are ” significantly concerned that your Department is not ensuring American universities are fostering a safe learning environment for all students after the terrorist organization Hamas’ violent attack on civilians, including Americans and Israeli citizens.” The letter contends that in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, “university faculty and student organizations supporting Palestinians held ‘National Day of Resistance’ events on many American college campuses. These events attempted to justify the recent mass murder of Jews—the most in a single day since the Holocaust.” The letter goes on to suggest that this constitutes “harassment or the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students” which is “unacceptable and invokes the responsibility of the Department to uphold Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI states, ‘No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.’” The letter goes on to accuse colleges and universities of apparently being “unwilling or unable to uphold their legal obligations under Title VI,” resulting in the signers of this letter call on the Department of Education to “use its full resources to enforce the law.”  It goes on to ask for a briefing (by November 9th) to discuss: “1. The Department’s plan to promptly move the Antisemitism Awareness Campaign forward in the face of increased, brazen antisemitism at educational institutions across the country; 2. Data about antisemitic related complaints to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR); 3. Whether OCR has begun any compliance reviews based on antisemitic harassment complaints; and4. Whether OCR has undertaken any directed investigations based on news reports of antisemitic harassment.” Also see: press release – Tillis, Colleagues Urge Biden Administration to Protect Jewish Students Amid Rising Antisemitism on College Campuses

Using Hamas Attack to Target Border Security & Immigrants (both legal & illegal)

  • (TELL CONGRESS ABOUT TERRORISTS COMING THROUGH OUR BORDERS) Roy letter to Mayorkas: On 11/2/23 Rep. Roy (R-TX) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, opening: “In FY 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered 169 KSTs between ports of entry, setting a new KST arrest record and surpassing the KST encounter totals of the past six fiscal years combined.  In fact, the Southwest border is so prone to infiltration by individuals with ties to extremist groups, CBP recently issued a memo warning of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah members potentially crossing the border.” Also see: press release – Rep. Roy demands answers from DHS on number of terrorists coming through border
  • (SECURE OUR BORDER FROM IRAN/HAMAS AND OTHERS & TARGET IMMIGRANTS!) Alford/Schmitt et al letter to SecDef & DHS Sec: On 10/31/23, Rep. Alford (R-MO) and Sen. Schmitt (R-MO) led a letter, cosigned by 22 House and Senate colleagues (all Republicans), to SecDef Austin and DHS Sec Mayorkas, expressing “that adversaries are exploiting our wide-open Southern border.” The letter goes on: “In light of the barbaric attack in Israel, we are also concerned about Iran’s proxies and other terrorist groups taking advantage of the Southern border to launch a terror attack from within our homeland. As you are well aware, Hamas terrorists breached Israel’s borders in an unprecedented multi-pronged infiltration using parachutes, motorboats, motorbikes, and bulldozers.  This invasion occurred despite Israel’s extensive border fortifications.  These attacks from Hamas and Hezbollah on Israel have sadly so far resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 Israelis and 31 Americans. Given this Administration has left our Southern border wide open, our nation is threatened. In 2023, terrorists used the Southern border to their advantage.  It’s no secret that Iran wants to assassinate U.S. officials,  and has repeatedly attacked U.S. service members through their proxies in the region. This Administration’s failure to secure our border is a deep vulnerability that only invites future threats from various terrorist groups.” The letter goes on to request answers to a series of questions, including: “Considering the ongoing conflict in Israel, please provide confirmation or intelligence as to whether Hamas, Hezbollah, or any Iranian proxy agents have infiltrated our Southern border. If this has occurred, how has the threat been mitigated?” Also see: press release – Congressman Alford and Senator Schmitt Lead Bicameral Letter Concerning Terrorists Crossing the Southern Border; GOP lawmakers concerned about adversaries exploiting southern border vulnerabilities (Washington Examiner)
  • (BEWARE OF BOTH ILLEGAL & LEGAL IMMIGRANTS!) Young et al letter to Biden: On 10/30/23 Sen. Young (R-IN) led a letter, cosigned by 10 Senate colleagues (all Republicans) to President Biden, opening: “The recent brutal and reprehensible attacks by Hamas against Israel underscore the importance of vigilance against global terrorist groups both internationally and domestically…” The letter goes on to demand answers to a list of questions, including: “Given the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the possibility that Hamas or other regional terrorist organizations may seek to expand the conflict and incite further violence against the United States, how have you assessed any changes in threats to the homeland?.”  It adds: “Hamas’ devastating attack, combined with its ties to entities such as the Iranian government and Hezbollah, underscores the necessity for a comprehensive assessment of its potential to reach targets beyond the immediate region. Its active publication of digital propaganda, reminiscent of ISIS strategies, further complicates this picture and potentially expands its scope of influence. These narratives, capable of reaching audiences beyond the Middle East, have the potential to inspire or influence disaffected individuals within our borders and those of our allies and partners.” The letter then demands, in effect, the targeting of not just illegal immigrants trying to cross U.S. borders, but legal immigrants as well, noting: “numerous acts of terror on U.S. soil, reminiscent of the ISIS-driven attacks in San Bernardino, Orlando, and New York from 2015 to 2017, have primarily been executed by domestic individuals or lawful immigrants, rather than foreign infiltrators” and suggesting that “The call for a ‘Day of Rage’ by Hamas leadership [which did not in fact involve any attacks or violence in or on U.S. soil] must be seen as an incitement to violence, and underscores the need to remain vigilant against ‘copycat’ actors or radicalized individuals. International terrorist organizations likely recognize that their effectiveness is increased by inspiring individuals already within our borders as opposed to breaching them.” Also see: press release – Young, Colleagues Urge President Biden to Address Rise in Terrorists Crossing Southern Border
  • (NEED INFO ON TERRORISTS AT OUR BORDERS!) Grassley letters to ATF, CBP and HSI: On 10/30/23, Sen. Grassley (R-IA) sent letters to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) seeking data on the volume and nature of weapons identified or recovered at the southern border. His letter includes: “The recent heinous attacks by Hamas terrorists, who used arms and explosive-rigged drones against Israeli civilians, underscores the very real risk that could happen at our southern border and against Americans. Moreover, recent reports warning of the risk that Hamas and Hezbollah fighters could soon attempt to enter the U.S. through Mexico highlights that the need to immediately secure our southern border is paramount.” Also see: press release – Grassley Seeks Data on Armed Ground, Air Incursions on Southern Border as Terror Threat Spikes in U.S.

Iran

  • (STOP IRAN OIL EXPORTS TO CHINA) Gallego/Bacon letter to Blinken & Yellen: On 10/31/23, Rep. Gallego (D-AZ) and Bacon (R-NE) sent a letter to SecState Blinken and Treasury Secretary Yellen, opening: “We are deeply concerned with the Iranian regime’s continued export of crude oil to China. In the wake of Hamas’ barbaric terrorist attack on Israeli civilians on October 7th, which killed over 1400 people, the United States must use all available tools at its disposal to halt Iran’s financing, arming, and training of terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah.” The letter goes on to requests answers to a series of questions: “1. What is the administration’s plan to stem the flow of illicit Iranian oil sales to China? 2. How is the administration preparing for an expected rise in oil prices resulting from instability in the Middle East? 3. How will the U.S. counter the economic benefits buyers might derive from buying discounted Iranian oil? 4. Is the administration planning to increase interdiction of illicit Iranian exports? 5. What steps are the administration taking to deter Iran from attacks against Western shipping? 6. What, if any new sanctions are the administration planning to put in place on Iran?” Also see: press release – Gallego, Bacon Urge State and Treasury Stop Illicit Iranian Oil Exports to China

Other

  • (BOYCOTT SOUTH AFRICA FOR ITS RELATIONS WITH IRAN & HAMAS) Risch letter to Blinken: On 11/1/23, Sen. Risch (R-ID) sent a letter to SecState Blinken and U.S. trade Representative Tai reiterating concerns regarding the Biden Administration’s decision to hold the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum in South Africa.  The letter opens: “I write to reiterate my strong concerns regarding the Biden Administration’s decision to hold the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa. I was also disappointed to learn that South Africa will remain fully eligible for AGOA’s duty-free trade preferences in 2024, despite South Africa’s continued actions that subvert U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. South Africa’s relationship with Russia, and most recently with Iran and Hamas, undermine necessary eligibility safeguards in the AGOA statute, and the administration failed to take standard formal actions to communicate AGOA-related concerns to South Africa through a warning letter or demarche. The administration’s handling of AGOA, exemplified by its posture toward South Africa, make it clear that Congress must take course-correcting action.” Also see: press release – Risch: Biden Admin is Wrong to Host AGOA Summit in South Africa
  • (RE-DESIGNATE ANSARALLAH AS FTO) Hagerty et al letter to SecState Blinken: On 11/1/23 Sen. Hagerty (R-TN) led a letter, cosigned by 14 Senate colleagues (all Republicans), urging SecState Blinken to re-designate Ansarallah (aka the Houthis), as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The letter opens: “We urge you to re-designate Iran-backed Ansarallah, known also as the Houthis, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) due to the group’s brazen attacks against Israel—likely at the behest of Iran’s terror-sponsoring regime—and its continued acts of terrorism since you revoked the Trump Administration’s January 2021 FTO designation on February 12, 2021. Re-designating the Houthis as an FTO would send a powerful message that the United States views this group as a clear threat to our Allies and partners and to regional stability in the Middle East.” Also see: press release – Hagerty Leads Colleagues Urging Biden Admin to Re-Designate Iran-Backed Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization

 

3. Hearings & Markups

November 8, 2023: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “Friend and Ally: U.S. Support for Israel After Hamas’ Barbaric Attack.” Scheduled witnesses will be Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf; and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Dana Stroul.

November 8, 2023: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “United Nations’ Bigotry Towards Israel: UNRWA Anti-semitism Poisons Palestinian Youth.” Panel 1 of this hearing will feature Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan (Erdan is on the record with the position that UNRWA – by its very existence- “perpetuates” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has attacked the Biden Administration for funding UNRWA, arguing among other things that “We believe that this U.N. agency for so-called ‘refugees’ should not exist in its current format“). Panel 2 will consist of anti-UNRWA campaigner Hillel Neuer of UN Watch, and Jonathan Lincoln, Interim Director of the Center for Jewish Civilization.

November 8, 2023: The House Financial Services Committee was supposed to be holding a hearing entitled, “A Review of Our Sanctions Regime and Efforts to Combat Terrorist Financing.” That hearing has been postponed (no new date announced yet).

October 31, 2023: The Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing entitled, A Review of the National Security Supplemental Request. Witnesses were: SecState Blinken (testimony) and SecDef Austin (testimony). Also see:

October 31, 2023: The Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled, Threats to the Homeland. Witnesses were Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas (testimony), FBI Director Wray (testimony), and Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Abizaid (testimony). All three witnesses focused intensively on Israel/Hamas and potential related threats to Americans. Also see:

 

4. Selected Media & Press releases/statements

Aid to Israel

Partisan Issues & Israel

Targeting Academia

Other stuff

1.Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

NOTE: Once again this week, given the scope and pace of current events — the absolute horror show of Hamas’s attack on Israel and the Israel reaction which at this point is clearly incipient genocide/ethnic cleansing — and given the for the most part morally reprehensible responses from members of Congress in terms of a non-stop stream of dehumanization of Palestinian civilians and support/celebration of military action targeting them, there is no “On the Record” section this week, and only an abbreviated Media section. Check members accounts on X or their websites for yourself if you want to see what they are saying. In general, if they are Democrats the message remains: total support for/solidarity with Israel in its campaign and still very little (a bit more than in past weeks, so I guess that’s something) concern for Palestinian civilians or what Israel is doing to them. From Republicans, it is largely the same, plus an almost universal narrative connecting the Hamas attack to Iran and implicitly or explicitly making the case for war against (and regime change in) Iran (and some Democrats are on these same talking points). Plus this week we have the continued demonization – from both sides of the aisle – of Jewish Americans and members of Congress who dare to call for a ceasefire or to defend Palestinian rights, and further escalation of attacks on free speech critical of Israel or defending Palestinians/Palestinian rights, especially on campuses. It remains just too much and too soul-crushing to follow, let alone to try to document, comprehensively while also following the actual horror-show of genocide unfolding on the ground.

New from FMEP:

  • Upcoming FMEP webinar series: Catastrophe in Gaza: What’s Next? — a 2-part series. Part 1: Monday, October 30th, 2023, 1:00pm ET, ft. Inès Abdel Razek (Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy), Fadi Quran (Avaaz), & Lara Friedman (FMEP); RSVP for PART 1 HERE; Part 2: Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 12:00pm ET, ft. Sari Bashi (Human Rights Watch), Amjad Iraqi (+972 Magazine), & Lara Friedman (FMEP); RSVP for PART 2 HERE

 

1. Bills, Resolutions & letters

NOTE: This week the House finally elected a new Speaker – Rep. Johnon (R-LA). The first thing that Speaker did when regular business was re-started was…have the pass House H. Res. 771, a resolution expressing support for Israel, support for Israel unlimited retaliation against all Palestinians in Gaza, etc. See below for details. In addition, Speaker Johnson has also said that the first piece of binding legislation he will bring to the floor will be…legislation to provide emergency funding for Israel (responding to the Biden Administration request to Congress for this funding). This opens what is already shaping up to be some serious drama in Congress:

  • The Biden Administration and some Democrats wanting to combine emergency aid for Israel (which has nearly wall-to-wall bipartisan support) with emergency aid for Ukraine (which Republicans want to block). Republicans are alreadying making the case — with letters, legislation, and media statements — that by trying to combine aid for Israel and Ukraine, Biden is cynically exploiting the crisis facing Israel, and in so doing is threatening Israel’s best interests. As of this writing it is not at all clear how this will play out in the political game of chicken, where each side will have to calculate who will get blamed if funding for Israel gets held up. [see letters & legislation below and in last week’s Round-Up]
  • In addition, Leader Johnson has also stated that the more than $14 billion in emergency funding for Israel requesed by Biden, which Republicans absolutely support, will have to be paid for by cuts from other regular funding bills. This, to be clear, is NOT how emergency funding normally works (regardless of which party is in the White House or in control of Congress). Normally, there is the budget – and funding bills have to fit in that budget – and there are emergency expenses, like war, which are funded outside of that budget, since they are…emergencies that were not budgeted for in the original budget. What that means here is: while there is wall-to-wall support in Congress for more than $14 BILLION in emergency aid to Israel, that aid will likely be harder to sell to their constituents if/when they understand that it will be paid for, dollar for dollar, from the increasingly small budgets that Congress permits to support services and resources for American taxpayers.
  • Also, for some context on where Speaker Johnson stands on Israel-related matters, see: Haaretz 10/25/23: New House Speaker Mike Johnson, an Evangelical Christian, Holds Ties to Israel’s Far Right [“...Louisiana Rep. Johnson traveled to Israel in February 2020 with an under-the-radar group called the 12Tribe Films Foundation. The organization’s CEO is a social media activist named Avi Abelow, who emigrated from New York more than 30 years ago at age 18 and lives in the West Bank settlement of Efrat…Johnson’s first stop on his Abelow-organized visit was to the Kohelet Policy Forum – the conservative think tank that has been an essential partner to the government’s efforts to weaken the judiciary. The fourth-term congressman also visited the Temple Mount compound alongside Yehudah Glick, a former Likud lawmaker who has led the fight to change the status quo and permit Jewish prayer at the flash point Jerusalem holy site – in opposition to both official Israeli government policy as well as that of the international community, particularly the Biden administration and Jordan…“]
  • Finally, it is worth noting that Biden’s emergency funding request includes (per its own explicit introduction/explanation) funding for programs to support Palestinians who in the near future might discover that they no longer live in Gaza – but hey, probably nothing to worry about, right?

Targeting Free Speech/Protest Related to Israel

  • (ATTACKING US SCHOOLS & STUDENTS FOR ENGAGING IN/ALLOWING PROTEST IN SUPPORT OF PALESTINIANS IN GAZA; ACCUSING THEM OF ENDANGERING JEWISH STUDENTS & SUPPORTING/ENGAGING IN ANTISEMITISM) S. Res. 418: Introduced 10/19/23 by Hawley (R-MO) and 3 Republican cosponsors, “A resolution condemning Hamas and antisemitic student activities on college campuses in the United States.” Passed by the Senate 10/26/2023 by a Voice Vote. Floor grandstanding is here.
  • (ATTACKING US SCHOOLS & STUDENTS FOR ENGAGING IN/ALLOWING PROTEST IN SUPPORT OF PALESTINIANS IN GAZA; ACCUSING THEM OF ENDANGERING JEWISH STUDENTS & SUPPORTING/ENGAGING IN ANTISEMITISM) S. Res. 437 (text): Introduced 10/26/23 by Blackburn (R-TN) and 3 cosponsors (bipartisan, including Van Hollen, D-MD), “A resolution condemning antisemitism at institutions of higher education in the United States and encouraging college and university leaders, administrators, and faculty to speak out against antisemitism.” Passed by the Senate 10/26/2023 by a Voice Vote.  Floor grandstanding is here.  NOTE: While this is a non-binding resolution, the content [the resolution includes, “Whereas the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance has  developed a widely accepted working definition of antisemitism which can serve as a helpful tool for education administrators and faculty to identify antisemitism“] and the timing suggest that it is intended to lay the groundwork for passage of binding legislation, in the form of the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which perhaps not coincidentally was re-introduced in the Senate the same day this resolution was introduced and passed. Also see Blackburn press release, Blackburn Leads Resolution Condemning Antisemitism in Higher Education

Erasing the distinction between punishing terrorists & punishing all Palestinians

  • (DEPORT PALESTINIANS FROM THE U-S-A!!!!) HR 6099: Introduced 10/26/23 by Ogles (R-TN) and Tiffany (R-WI), “To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the expedited removal of aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States and are residents of Palestinian-administered territories within Judea and Samaria or Gaza.“Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. NOTE: See below for analysis of Ogles’s efforts to put a new linguistic formula into U.S. law to describe and govern U.S. policy vis-a-vis the West Bank and Gaza. Notably, Ogles’s approach appears to be evolving in real time: his 10/25/23 legislation referred to “Palestinian-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria or Gaza,” while this bill, introduced a day later, downgrades the Palestinian role to “Palestinian-administered territories within Judea and Samaria or Gaza.”
  • (BARRING US FUNDING TO “PALESTINIAN-CONTROLLED AREAS OF JUDEA, SAMARIA & GAZA, ENDORSING ONE-STATE SOLUTION) HR 6060: Introduced 10/25/23 by Ogles (R-TN) and 7 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To prohibit any United States assistance from being made available for programs, projects, or activities located in Palestinian-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria or Gaza, and for other purposes” aka, the “Defunding Israel’s Enemies Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.  As reported in the Daily Caller, “Republican Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, alongside a coalition of GOP representatives, introduced a bill Wednesday that would keep U.S. funds from any Palestinian-controlled area of Judea and Samaria, as well as Gaza, until Hamas agrees to forever cease its hostilities towards Israel.” NOTE: (1) this bill on effect seeks to legislate collective punishment against all Palestinians for the positions/actions of Hamas; (2) it introduces a new linguistic and legal formula to US policy, with the reference to “Palestinian-controlled areas of Judea and Samaria or Gaza.” In addition to replacing the term “West Bank” with the settler/evangelical-preferred biblical term “Judea and Samaria,” this term suggests that the U.S. as a matter of policy distinguishes between areas of the West Bank over which Israel maintains full control (i.e., the 60% of the West Bank that is Area C) and the remaining 40% that is under varying degrees of control of the Palestinian Authority. (3) It appears to give a green-light for US assistance in Area C, and, potentially, any additional areas of the West Bank that Israel may re-assert total control over (or annex) or parts/all of Gaza if Israel re-asserts control over there in the future. Ogles to the Daily Caller: “It’s time for Congress to retake their pocketbook and stop any money that goes to a radicalized and evil nation. America must defend the Holy Land, and handing money to countries that intentionally wish death on God’s chosen people is dishonorable and despicable.” The Daily Caller also notes: “The bill recognizes that if Palestinian terrorists such as Hamas continue to fail to recognize Israel’s right to exist, then a one-state solution in support of the country may be the solution to the conflict.”
  • (NO US $$ TO INTL ORGS THAT FUND TERROR) HR 6066 (text): Introduced 10/25/23 by Tenney (R-NY) and Bacon (R-NE), “To prohibit funding to international organizations that provide resources or other support to foreign terrorist organizations, and for other purposes,” aka the “‘Halting Appropriations for Terrorist-supporting Institutions that Knowingly provide Valued Assets to Hamas and Hezbollah Act.’’  This bill would require the Department of State to submit a far-reaching certification every 180 days “with respect to each international organization operating in Gaza or Judea and Samaria to which the United States Government provides funding,” certifying that the organizations, their employees, the operations, and any other aspect you can think of is in no way engaged in, related to, supportive of, or arguably breathing the same air as any FTO or anyone associated with a FTO. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.  Also see: Congresswoman Tenney Introduces the HATIKVAHH Act to Prevent International Organizations from Funding Terrorist Organizations; Also see: one-pager explaining the bill [and which makes pretty clear that it is aimed first and foremost at UNRWA]. Also see: Congress Eyes Crackdown on US Funding for Iran-Backed Terror Orgs (Washington Free Beacon)

Standing with Israel

  • (STANDING WITH ISRAEL, BACKING ISRAELI RETRIBUTION, TARGETING ALL FUNDING FOR PALESTINIANS, TARGETING IRAN) H. Res. 771 (text): Introduced 10/11/23 by McCaul (R-TX) and now having 425 cosponsors, “Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.” PASSED in the House 10/25/23 by a vote of 412-10, with 6 voting “present.” The “no” and “present” votes were: Bowman (D-NY), Bush (D-MO), Carson (D-IN), Green (D-TX), Lee (D-PA), Massie (R-KY), Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Omar (D-MN), Ramirez (D-IL) and Tlaib (D-MI). The “present” votes were: Casar (D-TX), Castro (D-TX), Garcia (D-IL), Jayapal (D-WA), Pressley (D-MA), and Velazquez (D-NY).  See Section 4, below, for statements from members who voted not/present explaining their positions. Floor consideration is here.
  • (EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR ISRAEL – AND *ONLY* ISRAEL) S. 3135 (text): Introduced 10/25/23 by Marshall (R-KS) and 3 Republican colleagues, “A bill making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Israel for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes,” aka, the “The Israel Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023.” Under the bill, the U.S would provide Israel (in addition to almost $4 billion in regular annual militar funding):  $10.6 BILLION in aid via DOD, $3.5 BILLION in foreign military financing (i.e., money to buy weapons), and $8.225 BILLION in additional available resources via drawdown authorities — for a total of $22.325 BILLION in US funds/resources; in addition to (a paltry) $200 million for protection of U.S. diplomatic missions.  NOTE: This bill embodies Republicans’ desire to support emergency aid, but not for any other Biden Admin priorities, most notably Ukraine. Their hope, clearly, is that they can block a broader bill and force Democrats and the Biden Administration to accept Israel-only emergency funding legislation, in part by suggesting that doing otherwise is anti-Israel [as Marshall notes in his press release – “My colleagues and I firmly believe that any aid to Israel should not be used as leverage to send tens of billions of dollars to Ukraine. Any package that does so would result in funds and resources being delayed in Israel’s time of need.”]  This bill also states that none of the funding made available under this bill may be used  “(1) in connection with the war in Ukraine; or (2) for assistance to any entity that is—(A) located in the territory of Gaza; or (B) is controlled or influenced by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any other organization designated by the Secretary of State a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (820 U.S.C. 1189).” Also see: Senators Marshall, Vance, Lee, and Cruz Introduce Legislation To Give Immediate Assistance and Aid to Israel
  • (*PROBABLY*EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR ISRAEL – AND *ONLY* ISRAEL) HR 6018: Introduced 10/20/23 by Tenney (R-NY), “Making supplemental appropriations, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on the Budget. NOTE: Text for this bill is not yet in the Congressional Record, but on 10/25/23 Tenney published a press release – Congresswoman Tenney Proposes $14.056 Billion in Targeted Security Aid for Israel. Tenney notes: “President Biden recently proposed a $105 billion omnibus package of aid for Israel, Ukraine, the U.S. border, Taiwan, and other priorities. Tenney’s bill would include just the funding for Israel and reaffirms her commitment to stand alone funding bills. “
  • (HONORING HAMAS’S ISRAELI & AMERICAN VICTIMS) H. Res. 803: Introduced 10/20/23 by LaLota (R-NY) and 41 cosponsors (38 Republicans plus Moskowitz, D-FL, Nadler, D-NY, and Goldman, D-NY), “Honoring the American and Israeli civilians murdered and unaccounted for in the brutal attacks by Hamas terrorists.” NOTE: The heinous attack Hamas carried out on 10/7/23 also involved the killing and kidnapping of people who are neither Israeli nor American.

Iran

  • (NO US TRAVEL TO IRAN) HR 6010: Introduced 10/20/23 by McCormick (R-GA) and 4 Republican cosponsors, “To invalidate the use of United States passports to travel to Iran, and for other purposes.”
  • (IRAN SANCTIONS ENFORCEMENT) HR 6015 (text): Introduced 10/20/23 by Leutkemeyer (R-MO) and no cosponsors, “To require the President to prevent the abuse of financial sanctions exemptions by Iran, and for other purposes.”  NOTE: This bill was marked up 10/25/23 in the House Foreign Affairs Committee (see Section 3, below).
  • (REVOKE IRAN SANCTIONS WAIVER/FREEZE IRAN $$ FOR PRISONER EXCHANGE) HR 6017: Introduced 10/20/23 by Steel (R-CA) and 4 Republican cosponsors, “To revoke the waiver determination submitted to Congress on September 11, 2023, with respect to certain sanctions imposed with respect to Iran.” Also see: Steel Introduces Freeze of $6 Billion Iran Payoff
  • (NO REJOINING THE JCPOA!) HR.6057: Introduced 10/25/23 by McClain (R-MI) and 10 consponsors (all Republicans), “To limit the United States from rejoining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.” aka the “Iran Nuclear Verification Act.” Also see: Congresswoman McClain Introduces the Iran Nuclear Verification Act This bill was marked up 10/25/23 in the House Foreign Affairs Committee (see Section 3, below).

Other

  • (REMEMBERING THE 1983 MARINE BARRACKS BOMBING IN BEIRUT) H. Res. 808 (text): Introduced 10/24/23 by Pence (R-IN) and 10 cosponsors (bipartisan), “Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983.” Also see: On the 40th Anniversary of the Beirut Bombing, Congressman Pence Remembers the American Heroes Lost
  • (RE-DESIGNATE ANSARALLAH AS AN FTO) HR 6046: Introduced 10/25/23 by Clyde (R-GA) and 9 cosponsors (all Republican, “To designate Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization and impose certain sanctions on Ansarallah, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. NOTE: Congress does not have the legal authority to designate groups as FTOs…

 

2. Letters

Israel Emergency Aid

  • (EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR ISRAEL AND *ONLY* ISRAEL) Waltz et al letter to Schumer and McConnell: On 10/26/23, Rep. Waltz (R-FL) led a letter, cosigned by 5 House colleagues (all Republicans) to Senate Majority and Minority Leaders Schumer (D-NY) and McConnell (R-Y), accusing President Biden of using “Israel’s existential struggle as an excuse to force billions more in additional spending through Congress, rather than address the nation’s most pressing emergencies…” The letter calls for “a narrow supplemental appropriations package” to include only emergency funding for Israel (as well as funding for the U.S. border passed previously by the House but not in the Senate).
  • (ENSURE SUFFICIENT US WEAPONS STOCKPILE FOR ISRAELI NEEDS) Roy letter to SecDef: On 10/26/23, Rep. Roy (R-TX) sent a letter to SecDef Austin to “request an inventory assessment of United States defense articles currently located in the War Reserve Stocks for Allies – Israel (WRSA-I).”  He goes on to suggest that the Biden Administration’s support for Ukraine may have put Israel in jeopardy: “According to reports, President Biden transferred hundreds of thousands of 155 mm artillery shells from WRSA-I to Ukraine earlier this year.1 As Congress is slated to consider legislation in support of Israel’s defense, it is important for Congress to be fully informed as to what munitions are available in WRSA-I and the extent to which the Biden administration has depleted this stockpile to support Ukraine’s war effort.” He concludes: “As Israel continues to defend itself from Hamas and other regional terrorist groups under the sponsorship of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is imperative to the United States’ national security interests that Israel has the tools it needs to win and deter their adversaries. As you are aware, 10 USC 2229a requires an annual report to Congress on the prepositioned materiel and equipment in various U.S. stockpiles. It is unclear whether this reporting requirement has been consistently applied to WRSA. I request an assessment, either in public or classified form, of the current inventory of weapons in the WRSA-I to assist Congress’ ability to properly advance legislation in support of Israel.” Also see: House Lawmaker Wants Full Accounting of US Arms Stockpiled for Israel (Washington Free Beacon 10/26/23)

Targeting Palestine Aid

  • (INVESTIGATING EVER CENT THE US HAS EVER GIVEN THE PALESTINIANS!) Comer et al letter to USAID Administrator: On 10/23/23, Rep. Comer (R-KY) led a letter, cosigned by 23 House colleagues (all Republicans), to USAID Power, informing her that “The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is conducting oversight of how the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) assesses the risk of funding and other agency actions that may support activities contrary to U.S. interests. This includes assessments and controls for hundreds of millions of dollars of U.S. taxpayer-funded humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank and the risk that any of these funds could fall into the hands of or otherwise aid Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) such as Hamas. The scale and complexity of the barbaric Hamas atrocities that commenced on October 7th in Israel make it clear that significant financial resources were used for these attacks. Public reports state that the Islamic Republic of Iran provides Hamas with direct funding, amounting to tens of millions annually. We also know that the Biden Administration dramatically increased funding to Gaza and the West Bank and on October 18th, he publicly announced an additional $100 million in U.S. aid to the area.  It is vital to fully account for U.S. funds intended for humanitarian purposes to ensure they do not directly or indirectly fund terrorism. We request information to assist the Committee’s oversight.” The letter asks for a list of records and information – pertaining to the time period January 1, 2020, to the present –  no later than November 7, 2023. These are: “1. All documents and communications containing any report or assessment that U.S. funding administered by USAID in Gaza or the West Bank was diverted for use by FTOs, including but not limited to Hamas, or affiliated individuals; 2. All documents and communications related to any concern or assessment that U.S. funding administered by USAID in Gaza or the West Bank could be diverted for use by FTOs, including but not limited to Hamas, or affiliated individuals; 3. All documents, including calendar information, meeting notes, and participant information, regarding the Management Committees on Risk and Internal Control (MCRIC) that oversaw risk profile development for USAID West Bank and Gaza programming for Fiscal Years 2021, 2022, and 2023; 4. All documents related to West Bank and Gaza programming in Fiscal Years 2021, 2022, 2023, which reference Hamas, or any other designated FTO.“
  • (NO EMERGENCY AID TO PALESTINIANS!) Luetkemeyer et al letter to Biden & Yellen: On 10/19/23, Rep. Leutkemeyer (R-MO) and 7 House colleagues (all Republicans) sent a letter to President Biden and Treasury Secretary Yellen regarding proposed emergency humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. The letter states: “As you both know, humanitarian assistance is fungible, particularly when provided to state sponsors of terrorism or their proxies. Without significant due diligence and controls in place, it is more than likely that funds or material assistance provided for these populations will instead be diverted to fund the continuation of terrorist activity whether in Gaza, the West Bank, or another terrorist stronghold.” The letter states that “Prior to releasing any additional humanitarian assistance,” the Administration must answer a list of questions (no later than October 31, 2023): “1. What assurances does Congress have that this assistance will not finance terror? 2. What due diligence or assessments were conducted prior to the announcement that aid to displaced or conflict-affected Palestinian people would not be diverted to support or finance terrorism? 3. What mechanisms will be put in place to prevent the diversion of assistance to state sponsors of terrorism or their proxies? 4. How will the Department of the Treasury ensure that primary and secondary sanctions currently in place against Iran will not be impacted?”

Targeting Palestine Rights/Free Speech Critical of Israel [Welcome to New McCarthyism…]

  • (COMBAT CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM, DEFINED TO MEAN PRO-PALESTINIAN ACTIVISM/SPEECH) Cassidy et al letter to Education Secretary: On 10/26/23, Sen. Ernst (R-LA) led a letter, cosigned by 15 Senate colleagues (all Republicans) to Education Secretary Cardona, expressing concern that, “your Department is not ensuring American universities are fostering a safe learning environment for all students after the terrorist organization Hamas’ violent attack on civilians, including Americans and Israeli citizens. Therefore, we write to urgently understand what the Department of Education (Department) is doing to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and ensure Jewish or Israeli college and university students are not subjected to discrimination based on race, color or national origin..” After listing alleged instances of antisemitism and failures of universities to take action, the letter concludes: “Colleges and universities appear unwilling or unable to uphold their legal obligations under Title VI. Therefore, the Department should use its full resources to enforce the law. To assist us in our oversight and legislative duties, we request a briefing to be scheduled no later than November 9, 2023, to discuss: 1. The Department’s plan to promptly move the Antisemitism Awareness Campaign forward in the face of increased, brazen antisemitism at educational institutions across the country; 2. Data about antisemitic related complaints to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR); 3. Whether OCR has begun any compliance reviews based on antisemitic harassment complaints; and 4. Whether OCR has undertaken any directed investigations based on news reports of antisemitic harassment.” Also see: Ernst, Cassidy Combat Antisemitism on College Campuses
  • (GWU – CLAMP DOWN ON FREE SPEECH THAT MAKES JEWISH STUDENTS UNCOMFORTABLE!) Gottheimer letter to GWU: On 10/26/23 Rep. Gottheimer (D-NJ) sent a letter to George Washington University President Ellen Granberg strongly urging her to “denounce ongoing antisemitism at the George Washington University (GW) and I also implore you to take immediate disciplinary action against those who projected antisemitic messages on campus buildings celebrating Hamas’ brutal murders and kidnappings of innocent civilians, including Americans.” [see letter below – which he also signed – for details]. He closes: “Jewish students do not feel safe on their own campuses, and I am appalled that university presidents and administrators, including at GW, have yet to forcefully condemn Hamas terror and vile speech by student groups. You have not only a responsibility, but an obligation, to protect all students, including Jewish students, and ensure they can safely remain part of the campus community. There is no room for hate of any kind — including racism, Islamophobia, or antisemitism — on college campuses.”
  • (GWU – CLAMP DOWN ON FREE SPEECH THAT MAKES JEWISH STUDENTS UNCOMFORTABLE!) Garbarino et al letter to GWU: On 10/25/23 Rep. Garbarino (R-NY) led a letter of alumni of George Washington University, cosigned by 6 House colleagues (bipartisan), to GW President Ellen Granberg, calling on GWU to take action in response to Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). The letter is in response to an action by students associated with SJP this week, in which the projected messages on the sides of GW buildings protesting Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Defenders of Israel, including the White House, condemned the action and labeled the messages antisemitic – in what is now the standard conflation of criticism of Israel/Zionism with antisemitism. The House letter expresses “disgust” at asserts that the messages constituted “glorification of Hamas terrorists and calls for the destruction of Israel.” The “glorification of Hamas terrorists” accusation appears to be based on the message “Glory to our martyrs” which pro-Israel critics insist is celebrating Hamas terrorists, but Palestinians (and many non-Palestinians who speak Arabic) argue is a reference to the thousands of people in Gaza that Israel has killed. The “calls for the destruction of Israel” accusation appears to be based on the standard Palestine movement call, “Free Palestine From the River to the Sea,” which pro-Israel critics insist is a call to destroy Israel, and at least some Palestinians argue is merely abut full rights for Palestinians. The letter goes on to list accusations of antisemitism against GW, and concludes: “Nearly a quarter of undergraduate students at GW are Jewish. These students fear for their lives and do not feel safe. GW must make clear to its student body that this despicable behavior won’t be tolerated, and an investigation must be launched without delay.” Also see: Garbarino, Moskowitz, GW Alumni in Congress Call on University President To Launch Investigation Into Antisemitic Messages Projected On Campus Building
  • BLM = ANTISEMITISM; DC MUST RE-NAME BLM PLAZA IMMEDIATELY) Rubio et al letter to DC Mayor: On 10/26/23, Sen. Rubio (R-FL) led a letter, cosigned by 20 Republican colleagues (bicameral), to DC Mayor Bowser, urging her to “immediately rename ‘Black Lives Matter Plaza’ and remove the street painting that reads ‘Black Lives Matter’ due to that movement’s celebration of violent antisemitic terrorism.”  The letter goes on: “On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, murdering more than 1,300 innocent civilians and taking more than 100 hostages, including American citizens. Shockingly, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement expressed support for the murderers...For instance, the Chicago BLM Chapter posted an image of a Palestinian terrorist paragliding into Israel to kill Jews with the caption, “I stand with Palestine.” Further, the D.C. chapter of BLM posted that Israel is guilty of ‘apartheid,’ while sharing posts that cast doubt on the atrocities that took place on October 7, including the beheading of babies. Moreover, BLM Grassroots, BLM’s main ‘on the ground assembly of chapters’ and the ideological leader of BLM right now, also threw its support behind these murderous attacks.” The letter closes: “BLM continues to openly celebrate the antisemitic Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel. This stance is irreconcilable with American values. America must clearly affirm its stance against antisemitism, wherever it appears. We therefore urge you to immediately rename the Black Lives Matter Plaza, to remove the associated street painting in the plaza, and to end the city’s celebration of this terrorist sympathizer group.” Also see: Cassidy, Rubio, Banks, 20 Republican Members Insist DC Rename Plaza Following BLM Pro-Hamas Rhetoric
  • (HOW DARE THE USG [under Trump, but we won’t mention that] HIRE A PERSON WHO SYMPATHIZES WITH PALESTINIANS!) Comer/Grothman letter to USCIS: On 10/24/23, Reps Comer (R-KY) and Grothman (R-WI) sent a letter to  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Ur Jaddou, demanding that he turn over far-reaching documentation related to an employee who, according to a recent report in the Daily Wire, “celebrated recent atrocities committed by Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and has made repeated disparaging remarks about Jews and Israelis.” The letter demands the documentation, “To assist our oversight into how an antisemitic terrorist sympathizer gained employment with USCIS and authority over immigration benefits,” be turned over no later than November 7, 2023. NOTE: As mentioned in the Daily Wire article but not in the Comer/Grothman letter, the employee in question appears to have been brought on board by the Department of Homeland Security in June 2019 – that is, under the Trump Administration. Also see: Comer & Grothman Probe USCIS’s Employment of Terrorist Sympathizer
  • (CORNELL MUST FIRE PROF OVER HAMAS COMMENTS) Tenney letter to Cornell University President: On 10/24/23, Rep. Tenney (R-NY) sent a letter to Cornell University President Martha Pollack demanding to know  “what, if any, disciplinary action will be taken” against a Cornell professor, Russell Rickford, for having described Hamas’s breaking through the barrier into Israel and attacking Israelis as “energizing” and “exhilarating.” Rickford has since issued a statement apologizing for his choice of words. Tenney, however, is not satisfied with that apology: “it is absolutely vital that Professor Rickford immediately resign from his position as an educator at Cornell. While I am aware that Professor Rickford has issued an apology, these heinous remarks are irredeemable, and anybody who espouses such hatred should not remain on Cornell’s campus in such a position of prestige. Such rhetoric should not be tolerated at our universities and in our society in general. If, as you stated, Professor Rickford’s views ‘speak in direct opposition to all we stand for at Cornell,’ and ‘demonstrate no regard whatsoever for humanity.’ then Professor Rickford must resign or be fired.“
  • (FACTUALLY ACCURATE VIDEO ABOUT ISRAEL/PALESTINE = VILE ANTISEMITISM!!!) Tenney letter to NY State Board of Regents & Education Department: On 10/23/23, Rep. Tenney (R-NY) sent a letter to New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young Jr. and New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Commissioner Betty Rosa expressing outrage over a video posted on the NYSED website that she characterized as “vile antisemitism”, and demanding that all those involved in posting it to be held accountable. Based on Tenney’s explanation of what she finds objectionable about the video, it appears that she is arguing that the objective facts about the Israeli-Palestinian situation are themselves antisemitic, and that anyone who speaks or permits others to speak these facts must be punished. She notes: “In the opening image of this video, the map carves out the Golan Heights, whereas the United States recognizes that the Golan Heights is fully a part of Israel.” In fact, President Trump did recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel, and the Biden Administration has not rolled back that recognition – but the rest of the world, and international law, reject this annexation. Tenney goes on: “Later, the video refers to ‘occupied East Jerusalem,’ whereas U.S. policy does not actively recognize a split in Jerusalem.” In fact, aside from the U.S., virtually the entire world recognizes the distinction between East and West Jerusalem, as required under international law. And most fun, she concludes: “Furthermore, it recognizes the full West Bank as occupied, whereas pursuant to the Oslo II Accords, Area A is fully under the control of the Palestinian Authority and Area B is jointly administered.” In fact, under the Oslo Accords (and international law) the status of the entire West Bank remains “occupied territory,” notwithstanding what was intended to be the temporary establishment (for a few years only) of Areas A, B, and C – zones in which Israel maintained varying degrees of direct control. Especially fun here is that Tenney refers only to Area A (islands of territory in which the PA has full control but which Israel can and does enter and operate in at will) and Area B (the small area of the West Bank in which the PA ostensibly has control over civilian affairs, and Israel retains overarching security control and can/does operate at will – omitting Area C, which is the 60% of the West Bank in which Israel retains full control and has acted over the past decades to de facto cleanse of Palestinians and for all intents and purposes incorporate into the state of Israel. Tenney also objects to the video presenting the conflict as being over land, rather than “the true essence of the conflict, which is the desire of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and their supporters to wipe out Israel and the Jews, whereas Israel is fighting for the right of it and the Jewish people to exist.” The letter demands, by Nov. 2, answers to a list of “how long have you been guilty of this vile antisemitism?”-style questions,  and closes noting that “All New Yorkers deserve access to a fair, balanced, and factually accurate education.” Also see: Congresswoman Tenney Demands Accountability for Anti-Semitic Video Linked to NYSED Website
  • (STOP PRO-HAMAS ACTIVITY IN THE US) Moolenaar et al letter to AG Garland: On 10/20/23, Rep. Moolenaar (R-FL) and 33 House colleagues (all Republicans) sent a letter to Attorney General Garland regarding alleged “pro-Hamas activity” in the United States. They write: “We are writing to express [sic] the very disheartening and concerning reports of public rallies in support of Hamas, which is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the federal government. Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, our country has seen rallies of support for Hamas, violence directed at Jewish Americans, and anti-Semitic vandalism in cities and college campuses across the nation. This campaign of harassment against Jewish communities and their allies even included a ‘Day of Rage,’ which led to heightened security measures at the U.S. Capitol and cities across the nation. In many cases, law enforcement also increased security around synagogues and schools.” They go on to compare Garland’s actions regarding American parents at school board meetings to this alleged pro-Hamas activity, concluding: “Your inaction in the face of these threats is alarming and requires us to ask the following questions to ensure you are being held accountable to the American people and the Constitution you have sworn to uphold.” These questions – which all take as a proven fact that pro-Hamas activity is taking place in the U.S., especially on college campuses, include: “What is the Department of Justice’s current assessment of the situation regarding pro-Hamas groups in the United States? Has the Department of Justice identified leaders of these organizations and is it investigating whether these individuals are coordinating or communicating with members of Hamas?” and “Are there any ongoing investigations or legal actions against individuals or groups who have publicly stated at pro-Hamas rallies this [sic] that they seek the death of their fellow citizens and classmates?” and “Are federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, coordinating with local and state law enforcement to monitor and address potential threats associated with pro-Hamas rallies?” and “How are the known instances of hate speech, incitement to violence, or harassment related to these protests being addressed? Have individuals making violent comments been detained for questioning by federal law enforcement?” and “Have you directed the U.S. Attorneys working for you to initiate investigations into pro-Hamas organizations in the United States since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7?” and “Have you and FBI Director Christopher Wray discussed opening a tip line and website where the public can report anti-Semitic intimidation and harassment? When will such a line be opened? How will it be staffed and monitored to make sure these cases are investigated and prosecuted, if warranted?” and “How is the Department of Justice working with universities and educational institutions to protect Jewish students and prevent dangerous pro-Hamas events from threatening public safety?” and “What steps are being taken by the Department of Justice to enhance public awareness and education about the dangers of Hamas and anti-Semitism, especially within the academic community?” Also see: Moolenaar and More Than 30 Members of Congress Demand Answers from AG Garland on Pro-Hamas Activity in the United States

Iran

  • (NO HELP TO IRAN FROM THE IMF!!) Luetkemeyer letter to Yellen: On 10/24/23, Rep. Leutkemeyer (R-MO) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Yellen urging the Department of the Treasury to “take all necessary steps to ensure that Iran is unable to exchange its holdings of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). As you know, Republican Members of the Financial Services Committee strongly opposed the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 2021 general allocation of SDRs, which provided the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism with over $4 billion in unconditional liquidity.” Leutkemeyer requests that Yellen “communicate to the IMF’s membership that any efforts to transact in Iranian SDRs will be subject to applicable U.S. sanctions. At a time when Republicans and Democrats alike are calling on the Administration to freeze $6 billion that was made available to Iran last month for humanitarian assistance, we should immobilize the additional $6 billion (and more) that Iran still holds at the IMF.” Also see: Luetkemeyer Leads Financial Services Letter to Sec. Yellen Regarding Iran Funding
  • (TELL US EVERYTHING RE: FREEZING OF IRAN FUNDS IN QATARI BANK) Luetkemeyer et al letter to Yellen: On 10/19/23, Rep. Luetkemeyer (R-MO) and 7 House colleagues (all Republicans) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Yellen regarding the freezing of funds released to Iran as part of the prisoner release deal. They write: “On October 12, 2023, it was reported that Deputy Treasury Secretary Adeyemo briefed House Democrats that the U.S. and Qatar agreed to temporarily freeze Iran’s access to these funds. However, it is unclear why he did not also deliver this message to the House majority, including the Subcommittee of Jurisdiction. Moreover, the decision to freeze the funds in Qatar came only after widespread, bipartisan criticism of the justification for the funds release – to pay the ransom for American hostages. Publicly, the Administration has stated that none of the funds have been dispersed. However, there are many questions regarding the inclusion of this transfer in the hostage exchange.” The letter asks for answers, by October 31, to 4 questions: “1. Have the funds been frozen? 2. Under what circumstances would the funds be unfrozen? 3. Is Iran able to use these funds as collateral in order to borrow? 4. If so, is Iran using the funds as collateral?” The letter closes: “With bills introduced in both the House and the Senate that would statutorily freeze these funds, there should be no movement in the funds unless and until Congress acts.”
  • (TELL US EVERYTHING ABOUT PLAN TO RELEASE IRANIAN FUNDS IN PRISONER EXCHANGE) McHenry et al letter to Yellen: On 10/18/23, Reps. McHenry (R-NC), Huizenga (R-MI) and Luetkemeyer (R-MO) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Yellen citing Hamas’s recent attack on Israel, saying that it “raises serious questions about the Biden Administration’s Iran’s sanctions policy,” and connecting this to the recent (frozen) plan to release Iranian funds held by the U.S. as part of a prisoner release deal, asserting, “Any money the Iranian regime can obtain —whether through its oil exports or by gaining access through sanctions relief—will be immediately repurposed to fund terrorism.” The letter goes on to demand comprehensive information and records which the signer say are necesary “to better understand the Biden Administration’s decisions regarding economic sanctions on Iran,” to be provided no later than November 1.

Other

  • (END TURKEY’S SUPPORT FOR HAMAS) Pappas/Bilirakis et al letter to Blinken: On 10/26/23, Rep. Pappas (D-NH) and Bilirakis (R-FL) led a letter, cosigned by 45 House colleagues (bipartisan) strongly urging SecState Blinken to, “take decisive action to hold the Republic of Turkey accountable for its role in supporting and facilitating the operations of Hamas.” The letter goes on: “We applaud President Biden’s unequivocal support for Israel since Hamas launched its unprecedented attack and urge the United States government to employ the full spectrum of its diplomatic and national security tools to sever any political, logistical, and financial links between Turkey and Hamas that enable Hamas to commit atrocious acts of terrorism against Israel. Accordingly, we urge you to demand that Turkey act against Hamas immediately and without equivocation.” Specifically, the letter asks the State Department to “demand” that the government of Turkey: “1. Formally designate Hamas as a terrorist organization; 2. Close Hamas’s office in Istanbul and any affiliated entities operating in Turkey; 3. Revoke Turkish citizenship and confiscate Turkish passports from all Hamas officials within Turkey; 4. Expel Hamas officials from the country and prohibit their re-entry; 5. Investigate whether any Turkish banks are implicated in the financing of Hamas, report the findings of such an investigation to the U.S. Department of State, and sanction any banks involved in such financing; and 6. Investigate whether any Turkish officials were involved in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and report said findings to the U.S. Department of State.” Also see: Pappas, Bilirakis Lead Bipartisan Call for Turkey to Stop Supporting Hamas
  • (MORE FUNDING TO PROTECT US JEWISH ORGS DUE TO HAMAS ATTACK) Lankford et al letter to Mayorkas & Wray: On 10/25/23, Sen. Lankford (R-OK) led a letter, cosigned by 63 House colleagues (bipartisan), to Attorney General Mayorkas and FBI Director Wray stating: “…following Hamas’ recent terrorist attacks in Israel, antisemitism is on full display in cities around the country, as well as on college and university campuses. Free speech is always protected in the public square, but speech inciting violence, as well as threats and acts of terrorism and violence, must be taken seriously. Given these pressing threats, we support an increase in funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in any upcoming supplemental funding legislation…” Also see: Cassidy, Colleagues Urge DHS, FBI to Prioritize Prevention of Antisemitic Violence
  • (BRIEFING TO DISCUSS IF U.S. WEAPONS GETTING INTO HAMAS’S HANDS) Comer/Greene letter to SecDef Austin: On 10/23/23, Reps. Comer (R-KY) and Greene (R-GA) sent a letter to SecDef Austin expressing concerns that U.S. weapons are falling into the hands of Hamas. The letter states: “The Committee has seen reports that U.S.-manufactured weapons are being redistributed and resold in secondary markets to terrorist organizations, including Hamas. The potential possession of U.S. weapons by terrorists is alarming in light of the terrorist group’s recent horrific attack on Israel. Therefore, the Committee seeks a staff briefing on DoD procedures for preventing, addressing, and mitigating weapon diversion abroad.” It goes on to say:  “The Committee is concerned by reports that Hamas and other terrorist organizations may have obtained American-made weapons. Recently released photos show Hamas terrorists allegedly holding what appear to be M4A1 Carbines, which were ‘specially designed for U.S. Special Operations Forces.‘” Also see: Comer & Greene Press DOD on U.S. Military Aid and Weapons Falling into Terrorist Hands

 

3. Hearings & Markups

October 31, 2023: The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing entitled, A Review of the National Security Supplemental Request. Witnesses will be SecState Blinken and SecDef Austin.

October 25, 2023: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a business meeting to consider the nomination of Jack Lew as the new U.S. ambassador to Israel.

October 25, 2023: The House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions held a hearing entitled, “How America and Its Allies Can Stop Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran from Evading Sanctions and Financing Terror.” Witnesses (the witness list really says it all) were: Richard Goldberg, FDD (statement); Gabriel Noronha, JINSA (statement),  Jason Brodsky, UANI (statement) and Adam Zarazinski, INCA Digital (statement). Hearing video is here. The hearing will was used as an occasion to advance 8 pieces of legislation related to Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.

  • Three of these had already been introduced at the time of the hearing: HR 5921, “No U.S. Financing for Iran Act of 2023”, introduced 10/11/23; and HR 5923, “Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023”, introduced 10/11/23; and HR 6015, the “Iran Sanctions Accountability Act of 2023” (text), introduced 10/20/23
  • Another one was introduced the day after the hearing, HR 6051, “Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act”
  • The remaining 4 bills marked up in the hearing appear to have not yet been introduced. They are: H.R.___, “Iran Counterterrorism Act of 2023” [PDF]; H.R.___, “End Financing to Hamas Act of 2023” [PDF]; H.R.___, “Freezing-HAMAS Act” [PDF]; and H.R.___, “Revoke Iranian Funding Act of 2023” [PDF]

October 25, 2023: The House Homeland Security Committee held a hearing entitled (rescheduled from an earlier date), An Examination of the Iranian Regime’s Threats to Homeland Security. Witnesses were: Nathan A. Sales, Former Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism (statement); Masih Alinejad, Private Citizen (statement);  Robert Greenway, Heritage Foundation (statement); and Thomas Warrick, Atlantic Council (statement). Hearing video is here.

POSTPONED: October 24, 2023: The House Foreign Affairs Committee was scheduled to hold a hearing entitled, “Friend and Ally: U.S. Support for Israel After Hamas’ Barbaric Attack.”  The witnesses were supposed to be Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Dana Stroul.

 

4. Selected Media & Press releases/statements

Statements from Members Who Voted No or Present on H. Res. 771

  • Bowman: “Consistent with every statement I’ve shared,  it is important to state that October 7th is one of the most traumatic and tragic events to Israeli’s and the Jewish community globally since the Holocaust. I strongly condemn Hamas and support all efforts to defeat them. Since Hamas’ attack inside Israel, over 1,400 Israelis have been killed. HR. 771 rightfully condemns Hamas and supports the security of Israel. However, this resolution was written immediately after the attack, and was not updated to reflect the quickly changing and fragile situation in Israel and Gaza. It does not include the urgent need for de-escalation and prevention of ground invasion nor any humanitarian efforts. There is no mention of a two state solution. Over 6,546 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including at least 2,704 children, yet HR 771 was not even updated to fully recognize their lives. I cannot in good conscience vote for a resolution which flagrantly ignores such devastation of life and ignores measures towards long term peace. In order to save Israeli and Palestinian lives now and in the future, and fight the rise of antisemitism, islamophobia and all hate, we need to respond in this moment with leadership, balance and a spirit towards true and long lasting peace, not war.“
  • Bush: “All human life is precious, and I will continue to denounce the violence and bloodshed we have seen in Gaza and Israel over the past few weeks. I deeply mourn and grieve all the civilians – Israeli, Palestinian, and American – who were and continue to be killed. For that reason, I voted against this one-sided resolution, which explicitly and intentionally fails to mourn Palestinians while simultaneously green-lighting more death and violence. As more people die every hour, it is shameful that this resolution fails to acknowledge the responsibility of Congress and the entire United States government to do everything in its power to prevent further atrocities. That is why I introduced a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire; so that no one else has to die. I urge my colleagues to join me in not only mourning all the lives lost but also to dare to fight for the living by putting an end to this violence. That starts with a ceasefire now.”
  • Green: “Thank you for receiving this explanatory communique in response to the many inquiries from the press and public concerning my decision not to cosponsor H.Res.771 (Standing with Israel as it Defends Itself Against the Barbaric War Launched by Hamas and Other Terrorists). My preeminent rationale from which others emanate is my philosophical conviction that issues of war and peace are questions of conscience, coupled with my sincere belief that we must plan for peace at the genesis of war. Winning a war while losing the peace likely portends future wars. Regrettably, the resolution at hand does not mention a two-state solution in tandem with the necessity to provide aid to the Palestinians, yet both are part and parcel to any hope for lasting peace. I was proud to see President Biden take a similar stance in his address to the nation of Israel on October 18th . My desire for a two-state solution is why, on October 12th, 2023, prior to President Biden’s statement, I sent a letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee Chair and Ranking Member explaining in greater detail why I had not signed onto H.Res.771. My position is born from conscience, for which I alone have a moral imperative to embrace. Hence, on this question of conscience, for me it is better to stand alone than not stand at all. The letter is available here and the resolution text is also available here.“
  • Lee: “The violence Hamas unleashed in Israel, particularly the horrific kidnapping and killing of over a thousand innocent civilians and children, is horrifying, unjustifiable, and must be condemned. Since that day, we’ve seen immeasurable loss and destruction upon innocent civilians in Gaza–the loss of over 6,000 innocent Palestinian lives, mostly women and children, 38 UN humanitarian aid workers, 24 journalists, and critical infrastructure–hospitals, schools, roads, churches while as many as 600 American citizens remained trapped. I believe all human lives are precious. This resolution does not acknowledge the overwhelming loss of life and humanity of Palestinians which moves us further from – not closer to – a just and lasting peace. This is a critical mistake that falls short of what the world needs in this moment – which is why I voted ‘No.’ I advocated for those changes that would have gotten myself and others to a ‘Yes’ on this resolution. Republicans refused to acknowledge these concerns and make those humanity-centering changes. Collective punishment of civilians is a violation of international human rights law. A nation’s right to defense does not allow it to violate international law. Palestinian civilians in Gaza – half of whom are children – are not collectively guilty, and should not be collectively punished. The Israeli government’s response to Hamas’ attack is punishing all Palestinians in Gaza by cutting food, water, fuel, electricity and leaving two-thirds of health centers inoperable for innocent civilians. Yet, this resolution calls for tightening what civilian assistance gets into Gaza and fails to even mention the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian civilians in Gaza, which would cause further suffering. This is at a time when dehumanizing language and calls for genocide are being repeated by top Israeli officials – language that endangers innocent Palestinians who have no connections to Hamas in Gaza and in the US– such as six-year old Wadea who was stabbed to death in his home outside of Chicago. We have a once-in-a-generation responsibility to save Israeli and Palestinian lives and to help prevent another endless war that will kill and displace an entire generation of innocent children. We must ask ourselves the tough questions. Do we facilitate a mass atrocity rather than de-escalate this war? While we continue to honor and stand with the Jewish community in asserting their humanity against Hamas’ terrorism and fighting against all antisemitism, do we turn a blind eye to the plight of Palestinians? Anyone who values human life and the lives of children would answer no to both questions. As our Jewish community grieves the unbelievable pain, trauma, and loss of the largest number of Jews killed since the holocaust while also grieving the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history 5-years ago this Friday, we must show love and hold space for their pain. We must hold space for Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab communities who are viewing daily heartbreaking images and videos of children in Gaza in body bags. We cannot add to that pain by engaging in an endless war. The only path to peace, the only path to saving more innocent Palestinian and Israeli children and hostages is de-escalation. The people of Gaza need food, water, electricity and now basic health care. Innocent Israeli and American hostages need to be released. We need a Ceasefire NOW.”
  • Omar: “I’m committed to peace and a prompt ceasefire. While the resolution rightly acknowledges and mourns the lives taken by Hamas, I cannot support a resolution that fails to acknowledge and mourn the lives of Palestinians taken by the Israeli military. The resolution also fails to acknowledge the Israeli government’s military bombardment of Gaza, especially after Israeli officials openly admitted to implementing collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza.Our position should be consistent in defending innocent lives. We must use diplomacy to secure the release of hostages, end the violence by negotiating a ceasefire, restore water, food, and fuel to Gaza, and work toward lasting peace. My unwavering commitment to human rights and peace compels me to oppose any action that perpetuates a crisis that has already ended many lives. For this reason, I cast my vote against House Resolution 771.”
  • Ramirez: “I unequivocally condemn Hamas’ horrifying terrorist attack on Israel: the worst perpetration of violence inflicted on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. I join my colleagues in calling for the immediate and safe release of any and all hostages. I grieve with my friends, colleagues, and constituents whose futures are forever changed. I couldn’t vote for today’s resolution. It was incomplete, and I was offered no opportunity to submit changes. When I consider legislation, I ask myself, does this proposal honor our shared humanity? Does it bring us closer to peace through a two-state solution? The resolution filed on October 11 did not honor our shared humanity, did not advance a two-state solution, and did not recognize the interconnectedness of the Israeli and Palestinian people in their struggle for liberation and safety. We cannot unequivocally support or condone the Israeli government’s collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza. The Palestinian people are not Hamas. We must use our collective voice and influence to end the siege that has claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Palestinian children, displaced thousands of Palestinians, and limited the humanitarian aid that can reach the region. Violence cannot bring peace, and atrocities cannot justify further war crimes. I affirm my commitment to de-escalation, ceasefire, and diplomacy, and I call on my colleagues to use our significant influence and power to protect human rights, advance international law, and ensure humanitarian aid to those impacted by the escalating violence, including Gaza’s 1.4 million children under the age of 14 living without adequate food, water, and electricity. Our actions must support a true and lasting peace in the region. I believe in a future where Israelis and Palestinians are free and safe. Our futures are interconnected, and that realization can provide a path to liberation and coexistence. We will not get there through a missile barrage or the barrel of a gun.”
  • Tlaib: “I have and continue to denounce the killing of civilians, no matter their faith or ethnicity. Targeting civilians is a war crime, no matter who does it. Do not confuse my vote against this one-sided resolution with a lack of empathy for all those who are grieving. I voted against this resolution because it is a deeply incomplete and biased account of what is happening in Israel and Palestine, and what has been happening for decades. This resolution rightly mourns the thousands of Israeli civilians killed and wounded in the horrific attacks but explicitly does not mourn the thousands of Palestinian civilians, including over 2,000 children, killed and wounded in the collective punishment of Palestine. How does treating Palestinian civilians as less than fully human, as legitimate targets for retribution, bring us closer to a just and lasting peace? U.S. military support for Israel with absolutely no conditions on upholding human rights has not brought peace and justice to the region. This resolution is not a serious examination of the root causes of the violence we are witnessing and doubles down on decades of failed policy. Achieving a just and lasting peace where Israelis and Palestinians have equal rights and freedoms, and where no person lives in fear for their safety, requires ending the blockade, occupation, and dehumanizing system of apartheid. I urge my colleagues to support our Ceasefire Now Resolution to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible.”
  • Jayapal: “On October 7, 2023, Hamas’s horrific terrorist attack killed 1,400 Israelis, wounded over 5,000 others and took hostage 200 people, including children. I sponsored H.Res 771 as a way to immediately condemn this attack. Since then, I have continued to condemn the attack, reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself and called for the immediate release of all hostages. However, in the 14 days since the resolution was introduced, Israel’s bombings of Gaza have killed more than 5,800 Palestinians, almost half of whom are children. Another 16,000 have been injured and 613,000 internally displaced. Israel has refused to allow fuel and other humanitarian aid to flow freely and has continued mass bombings of Gaza. I cannot in good conscience vote for a resolution that ignores these critical factors and the humanitarian impact on Palestinian civilians and their families as this war has unfolded and escalated. I am voting present to be clear that while I still condemn Hamas’s attacks and the pain and suffering of the Jewish people everywhere, I also condemn the violations of international humanitarian law by Israel and the pain and suffering of Palestinian people everywhere that are not recognized anywhere in this resolution.”
  • Pressley: “I unequivocally condemn Hamas and the October 7 terrorist attack where Hamas murdered more than 1,400 Israelis, including children and elders. The grief and trauma it has caused for the Israeli and Jewish communities in my district and beyond is palpable, and my heart breaks for the victims, as well as those held hostage by Hamas, their loved ones, and everyone who feels vulnerable in the wake of this attack. I am also devastated by the death of more than 6,000 innocent Palestinian civilians who have been egregiously killed by Israeli airstrikes the last 17 days. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening daily, and millions of Palestinian civilians continue to lack access to food, fuel, and safe drinking water. There are many U.S. citizens, including constituents from Massachusetts like the Okal family and their one-year-old baby, who remain stranded in Gaza and who have faced relentless bombing as they try to flee for safety. I have serious concerns about the dated text of this resolution and its clear omissions. Congressional intent is significant, and I voted present today because I could not in good conscience support an outdated resolution that fails to acknowledge the overwhelming loss of Palestinian life and the consequential moment we find ourselves in. As a woman of faith, I see this issue clearly: saving civilian lives—including the Israeli and American hostages and the Palestinian families trapped in Gaza—must be the priority. Our shared humanity is on the line and every action taken by Congress in this moment should be in pursuit of peace, not further escalating the conflict by endorsing the military response in this resolution without caveats. I continue to call for de-escalation and an urgent ceasefire to save lives and facilitate the safe return of hostages, the evacuation of Americans, and the delivery of humanitarian aid. I stand ready to advance policies that end the cycle of violence and hold space for every precious life and those feeling deeply vulnerable in this moment.”

General

Jewish Insider 10/27/23: Cardin calls Arab leaders’ comments on Hamas ‘extremely frustrating,’ says private messages are different [“‘To Erdogan, I’d say, “You’re stupid,”’ Sen. Joni Ernst says. ‘And to the queen of Jordan, I understand the difficulty that she has in this situation’”]

Jewish News Syndicate 10/25/23: New House speaker: First bill on floor will be Israeli aid package

Jewish News Syndicate 10/25/23: Canary Mission: Tlaib has ‘extensive fundraising ties’ to Hamas

New York Post 10/25/23: Op-ed by Sen. Blackburn – Helping Palestinians requires eradicating Hamas, not funding it —as Biden’s aid package would do

Jewish News Syndicate 10/25/23: Lawmakers, Jewish organizations mourn IDF reservist Omer Balva, 22

Jewish Insider 10/25/23: House Democrats react to Tlaib’s refusal to accept U.S., Israeli assessment of Gaza hospital blast

Jewish Insider 10/25/23: Jewish Democrats feel ‘abandoned by the progressive community,’ Manning says [“‘To have [the Hamas attack] dismissed as ‘we feel bad about all loss of life’ misses the moment that our progressive brothers and sisters have to stand with the Jewish community in such a painful time.’ she said“]

Jewish News Syndicate 10/24/23: Tension over question about Tlaib at press conference with US senators in Israel  

Jewish News Syndicate 10/24/23: Ethics complaint filed against Tlaib for spreading falsity about Gaza hospital

Washington Free Beacon 10/24/23: Rashida Tlaib Defends Hamas’s Hospital Blast Narrative, Suggests US and Israeli Conspiracy

Daily Beast 10/24/23: Bob Menendez Got Boeing Cash After Egypt Aircraft Deal

Jewish News Syndicate 10/23/23: 18 House Democrats sign resolution for Mideast de-escalation, ceasefire [“‘These radical Democrats clearly need a history lesson,’ said Sam Markstein, national political director of the Republican Jewish Coalition.”]

Fox News 10/23/23: JD Vance circulates memo calling for Israel and Ukraine aid to be split up

Jewish Insider 10/23/23: Senate delegation to Israel, Saudi Arabia denounces Iranian role in Oct. 7 attacks

Jewish Insider 10/23/23: Andy Kim touts support for Israel — and his national security experience — in Senate challenge to Menendez

South Florida Sun Sentinel 10/22/23: Op-Ed by Sen. Scott (R-FL) – On foreign policy, America was far better off with Trump

Jewish Telegraphic Agency 10/22/23: More than half of House Democrats endorse Biden’s backing of Israel in Hamas war [letter covered in last week’s Round-Up]

Daily Beast 10/22/23:  Congress Should Reject Calls to Expel Members of the ‘Squad’ [“A proposal from Senator Tim Scott and others to rid Congress of pro-Palestinian members would only jeopardize our principles of free speech and prove to be a very slippery slope.”]

Washington Post 10/21/23: Republicans target visas of student protesters. That violates free speech, experts say.

New York Post 10/19/23: Op-ed by Sen. Scott (R-SC) – Expel Hamas’ propagandists in Congress — and don’t give the terrorists taxpayer cash

1.Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

 

NOTE: Once again this week, given the scope and pace of current events — the absolute horror show of Hamas’s attack on Israel and the Israel reaction which at this point is clearly incipient genocide/ethnic cleansing — and given the for the most part morally reprehensible responses from members of Congress in terms of a non-stop stream of dehumanization of Palestinian civilians and support/celebration of military action targeting them, there is no “On the Record” section this week, and only an abbreviated Media section. Check members accounts on X or their websites for yourself if you want to see what they are saying. In general, if they are Democrats the message remains: total support for/solidarity with Israel in its campaign and zero concern for even the existence of Palestinian civilians or what Israel is doing to them. From Republicans, it is largely the same, plus an almost universal narrative connecting the Hamas attack to Iran and implicitly or explicitly making the case for war against (and regime change in) Iran (and some Democrats are on these same talking points). Plus this week we have the added demonization – from both sides of the aisle – of Jewish Americans and members of Congress who dare to call for a ceasefire or to defend Palestinian rights. It is all just soul-crushing to follow, let alone to try to document comprehensively while also following the actual horror-show of genocide unfolding on the ground.

New from FMEP:

1. Bills, Resolutions & letters

Note: With no House Speaker, legislation continues to be introduced in the House but for now, that’s it (as in, it’s bills are not even being referred to committees. Total standstill).

Calling for ceasefire (gasp, how could they! damn these vicious antisemites to hell!)
Support Israel/Israelis/Israeli-Americans/Americans in Israel
  • (TWO-FER – TAKE $$ FROM GAZA, GIVE TO ISRAEL) S.  3083 (pdf): Introduced 10/19/23 by Hagerty (R-TN) and 11 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A bill to reallocate funding originally appropriated for Gaza to grants to Israel for the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system,” aka, the “Emergency Resupply for Iron Dome Act of 2023.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.  Also see: Hagerty, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Resupply Israel’s Iron Dome Missile Defense Also worth noting: Hagerty previously introduced this legislation in 2021 (as in, defunding Gaza and giving the money to Israel has been his goal since long before the 10/7/23 Hamas attack on Israel)
  • (BIDEN – YOU SUCK FOR NOT DOING MORE TO HELP AMERICANS IN ISRAEL) H. Res. 797: — Introduced 10/19/23 by Mills (R-FL) and 18 cosponsors (all Republicans), “Condemning the Biden Administration for failing to fulfill the United States Government’s duty to American citizens left stranded in Israel.“
  • (WE STAND WITH ISRAEL) S. Res. 417: Introduced 10/19/23 by Schumer (D-NY), “A resolution standing with Israel against terrorism.” Agreed to by a vote of 97-0.
  • (BLOCKING $$ FOR US-IRAN PRISONER EXCHANGE; CONDITIONING ALL FUTURE UNFREEZING OF IRAN ASSETS ON IRAN COMPENSATING ISRAEL FOR COSTS OF CURRENT WAR; CONFISCATE IRAN’S FROZEN ASSETS AND USE THEM TO FUND MORE ISRAELI ASSISTANCE) S. 3081:  Introduced 10/18/23 by Daines (R-MT), “A bill to authorize additional assistance to Israel using assets confiscated from Iran, and for other purposes.”  Rreferred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. This appears to be the Senate version of HR 5932 (text), introduced 10/11/23 by Schweikert (R-AZ) and 11 cosponsors (all Republicans), and with the short title, the “Fortify Israel Act.”
  • (REIMBURSE AMCITS FOR COSTS OF LEAVING ISRAEL DUE TO WAR) HR 5965: Introduced 10/17/23 by Smith (R-NJ) and Manning (D-NC), “To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for an exemption of reimbursement for certain travel to return to the United States, and for other purposes.” This legislation would mandate that the U.S. not require Americans who take out loans from the US government to cover the costs of flights out of Israel in the context of the current conflict do not have to pay back those loand (the bill provide this benefit exclusively to this specific group of Americans, and not Americans who now or in the future might be fleeing any other conflict in the world; arguably it also does not apply to Americans in the West Bank and Gaza Strip who might be fleeing the current war).  Also see: Smith introduces legislation to reimburse Americans for cost of flights out of Israeli war zones
  • (AUMF TO SUPPORT ISRAEL IN CASE OF WAR WITH IRAN) HR XXXX: Take note of this 10/16/23 X-post from Manu Raju, CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent — “House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul is drafting legislation ‘in the event it’s necessary’ to authorize the use of US military force in case Israel war broadens into a wider proxy war with Iran.   “I hope I never have to mark this bill up,” he said, per @FossumSamuel“
Targeting Hamas
  • (DECLARE HAMAS GUILTY OF GENOCIDE/CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY/WAR CRIMES) McCaul letter State Dept: On 10/19/23, Rep. McCaul (R-TX) sent a letter to SecState Blinken and US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack, stating (among other things): I call upon the Department of State to join me in issuing a clear and unambiguous declaration that Hamas has committed acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Indeed, all parties to conflict must act in accordance with international law.” [emphasis added, given that this statement underscores the fact that in the eyes of Congress, it appears that everything Israel is doing to civilians in Gaza — which international law experts increasingly are openly calling war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide — is to be considered a-ok under international]. Also see: McCaul Declares Hamas Committed Acts of Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes — Calls Upon State Department To Determine Same
  • (CONDEMNING HAMAS/WE STAND WITH ISRAEL!) H. Res. 789: Introduced 10/16/23 by Van Drew (R-NJ), “Condemning the heinous actions of Hamas and affirming the support of the United States for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.“
Targeting all Palestinians & those who defend Palestinian rights and targeting free speech in the U.S.
  • (BARRING US AID – EMERGENCY & OTHER – TO PALESTINIANS IN GAZA) HR 5996 (text): Introduced 10/19/23 by Kustoff (R-TN) and 2 Republican cosponsors, “To prohibit any direct or indirect United States funding for the territory of Gaza unless certain conditions are met“, aka the ‘‘Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act’’.  The bill would bar any U.S. funding for Gaza (including humanitarian aid) unless the President can certify that such funds won’t benefit any FTO or anyone associated with an FTO AND that all Israeli hostages in Gaza has first been freed.  It would also bar US funding to Gaza via any UN entity or office, unless the president certifies that “such entity or office is not encouraging or teaching anti-Israel or anti-Semitic ideas or propaganda.” Also see: Reps. Kustoff, Miller, Lawler Introduce Bill Urging Biden to Confirm No Aid Will Go to Hamas
  • (ATTACKING US SCHOOLS & STUDENTS FOR ENGAGING IN/ALLOWING PROTEST IN SUPPORT OF PALESTINIANS IN GAZA; ACCUSING THEM OF ENDANGERING JEWISH STUDENTS & SUPPORTING/ENGAGING IN ANTISEMITISM) H. Res. 798: Introduced 10/19/23 by Owens (R-UT) and 52 cosponsor (all Republicans), “Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff.”
  • (NO FUNDS FOR PALESTINIANS) HR 5986: Introduced 10/18/23 by Mast (R-FL), “To prohibit funds for the Palestinian-controlled West Bank or Gaza.”
  • **IHRA DEFINITION ALERT!*** (DE-FUND US UNIVERSITIES THAT PERMIT PROTESTS OF ISRAEL/PROTESTS FOR PALESTINIAN RIGHTS VIA LEGISLATING THE IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM) S. 3078: Introduced 10/18/23 by Scott (R-FL) and 4 cosponsors  (all Republicans), “A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit institutions of higher education that authorize Anti-Semitic events on campus from participating in the student loan and grant programs under title IV of such Act.” This bill would legislate the IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its examples, into law as the basis for stripping campuses of labeling criticism of Israel as antisemitism and punishing campuses for it.  Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Also see: Senator Tim Scott Introduces Legislation to Defund Colleges and Universities that Promote Antisemitism. NOTE: S. 3078 is the Senate companion to HR 3773, Introduced 5/31/23 by Lawler (R-NY) and currently having 17 cosponsors (18 Republican + Gottheimer, D-NJ – because of course). That bill – introduced after a campaign of rage/retribution against a law student for a graduation speech that included criticism of Israel – was covered in detail in the 6/2/23 edition of the Round-Up. Also see: Tim Scott wants to defund colleges over anti-Israel statements: ‘Hits them where it hurts’ (WFIN 10/19/23)
  • (GOING ON A WITCH HUNT! DEPORT FOREIGNERS IN THE US WHO CRITICIZE ISRAEL/DEFEND PALESTINIANS) H. Res. 796/S. Res. 413 (text): Introduced 10/18/23 in the House by Gonzales (R-TX) and in the Senate by Rubio (R-FL) and 11 cosponsors (all Republicans), “Condemning foreign nationals in the United States who have endorsed and espoused the actions of foreign terrorist organizations (FTO) in Gaza who, on October 7, 2023, launched attacks against the State of Israel, and killed innocent Israeli and United States citizens.” Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. To be clear: the intent behind this legislation, as reflected in its “whereas” clauses, is to target not merely people who espouse support for Hamas or any other FTO, but to target all protests of Israeli policies/actions, explicitly putting in the same category support for Hamas and criticism of Israel and anti-Zionism: “Whereas students at our most elite colleges an  universities, including foreign nationals, have celebrated this pogrom and blamed the Jews for their own slaughter at the hands of a savage enemy; Whereas Hamas called for a ‘Day of Rage’ on October 13, 2023, and some individuals in the United States have responded to this call and incited others to endorse and espouse Hamas’ actions against Israeli and American civilians; Whereas there have been violent, anti-Semitic, pro-Hamas riots in the streets of South Florida, Washington, D.C., New York City, Pittsburgh, Portland, Los Angeles, and other cities; Whereas individuals, including foreign nationals, participating in these riots have made calls for intifada, decolonization, jihad, and other similar calls to eliminate the State of Israel…” Also see: Rubio, Colleagues Call on Biden to Enforce Existing Law, Revoke Visas of Hamas Sympathizers NOTE: On 10/15/23, Rubio sent a letter to Blinken (discussed below) making this same demand and promising legislation to back it up.
Iran
  • (IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 5994: Introduced 10/19/23 by Issa (R-CA) and no cosponsors, “To provide for full enforcement of oil sanctions against Iran, and for other purposes.”
  • (FREEZE IRANIAN FUNDS TO HAVE BEEN RELEASED IN PRISONER EXCHANGE DEAL) HR 6000: Introduced 10/19/23 by Nunn (R-IA) and 1 cosponsor (Republican), “To freeze $6,000,000,000 of Iranian funds held in Qatar, and for other purposes.”
  • (FREEZE IRANIAN $$ IN PRISONER EXCHANGE DEAL) HR 5961: Introduced 10/16/23 by McCaul (R-TX) and 25 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To freeze certain Iranian funds involved in the 2023 hostage deal between the United States and Iran, and for other purposes.“
  • (TO REINSTATE IRAN SANCTIONS) S. 3041: Introduced 10/16/23 by Cotton (R-AR) and 30 cosponsors (19 Republicans plus Manchin, D-WV), “A bill to reinstate certain sanctions imposed with respect to Iran.”  Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Also see: Rep. Cotton introduces bill to reinstate Iran sanctions (Jewish News Syndicate 10/17/23)

 

2. Letters

We Love Israel & Applaud Biden’s Policy in Support of Israel’s War on Gaza

  • (WE SUPPORT BIDEN’s [incoherent] MIDDLE EAST POLICY) Nadler et al letter to Biden: On 10/20/23, Rep. Nadler (D-NY) led a letter, cosigned by “every Democratic Jewish Member and 107 other Democrats in Congress” to Biden to thank him for his ” strong leadership during a tragic and dangerous moment in the Middle East.” The letter goes on: “We stand with you in supporting Israel and are ready to provide whatever assistance the state and people of Israel need to defend themselves and to ensure that hostages return home and those who perpetrated these crimes against humanity are held accountable.” The signer also praise Biden’s readiness to send humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza (readiness that makes very little sense absent a ceasefire or humanitarian pause), and to repeat what is at this point a comically – and painfully – empty formula of U.S. policy: “We agree with you that Israel’s response must be in accordance with international law and our shared democratic values.” Honestly, the rest of the letter is just to annoying to report on – read it yourself you can stomach this level of BS. Also see: Majority of House Democrats, Led By Jewish Members, Unified Behind President Biden’s Leadership in the Middle East

Targeting Palestinians & Their Supporters in the US, Esp. Students & Universities

  • (DEPORT FOREIGN CRITICS OF ISRAEL/DEFENDERS OF PALESTINIANS, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS) Banks et al letter to Blinken & Mayorkas: On 10/20/23, Rep. Banks (R-SC) led a letter, cosigned by 17 cosponsors (all Republicans), to SecState Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, “to request information regarding the potentially unlawful presence on U.S. soil of non-immigrant foreign nationals who have endorsed terrorist activity.” The letter focuses on campus protests links to Israel’s actions in Gaza, characterizing them as support for Hamas, a U.S. designated foreign terrorist organization, and arguing that participating in protests for Palestinian rights and opposing Israeli actions therefore violate U.S. law, and visas for people engaging in such activities should be revoked (and those visa-holders should be deported). The letter asks for answers, by Nov. 7, to two questions: “Does your Department have reason to believe that any current F1, J1, H1, or other non-immigrant visa holders have been rendered ineligible as a result of ‘endorsing or espousing’ terrorist activity by Hamas?” and “Has your Department moved to review or revoke the visas of any such individuals and place the holder into expedited removal proceedings?” Also see: Representatives Jeff Duncan and Jim Banks Call for Deportation of Non-Citizen Terrorist Sympathizers
  • (DEPORT FOREIGNERS IN THE US WHO SUPPORT PALESTINIANS) Rubio et al letter to Blinken: On 10/19/23, Sen. Rubio (R-FL) let a letter, cosigned by 4 fellow House Republicans, to SecState Blinken, asserting that participation in demonstrations in support of Palestinian rights falls under the legal definition of giving material support for terrorist activity, and therefore foreigners in the U.S. who have participated in such protests must have their visas revoked and must be deported. It also calls on officials in U.S. universities to “be required to immediately report pro-Hamas, or related activity [emphasis added], whether on campus or not” and for such activity to be treated as “a disqualifier for continued possession of a visa or lawful status as a student or exchange visitor.” It also demands that any academic institutions that “has officially supported, endorsed, or espoused Hamas or its recent activities, whether by issuing official statements, allowing pro-Hamas demonstrations on campus, or officially recognizing or providing financial assistance to student groups that support Hamas” be made ineligible to sponsor visas under the Depart of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The letter also notes that Hamas is a designated terrorist group and states: “We ask that you coordinate with the U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division and the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence to take action against any institution of higher education that recognizes, or provides financial assistance to, student groups, including but not limited to ‘Students for Justice in Palestine,’ and other similar front organizations” [yes, this letter in effect describes SJP as a Hamas “front” organization]. As a reminder, the current public narrative, ANY public speech or demonstrations in support of Palestinians in Gaza and challening Israel’s actions against them are characterized by defenders of Israel as “pro-Hamas.”  Also see: Rubio, Colleagues Urge Removal of Hamas and Terrorist Supporters
  • (ATTACKING DHS FOR HAVING “PRO-HAMAS” SPOKESWOMAN) Hawley letter to Mayorkas: On 10/19/23, Sen. Hawley (R-MO) sent a letter to Homeland Security Mayorkas calling for the termination of DHS employee, Nejwa Ali. The letter states: “I am alarmed by reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) currently employs a former spokeswoman for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) as an officer charged with adjudicating U.S. immigration cases. According to reports and publicly available records, this employee, Nejwa Ali, has a documented history of making virulently antisemitic, pro-Hamas statements, including in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’ savage attack on innocent American and Israeli civilians. These statements appear to cast severe doubt on her ability to impartially evaluate immigration cases. I am glad to see that she has now been placed on administrative leave—but that is not enough. If these reports are accurate, you must terminate her employment immediately.” Also see: Hawley Demands Answers from Biden DHS for Employment of Pro-Hamas Spokeswoman, Urges Firing
  • (TWO-FER: USE PALESTINIANS TO ACCUSE BIDEN OF WANTING TO FLOOD AMERICAN WITH FOREIGNERS *AND* EXPRESS ANTI-ARAB/ANTI-PALESTINIAN/ISLAMOPHOBIA BY RAILING AGAINST ANY RESETTLMENT OF GAZA REFUGEES IN THE US) Tiffany-Ogles letter to Mayorkas: On 10/16/23, Reps. Tiffany (R-WI) and Ogles (R-TN) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, criticizing the Biden Administration for having resettled Afghans in the U.S., and asserting: “the American people do not want to see this dangerous situation repeated with Palestinians. Moreover, they deserve more than a vague assurance from a White House spokesman that the Biden administration hasn’t yet identified a legally dubious mechanism to flood American neighborhoods with foreigners from a region that is a global hotspot for Islamic terrorism.”  The letter closes: “Along those lines, we would ask that the department make an unequivocal public commitment sooner rather than later not to use ‘categorical parole’ or any other loophole to bring Palestinians into the United States.” Also see: Tiffany, Ogles Demand Answers on Biden’s Potential Plans to Resettle Palestinians into the United States
  • (OPEN A WITCH HUNT AGAINST STUDENT CRITICS OF ISRAEL, ACCUSING THEM OF BEING FINANCED BY TERRORIST ORGS) Hawley letter to Garland: On 10/16/23, Rep. Hawley (R-MO) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging the Department of Justice investigate whether student groups critical of Israel and defending Palestinian rights are being funded by terrorist organization. He writes:  “…There is a long and sordid history of supposedly independent ‘human rights’ groups operating within American borders, that possess longstanding ties to foreign terrorist organizations. To name just one high-profile example, in the early 2000s, the Department of Justice shuttered the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development and jailed its founders, after finding that this supposed charitable organization was funneling money into the pockets of Hamas. It is entirely possible that many of these student organizations, at some level or another, are enmeshed in similar networks—whether as recipients of funding from these malicious actors or as conduits for it [emphasis added]. Given the potential scale of this threat, I urge you to immediately deploy DOJ resources to investigate these organizations’ funding sources. The First Amendment protects the right to protest. But it does not protect the provision of material support to terrorist organizations. Nor does it insulate financial transactions that threaten our national security. Hamas, as you are well aware, is designated a terrorist organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. DOJ should deploy all appropriate authorities to investigate any potential links to organizations that operate within the United States.” Also see: Hawley Urges DOJ Investigate Outside Funding of Far-Left, Anti-Israel Student Groups; Hawley Pushes Mayorkas to Address ‘Terrorist-Linked Aliens’ at Border Following Hamas Attack in Israel; Hawley: Who Is Funding Student Groups Conducting Anti-Israel Protests? (Breitbart 10/13/23)
  • (FIND & DEPORT FOREIGNER STUDENTS WHO CRITICIZE ISRAEL/SUPPORT PALESTINIANS) Cotton letter to Mayorkas: On 10/16/23, Sen. Cotton (R-AR) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas urging him to “immediately deport any foreign national—including and especially any alien on a student visa—that has expressed support for Hamas and its murderous attacks on Israel. These fifth-columnists have no place in the United States. Federal law is clear that any alien who ‘endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization’ is inadmissible and must be deported. Swiftly removing and permanently barring from future reentry any foreign student who signed onto or shared approvingly the anti-Semitic letter from the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee [“anti-semitic” in this context refers to the letter holding Israel “entirely responsible for all of the unfolding violence“] on October 7 would be a good place to start.” Also see: Cotton to Mayorkas: Deport Any Foreign National Supporting Hamas; Sen. Cotton urges DHS to deport foreign nationals who support Hamas: ‘No place in the United States’ (New York Post 10/17/23)

Targeting Hamas

  • (BIG TECH MUST PRESERVE DATA RE: HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL) Cruz et al letters to X, Meta, TikTok, and Google: On 10/20/23, Sen. Cruz (R-TX) led letters, cosigned by 10 Senate colleagues (all Republicans), sent to the leaders of X, Meta, TikTok, and Google. The letters state that “it is imperative that we preserve a full documentary history of Hamas’s atrocities. Ordinarily policies limiting the distribution of disturbing content might make sense, but videos and images uploaded by soldiers, law enforcement, citizens, journalists, and those with real time access to acts of terrorism need to be preserved to aid in prosecuting war crimes, intelligence gathering, media reporting, and the historical record. The role of social media in documenting war crimes and chronicling what happens in times of war is relatively new but highly consequential. [name of social media compan] has a responsibility not to permanently delete any of this content but to preserve it in such a way that the public record and historical record can accurately document the horrific atrocities being carried out.”  The letter goes on to demand – under what they assert is the authority they derive fromt the Standing Rules of the Senate which “provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation jurisdiction over technology including to ‘review and study’ technology ‘ on a continuing basis,” detailed information – to be provided no later than November 3, 2023, about each company’s: Content Policies, Preservation of Documentary Evidence of Terrorism, and Legal Obligations as relates to content related to the Hamas attack on Israel and the war that has followed. Also see: Sen. Cruz, Commerce Committee Colleagues Want Big Tech To Preserve Documentary History of Hamas’s Atrocities
  • (INVESTIGATE HAMAS CRYPTO FUNDRAISING) Warren et al letter to Biden Admin: On 10/17/23, Sen. Warren (D-MA) led a bipartisan/bicameral letter, cosigned by 104 House and Senate members, addressed to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Brian Nelson, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the Department of the Treasury. The letter opens: “We write to express our grave concern regarding reports that, in the months leading up to their brutal and horrific October 7th attack on Israel, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) raised millions of dollars in crypto – evading U.S. sanctions and funding their operations. Indeed, between August 2021 and this past June, the two groups raised over $130 million in crypto, and moved millions among each other, ‘with PIJ sending over $12 million in crypto to Hezbollah since 2023. As the Wall Street Journal reports, ‘[r]esearchers who study Hamas’s financing said crypto remains one of a number of tools the group uses to raise funds.’ Given the clear and present danger posed by the financing of these and other militant organizations, we ask the Administration to provide additional details on its plan to prevent the use of crypto for the financing of terrorism.” The letter asks the Biden Administration to answer a list of questions “regarding Treasury’s plans to address the serious national security threats posed by the use of cryptocurrency to finance terrorism no later than October 31, 2023.” Also see: Warren, Marshall, Casten, 100+ Lawmakers Ask Biden Administration to Address Crypto-Financed Terrorism after Reports of Hamas Raising Millions in Crypto to Fund Operations

US Support for Israel, Including New Aid Package

  • (DON’T COMBINE ISRAEL AID WITH UKRAINE & BORDER AID) Burchett et al letter to Senate leaders: On 10/19/23, Rep. Burchett (R-TN), along with four fellow House Republicans, wrote to Senate leaders Schumer (D-NY) and McConnell (R-KY), warning them not to combine a planned aid package for Israel with funding for Ukraine and the southern border. Making clear their support for an aid package for Israel, they “encourage the Senate to reject President Biden’s misguided attempt to force through aid for Ukraine by tying it to support for the Jewish people and our nation’s security.” Also see Burchett X-post – “.@POTUS wants $60B more for Ukraine, and just $10B for Israel. We cannot endlessly fund a war that’s heading into its third year. Let these votes stand alone and see where the chips fall.” Also see: Rep. Burchett leads letter to Senate leaders to reject tying foreign aid together
  • (DON’T COMBINE ISRAEL AID WITH UKRAINE & BORDER AID) Marshall et al letter to Senate leaders: On 10/19/23, Sen. Marshall (R-KS) led a letter, cosigned by 8 Senate colleagues (all Republicans) to Senate leaders Schumer (D-NY) and McConnell (R-KY), expressing support for an aid package for Israel and noting: “we know there will no doubt be efforts to attach any funding to Israel to more aid to Ukraine, in excess of the already $113 billion Congress has provided to Ukraine. These are two separate conflicts and it would be wrong to leverage support of aid to Israel in attempt to get additional aid for Ukraine across the finish line. Furthermore, it would be irresponsible and we should not risk a government shutdown by bundling these priorities together and thus complicating the process and lessening the likelihood of a funding package. We note that 22 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote to the then-leading candidates to be the next Speaker of the House urging them to deny attempts to couple these issues. We urge you to keep separate attempts to provide military aid to Israel from additional funds to Ukraine or other matters. warning them not to combine a planned aid package for Israel with funding for Ukraine and the southern border.” Also see: Senator Marshall and GOP Colleagues Demand Any Aid Package to Israel Not be Jammed With More Ukraine Funding
  • (SEND ISRAEL MORE IRON DOME & MORE MUNITIONS) Gillibrand et al letter to Biden: On 10/12/23, Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY) and 4 fellow senators plus Sinema (I-AZ) sent a letter to President Biden asking the Department of Defense to “holistically assess its stockpiles of these defense articles — especially Iron Dome interceptors — so that it can quickly transfer these munitions to Israel, upon request. We further urge the Department of Defense to coordinate ammunition transfers with allies, especially those that have joined American calls of support for Israel. Finally, we urge the Administration to quickly evaluate these stockpiles, allied commitments, and near-term Israeli needs and submit to Congress any necessary supplemental assistance packages so that Congress may act quickly to get Israel the support it needs during this crisis.” Also see: Gillibrand Leads Group Of Six Senators To Call For Replenishment Of Iron Dome And For The U.S. To Stand Ready To Provide Additional Munitions To Israel As It Defends Itself

Concern for Amcits in West Bank/Gaza

  • (CONCERN FOR AMCITS IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA) Ramirez/Lee/Tlaib letter to SecState: On 10/18/23, Reps. Ramirez (D-IL), Lee (D-PA), and Tlaib (D-MI) sent a letter to SecState Blinken stating: “We appreciate the Department of State’s effort to keep members of Congress apprised of the situation in Israel and Palestine. Several of us attended the Bipartisan Classified Member Briefing offered on October 12, 2023. However, we are concerned about the lack of meaningful information provided by the Department on the status of civilians, particularly those in Gaza and the West Bank, and the status of American citizens in Palestine. We formally request that the Department provide a subsequent Member-level briefing specific to the status of civilians, particularly those in Gaza and the West Bank, and the status of American citizens in Israel and Palestine. We request it happen in the next 5 business days, given the urgent need for this information…” The letter includes a list of specific questions to be answered.
  • (AID AMCITS TRYING TO FLEE GAZA STRIP) Warren et al letter to Blinken & Sullivan: On 10/17/23, Sens. Warren (D-MA), Markey (D-MA), and Shaheen (D-NH) sent a letter to SecState Blinken and National Security Advisor Sullivan urging them “to do everything possible to provide assistance to U.S. citizens fleeing the Gaza Strip, including our constituents from New England.” The letter goes on: “We fully support Israel’s right to defend itself and we have called for Israel to uphold the rule of law and protect innocent civilians in Gaza. We will continue to do so. We are also concerned that our offices have received requests from multiple families from New England who are seeking assistance. These families are terrified for their lives and growing more frustrated as promises of escape through the opening of the Rafah crossing remain unfulfilled. As with all civilians in Gaza, these families’ situation only grows more concerning as Gaza runs out of food, water, fuel for hospitals, and other critical supplies [due to Israel’s policy of preventing entry into Gaza of all of those things since last week].” They call on the Biden officials to “immediately implement a plan to protect these civilians and request the State Department brief our offices as soon as possible.” Also see: Markey, Warren, and Shaheen Urge Secretary of State Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to do Everything Possible to Assist U.S. Citizens Fleeing Gaza Strip

YES to limited humanitarian measures in Gaza, but NO to calls for ceasefire, de-escalation, etc.

  • (WE’RE NOT CALLING FOR CEASEFIRE OR DE-ESCALATION, BUT WE CAN GET BEHIND HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT FOR PALESTINIANS AS THEY ARE GETTING BOMBED INTO OBLIVION) Murphy et al letter to Blinken: On 10/18/23, Sen. Murphy (D-CT) led a letter, cosigned by 33 fellow senators (all Democrats plus Sanders, I-VT), sent  letter to SecState Blinken “to uphold our country’s proud tradition of leading the international community in providing lifesaving relief by contributing funding for international humanitarian assistance toward this UN appeal.” The letter notably which purports to be motivated by humanitarian concerns notably does not endorse (or even mention the words) “ceasefire” or “humanitarian pause” or “de-escalation.” Indeed, the letter makes clear that the signers support Israel’s continuing military campaign in Gaza: “The United States should continue its steadfast support for Israel while also doing our part to help the UN assist innocent civilians as they flee the violence.” Also see: Senator Gillibrand Calls For Humanitarian Aid To Address Emergency Needs In Gaza
  • (EGYPT: SUPPORT SAFE ZONES/AID CORRIDOR) Moore et al letter to Egyptian Ambassador to US: On 10/18/23, Rep. Moore (R-UT) led a letter, cosigned by more than 100 colleagues (bipartisan), calling on Egypt to “strongly encourage the government of Egypt to engage constructively with the United States, Israel, and relevant international stakeholders to establish and maintain safe zones in southern Gaza, with humanitarian access corridors, for civilians seeking refuge from the fighting in the north of the Strip.” The letter praises Israel for “military operations inside Gaza are designed to avoid civilian casualties” and states: “In order to protect noncombatants and civilians in Gaza from Hamas’s brutality [emphasis added], we call on the Egyptian government to urgently work with the United States, Israel, and relevant international stakeholders to 1) take all measured and appropriate steps to support and facilitate safe zones in southern Gaza and 2) enable a steady supply of humanitarian assistance to flow from Egypt towards those in the safe zones until the civilian population is able to return to the north of the Strip. We are optimistic that the international community will participate in providing financial assistance for this humanitarian situation, but Egypt’s robust participation is essential to the success and the safety and security of up to two million Gazans who are desperately in need of such support. Further, we call upon those states that have been long-standing intermediaries for Hamas, especially Qatar and Türkiye, to help as well.” Raising  Israel-Egypt relations since the Camp David Accords, the letter closes: “We call upon your government once again to maintain this commitment to partnership and quickly take action to support civilians effectively being held hostage by Hamas.” Also see: Congressman Blake Moore Leads Letter Encouraging Egypt to Play Leadership Role, Establish Safe Zones in Southern Gaza
  • (ADDRESS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST) Sherrill et al letter to Blinken: On 10/17/23, Reps. Sherrill (D-NJ), Houlahan (D-PA) and Moulton (D-MA) sent a letter to SecState Blinken urging “As the conflict in Gaza continues to take shape, it’s imperative that the United States, and your department, work to uphold our commitment to preventing the humanitarian situation from deteriorating further. We must continue to encourage Israel to ensure food, water, and power reach Gaza. We should continue to support Israel in meeting its stated goal of minimizing human casualties by working with the Egyptian Government to open Rafah Crossing to refugees. We should also work with both countries to ensure that refugees will be able to return home once the war is over. We can act as a convener for negotiations, as we already have with Israel and Egypt. We can send food aid and medical assistance. We can, and must, use the diplomatic tools available to us to bring the other nations in the region – Egypt, Qatar, and signatories to the Abraham Accords, among others – to the table to work towards an effective humanitarian response. The United States has the opportunity and the responsibility to assist Israel in ensuring the safety of their people and the rescue of hostages. At the same time, we must work to end Hamas’s brutal reign and protect the lives of Palestinian civilians…” Also see: Sherrill, Houlahan, Moulton Reaffirm Support for Israel and Call on Blinken to Address Humanitarian Crisis in Middle East

RESCUE HOSTAGES NOW but NO to calls for ceasefire, de-escalation, etc.

  • (BIDEN MUST DO ALL POSSIBLE TO RESCUE AMCIT HOSTAGES BUT ALSO DON’T DARE ASK ISRAEL TO STOP BOMBING GAZA, WHICH YES, MAY KILL HOSTAGES BUT SHUT UP SHUT UP ONLY AN ANTISEMITIC TERRORIST-LOVER WOULD POINT OUT THIS INCONSISTENCY) Ernst/Booker et al letter to POTUS: On 10/17/23, Sens. Ernst (R-IA) and Booker (D-NJ) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter, cosigned by 47 House and Senate members, urging to do everything in his power to secure the safe release of American citizen hostages held by Hamas. The letter states: “we urge the United States to continue supporting Israel’s urgent efforts to dismantle the threat of Hamas, provide the necessary resources for Israel’s defense, and continue offering whatever support necessary to immediately and safely rescue kidnapped Americans, with particular attention to those who require urgent medical care. Lastly, many families are painfully waiting for any update on the health of their loved ones who have been taken hostage. We urge you to encourage our allies and partners in the region to place pressure on Hamas to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to have access to the hostages while the United States and Israel work to secure their release.” Also see: Ernst, Booker Urge President Biden to Do Everything in His Power to Rescue American Hostages

Attacks on Israel = Attacks Jews, Threats to Israel = Threats to US Jews

  • (PLAYING UP & PLAYING ON FEARS OF JEWISH AMERICANS) Ohio delegation to Ohio Jewish community: On 10/17/23, Rep. Latta (R-OH) led a letter, signed by every member of Ohio’s delegation to Congress, to the Ohio Jewish community. The letter opens: “In the wake of the barbaric terrorist attacks committed by the terrorist organization Hamas against Jewish communities in Israel [note: Hamas attacked/killed/kidnapped Jews and non-Jews alike], we as the elected United States Representatives and Senators from the state of Ohio write to reiterate our unwavering support for your safety and well-being...” Also see: Latta on X

Iran must pay!

  • (HOLD IRAN ACCOUNTABLE FOR HAMAS/HIZBALLAH SUPPORT) Tenney-Moskowitz letter to POTUS: On 10/17/23, Reps. Tenney (R-NY) and Moskowitz (D-FL) sent a letter to President Biden urging him “to hold Iran accountable for funding, training, and supporting the horrific invasion of Israel; to take direct action against the Iran-backed terror group Hamas that launched this attack; and to deter Hezbollah in Lebanon from opening a second front in the north, if they have not already.” The letter also states: “…As you know, the United States has been negotiating what would be a historic achievement: normalization between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Iranian regime is strongly interested in derailing the momentum toward peace between the world’s only Jewish state and the world’s most influential Arab and Islamic State…Terrorists cannot be allowed to hijack this critical peace process. There would be no clearer repudiation of this brutal Iran-backed onslaught than for Israel and Saudi Arabia to establish diplomatic relations as quickly as possible. We urge you to work to insulate Saudi-Israel diplomacy and to expedite efforts to bring about Israeli-Saudi normalization with as few extraneous demands as possible.”  Also see: Congresswoman Tenney, Congressman Moskowitz Urge President Biden to Hold Iran Accountable for Attack on Israel
  • (LINKING TO IRAN TO HAMAS, FREEZE IRAN $$ FROM PRISONER EXCHANGE DEAL) McCaul et al letter to Biden: On 10/13/23, Rep. McCaul (R-TX) led a letter to President Biden, cosigned by 19 fellow House Republicans, citing Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, including hostage taking, and stating: “we write to urge you to take all available action to ensure the $6 billion in Iranian funds currently held in Qatar remains permanently off limits to the Iranian regime. According to your Administration, the $6 billion transferred earlier this year remains in Qatar and has not yet been spent. We implore you to ensure the money cannot be touched by Iran, under any circumstances.”  It closes: “We urge you to immediately use all tools available to permanently ensure that none of these funds can be used by Iran or for the benefit of Iran, and to fully enforce all sanctions against the regime. This would prove that hostage-taking does not pay and ensure the U.S. is taking every possible action to prevent any further Iranian support to Hamas and other terrorist groups and proxies. The entire world has been shaken by the evil that Hamas unleashed on Israel this week. This is a moment of moral clarity. After the atrocities committed this week, the only appropriate action is to cut off all financial avenues currently available to Hamas’ benefactor Iran.” Also see: McCaul Leads Letter with 19 Members of Congress to President Biden Urging the Administration to Freeze $6 Billion Payout to Iran Permanently (dated 10/17/23)
  • (WE NEED ANSWERS RE IRAN’S NUKE PROGRAM) Cramer et al letter to Blinken: On 10/11/23 Sen. Cramer (R-ND) led a letter, cosigned by 14 Senate Republicans, to SecState Blinken arguing (among other things), “As Iran violates its commitments and refuses to comply with the IAEA, your business-as-usual approach to resolving the situation is tantamount to an endorsement of the Iranian regime’s activities. Further, your failure to pursue a censure of Iran, likely in conjunction with ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran that you continue to conceal from Congress, is simply unconscionable.” The letter requests answers to a list of questions, including demands for documents, related to the Biden Administration’s Iran policy. Also see: Sen. Cramer, Colleagues Demand Answers for Violations of Iran’s Nuclear Program

 

3. Hearings & Markups

October 28, 2023: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “Friend and Ally: U.S. Support for Israel After Hamas’ Barbaric Attack.”  The sole announced witness is Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf.

October 25, 2023: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a business meeting to consider the nomination of Jack Lew as the new U.S. ambassador to Israel.

October 25, 2023: The House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions will hold a hearing entitled, “How America and Its Allies Can Stop Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran from Evading Sanctions nd Financing Terror.” Schediled witnesses are: Richard Goldberg, FDD; Gabriel Noronha (JINSA),  Jason Brodsky (UANI) and Adam Zarazinski (INCA Digital). The hearing will also deal with a number of pieces of legislation related to Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah:

  • HR 5921, “No U.S. Financing for Iran Act of 2023”, introduced 10/11/23
  • HR 5923, “Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023”, introduced 10/11/23
  • HR____, “Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act” [PDF]
  • H.R.___, “Iran Counterterrorism Act of 2023” [PDF]
  • H.R.___, “End Financing to Hamas Act of 2023” [PDF]
  • H.R.___, “Freezing-HAMAS Act” [PDF]
  • H.R.___, “Revoke Iranian Funding Act of 2023” [PDF]
  • H.R.___, “Iran Sanctions Accountability Act of 2023” [PDF]

October 19, 2023: The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a markup of various measures related to Iran and the Palestinians listed below. Video is here. For a report on the hearing, see: House Committee advances strongly bipartisan Hamas, Iran legislation, but not without an explosive argument – A House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting that approved bipartisan legislation relating to Iran and Hamas also devolved into a bitter partisan disagreement about the Palestinian people. Measures marked-up were:

  • HR 5826, “To require a report on sanctions under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, and for other purposes.”
  • HR 3774, “To impose additional sanctions with respect to the importation or facilitation of the importation of petroleum products from Iran, and for other purposes.“
  • HR. 3266, “To require the Secretary of State to submit annual reports reviewing the curriculum used by the Palestinian Authority, and for other purposes.“
  • H. Res. 559, “Declaring it is the policy of the United States that a nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran is not acceptable.”
  • HR 2973, “To require the Secretary of Defense to develop, in cooperation with allies and partners in the Middle East, an integrated maritime domain awareness and interdiction capability, and for other purposes.” See: House Committee Advances McMorris Rodgers Bill To Bolster Israeli Security as Hamas Wages War
  • HR 340, “To impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for terrorist organizations, including Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.“
  • H. Res. 599, “Urging the European Union to designate Hizballah in its entirety as a terrorist organization.”

October 19, 2023: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider various nominations include the nomination of Herro Mustapha to be the U.S. Ambassador to Egypt. Hearing video is here; Mustapha’s statement is here.

October 18, 2023: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a contentious hearing to consider the nomination of Jacob Lew to be the U.S. Ambassador to Israel.  Also see: hearing video; Lew testimony;  Lew appears headed for party-line confirmation vote following Senate hearing (Jewish Insider 10/19/23)

POSTPONED October 18, 2023: The House Committee on Homeland Security was scheduled to hold a hearing entitled, An Examination of the Iranian Regime’s Threats to Homeland Security. Scheduled witnesses are: Nathan Sales (former Department of State), Masih Alinejad (Author and Activist), Robert Greenway (Heritage Foundation) and Thomas  Warrick (Atlantic Council). A new date has not yet been announced.

 

4. Selected Media & Press releases/statements

Risch: Plan for post-Hamas Gaza a ‘work in progress’ (Jewish Insider 10/19/23)

Jamaal Bowman’s Jewish allies counter efforts to unseat him over his stances on Israel (The Forward 10/19/23)

Pro-Israel progressives begin to crack down on growing far-left extremism toward Israel (Jewish Insider 10/19/23 – broadside attack on Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now)

Senate pledges to move quickly on Israel aid, will not wait for House (Jewish Insider 10/18/23)

‘Resolved to Act’: Congressional Leaders Promise Jewish Organizations Full Backing for Israel (Haaretz 10/18/23)

Eileen Filler-Corn announces campaign for open House seat in Northern Virginia [“The former Virginia House Speaker plans on centering the Democratic primary campaign on her stalwart support for Israel”] (Jewish Insider 10/18/23)

As Biden visits Israel, Republicans ramp up pressure on administration (Jewish Insider 10/18/23)

Member of Iranian Influence Network To Keep Security Clearance After Pentagon Review (Free Beacon 10/18/23, excerpt: “‘The Biden administration is compromised, but they continue to shamelessly defend allowing an Iranian spy to infiltrate and work at the Pentagon, likely allowing the regime access to highly sensitive information,’ [Senator] Ernst told the Free Beacon. ‘By continuing to brush this offense under the rug instead of taking this national security threat seriously by suspending Tabatabai’s security clearance, the Biden administration doubles down on its appeasement strategy that has already emboldened Iran and its terrorist proxies.'” – Bottom line: critics of the Biden Admin’s Iran policy demanded an review of Tabatabai’s security clearance, and got one, and are now outraged that it didn’t come to the conclusion they demanded)

Under indictment, Sen. Menendez won’t attend classified briefing on Israel (Washington Post 10/17/23)

Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On President Biden’s Trip To Israel And The Importance Of Passing A Strong Aid Package For Israel As Soon As Possible (Schumer, D-NY), 10/17/23)

How Biden and Congress Can Work Together To Support Israel (Op-ed by Sen. Rubio, R-FL, in Real Clear Politics 10/17/23)

Senate Seeks Permanent Freeze on $6 Billion Ransom Payment to Iran (Free Beacon 10/17/23)

Most progressive Democrats tempering calls for Israeli restraint against Hamas [“But a week into Israel’s war against Hamas, Democrats’ factional differences on Israel policy show signs of reemerging”] (Jewish Insider 10/16/23)

Squad members face new vulnerability over anti-Israel activism [“Three left-wing Democratic lawmakers are facing renewed primary competition after equivocating over Hamas terrorism“] (Jewish Insider 10/17/23)

Anti-Israel Democrats Face Campaign Finance Woes and Primary Challenges (The Free Beacon 10/17/23)

House Republicans to subpoena suspended Iran envoy Robert Malley (New York Post 10/16/23)

Rep. Ritchie Torres: Democratic Socialists are ‘indoctrinating’ young Americans with anti-Israel hate in ‘moral monstrosity’ (New York Post 10/15/23)

Rep. Mast wears IDF uniform to counter Rep. Tlaib’s Palestinian flag [“‘Tlaib’s got her flag, I’ve got my uniform,’ the congressman said.”]  (Jewish News Sydnicate 10/13/23)

US House files censure motion against Rep. Tlaib (Jewish News Syndicate 10/13/22) [covered in last week’s Round-Up]

‘Sh-t thing to say’: Tempers flare among House Dems over the Israel war [“Accusations about insensitivity toward Muslims burst out into the open at a caucus meeting.] (Politico 10/11/23)

1.Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups

NOTE: Given the scope and pace of current events — the absolute horror show of Hamas’s attack on Israel and the Israel reaction which at this point is clearly incipient genocide/ethnic cleansing — and given the for the most part morally reprehensible responses from members of Congress in terms of a non-stop stream of dehumanization of Palestinian civilians and support/celebration of military action targeting them, there is no “On the Record” section this week. Check members accounts on X or their websites for yourself if you want to see what they are saying. In general, if they are Democrats the message is: total support for/solidarity with Israel in its campaign and zero concern for even the existence of Palestinian civilians or what Israel is doing to them. From Republicans, it is largely the same, plus an almost universal narrative connecting the Hamas attack to Iran and implicitly or explicitly making the case for war against (and regime change in) Iran (and some Democrats are on these same talking points). And yes, a few Democrats have dared to utter even meek support/concern for Palestinians; they have, predictably, been pilloried by colleagues on both sides of the aisle as antisemites and apologists for terrorism. It is all just soul-crushing to follow, let alone to try to document comprehensively while also following the actual horror-show of genocide unfolding on the ground.

Also, there is no “media” section this week. Just too much to cover. All of it soul-crushing.

Also, for my views on where things are today (as of 4pm ET on 10/13/23, see my thread on the site formerly known as Twitter.

 

1. Bills, Resolutions & letters

Note: With no House Speaker, lots of legislation is being introduced but for now, that’s it (as in, it’s bills are not even being referred to committees. Total standstill).

Support for Israel/Support for Retaliation Against Gaza

(SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL) S. Res. XXX: On 10/13/23, Sens Cardin (D-MD) and Risch (R-ID) announced their intent to introduce a bipartisan resolution supporting Israel when the Senate returns to session next week. Cardin: “…I look forward to swiftly introducing a bipartisan resolution when the Senate reconvenes to demonstrate our ironclad support for Israel’s security.” Risch: “Support to Israel is already on the way, and Congress will work to speed up additional assistance as quickly as possible. I will also continue to press the administration to cut off Iranian resources that fuel these attacks.”

(STANDING WITH ISRAEL, BACKING ISRAELI RETRIBUTION, TARGETING ALL FUNDING FOR PALESTINIANS, TARGETING IRAN) H. Res. 771 (text): Introduced 10/11/23 by McCaul (R-TX) and 414 cosponsors, “Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.” NOTE: H. Res. 771 is identical to H. Res. 768: Introduced 10/10/23 by McCaul (R-TX) and 381 cosponsors (not clear why it was intro’d twice in 2 days). Under this resolution, the House resolves that: “(1) stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists; (2) reaffirms Israel’s right to self-defense; (3) condemns Hamas’ brutal war against Israel; (4) calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas’ brutal war against Israel; (5) calls on Hamas to immediately cease these violent attacks and safely release all living hostages and return the bodies of deceased hostages; 6) mourns the over 900 Israelis and 11 Americans killed and over 2,600 others wounded in Hamas’ unprovoked attack on Israel; (7) reaffirms the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security, including through security assistance in accordance with the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding; (8) urges full enforcement of the Taylor Force Act (title X of division S of Public Law 115–141; 132 Stat. 1143) and other restrictions in United States law to prevent United States foreign assistance from benefiting terrorists, directly or indirectly; (9) condemns Iran’s support for terrorist groups and proxies, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad; (10) urges full enforcement of United States sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran’s funding of terrorist groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad; and (11) stands ready to assist Israel with emergency resupply and other security, diplomatic, and intelligence support.” Also see: McCaul press release – McCaul, Meeks Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Standing with Israel; Meeks press release; In Washington, a massive show of support for Israel on Capitol Hill (Jewish Insider 10/11/23)

(STANDING WITH ISRAEL, BACKING ISRAELI RETRIBUTION) H. Res. 770:  Introduced 10/10/23 by Nunn (R-IA) and 32 cosponsors, “Condemning an act of war against Israel by Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and associated forces, and for other purposes.”

(SUPPLEMENTAL $$ FOR ISRAEL) HR 5918 (text): Introduced 10/10/23 by Tenney (R-NY) and Gottheimer (D-NY), the “‘Operation Swords of Iron’ Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act.” NOTE: this bill seeks to provide $2 billion in supplemental appropriations for Israel for Iron Dome in 2024 – an approach that is somewhat bizarre, given that the regular appropriations that this would supplement have not, in fact, been passed by Congress. Also see: Tenney press release – Congresswoman Tenney Stands with Israel and Introduces Legislation to Restock Israel’s Iron Dome Defense System; Gottheimer press release – Gottheimer, Tenney Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Resupply Israel’s Iron Dome Missile Defense System;Proposal to pair Israel, Ukraine funding boosts appears to be a nonstarter in the House (Jewish Insider 10/11/23)

(NO AID TO PA) HR 5952: Introduced 10/12/23 by Steele (R-CA), “To prohibit United States funds to the Palestinian Authority.” No text available yet. Also see: EXCLUSIVE: Republican congresswoman launches bid to STOP U.S. sending hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Palestinians following Hamas atrocity in Israel (Daily Mail 10/13/23 – excerpt – “In exchange for aid, the Palestinian Authority would have to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign Jewish state, remove and bar Hamas from any government position and condemn terrorism.”)

(SEN. TUBERVILLE: STOP THREATENING US & ISRAELI SECURITY!) H. Res. 778: Introduced 10/11/23 by Ryan (D-NY and 10 cosponsors (all Democrats),  “Demanding Senator Tommy Tuberville stop threatening United States and Israel security.”  Also see: Ryan press release – Congressman Pat Ryan Introduces Legislation Demanding Tommy Tuberville Stop Threatening US and Israeli Security, Lift Month-Long Nominiation Holds.

(CUT OFF ALL FUNDS TO PALESTINIANS & FREEZE IRAN $$) H. Res. 776: Introduced  10/11/23 by Lawler (R-NY) and 8 cosponsors (all Republicans), “Urging the Biden administration to rescind the release of $6,000,000,000 in frozen Iranian funds and to lawfully enforce the Taylor Force Act. ”

(TARGETING REP. TLAIB FOR DARING TO CARE ABOUT PALESTINIANS) H. Res. 772 (text): Introduced 10/11/23 by Bergman (R-MI) and 7 cosponsors (all Republicans), “Censuring Representative Rashida Tlaib.” The “whereas” clauses reprise all the usual attacks on Tlaib, conflating her criticism of Israel with antisemitism; the resolution resolves that the House, “(1) censures Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib; (2) stands with the State of Israel and rejects anti-semitism in all its forms; and (3) renounces fringe beliefs that the State of Israel is an apartheid State.” Also see Bergman’s press release – Bergman Introduces Resolution Censuring Tlaib for Antisemitism

(CONDEMNING THE NYC DSA FOR PROTESTING ISRAEL ATTACKS ON GAZA) H. Res. 775 (text): Introduced by Lawler (R-NY) and 12 cosponsors (all Republicans), “Condemning the New York City-Democratic Socialists of America (NYC-DSA) antisemitic and anti-Israel rally on October 8, 2023.“

 

Iran (Including using Hamas Attack As Hook To Go After Palestinians & Iran)

(IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 5945 (text): Introduced 10/12/23 by Meuser (R-PA) and 12 cosponsors (all Republicans) , “To reinstate certain sanctions imposed with respect to Iran.” This bill would reinstate any sanctions that were waived in connection with the release of frozen Iranian assets in the context of the recent prisoner exchange agreement, re-freeze those assets, and prohibit any future effort to unfreeze them. Also see: Rep. Meuser Introduces Legislation to Freeze $6 Billion to Iran

(IRAN SANCTION) HR 5947: Introduced 10/12/23 by Pfluger (R-TX) and 106 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran, and for other purposes.” Also see: press release – Pfluger Leads 100+ Republicans in Blocking Iran from Accessing $6 Billion. Also see Pfluger X-post – “The Biden Administration’s ‘quiet understanding’ is not good enough. They must plainly reject any funds going to Iran. I just dropped a bill with 100+ lawmakers to block access. If the President refuses to permanently freeze the funds, Congress will.”

(AMCIT GAZA HOSTAGES AS HOOK TO TARGET IRAN/RE-FREEZE $$ FROM PRISONER EXCHANGE) H. Res. 777: Introduced 10/11/23 by Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and 29 cosponsors (all Republicans), “Urging the Biden administration to demand the release of all hostages in Gaza.”  Per Miller-Meeks’ press rlease, this resolution: “(1) urges the Biden Administration to demand the release of all hostages in Gaza; (2) urges the Biden Administration to maintain all applicable sanctions on the Iranian regime, and return to a policy of maximum sanctions pressure; (3) urges the Biden Administration to utilize all other coercive and diplomatic resources at its disposal as necessary to secure the release of Americans wrongfully detained in Gaza; and (4) demands the Biden Administration to refreeze the $6,000,000,000 in Iranian funds released September 11, 2023, for their continued financial support and encouragement of Palestinian terrorist organizations.”

(BLOCKING $$ FOR US-IRAN PRISONER EXCHANGE; CONDITIONING ALL FUTURE UNFREEZING OF IRAN ASSETS ON IRAN COMPENSATING ISRAEL FOR COSTS OF CURRENT WAR; CONFISCATE IRAN’S FROZEN ASSETS AND USE THEM TO FUND MORE ISRAELI ASSISTANCE) HR 5932 (text): Introduced 10/11/23 by Schweikert (R-AZ) and 11 cosponsors (all Republicans), the “Fortify Israel Act,” aka, “To authorize additional assistance to Israel using assets confiscated from the Iran, and for other purposes.” This legislation would block release of any Iranian assets frozen by the U.S. until the President certifies to Congress that “(1) hostilities between Hamas and other Iranian-backed groups and Israel have ceased; and (2)(A) full compensation has been made to Israel for harms resulting from the invasion of Israel by Hamas and other Iranian-backed groups; or (B) Iran is participating in a bona fide international mechanism that, by agreement, will discharge the obligations of Iran to compensate Israel for all amounts determined to be owed to Israel.” It would also give Congress the power to block the unfreezing of any such assets (assuming the certification has been made). And it would authorize the President to confiscate any frozen Iranian assets, including the assets that are supposed to be released under the recent prisoner exchange agreement, and use those assets instead to establish a fund to provide assistance to Israel.  Alse see: Schweikert press release – Schweikert Introduces Legislation Redirecting Frozen Iranian Assets to Support Israel

(IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 5923: Introduced 10/11/23 by Lawler (R-TX) and 3 cosponsors [including 1 Democrat – Gottheimer, D-NY], “To impose restrictions on correspondent and payable-through accounts in the United States with respect to Chinese financial institutions that conduct transactions involving the purchase of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran.”

(IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 5921 (text): Introduced 10/11/23 by Huizenga (R0MI) and 18 cosponsors (all Republicans), the “No U.S. Financing for Iran Act”, aka, “To prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing certain transactions by a United States financial institution in connection with Iran, to prevent the International Monetary Fund from providing financial assistance to Iran, to codify prohibitions on Export-Import Bank financing for the Government of Iran, and for other purposes.“ As summarized in Huizenga’s press release, this legislation:  “Prohibits the Secretary of Treasury from authorizing transactions by U.S. financial institutions to Iran for any goods, services, or technology…does not apply to the sale of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or medical devices benefitting the civilian population of Iran“; “Prevents the IMF from providing financial assistance to Iran and the allocation of Special Drawing Rights” and “Codifies the statutory authority for the prohibition on the Export-Import Bank financing with respect to Iran. The Bank may not guarantee, insure, or extend credit in connection with any transaction for Iran or a government-controlled entity.”

(IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 5912: Introduced 10/6/23 by Waltz (R-FL) and no cosponsors, “To continue in effect certain Executive orders imposing sanctions with respect to Iran, to prevent the waiver of certain sanctions imposed by the United States with respect to Iran until the Government of Iran ceases to attempt to assassinate United States officials, other United States citizens, and Iranian nationals residing in the United States, and for other purposes.“

 

Other

(DISCLOSURE OF FOREIGN $$ OF ACADEMIA) HR 5933 (text): Introduced 10/11/23 by Steel (R-CA) and 13 cosponsors (all Republicans), “To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require additional information in disclosures of foreign gifts and contracts from foreign sources, restrict contracts with certain foreign entities and foreign countries of concern, require certain staff and faculty to report foreign gifts and contracts, and require disclosure of certain foreign investments within endowments.”  Also see Steel press release, Steel, Foxx Bill Will Deter Foreign Adversaries’ Influence in Postsecondary Education

 

2. Letters

(WELL-INTENTIONED LETTER TRYING TO SHOW CONCERN FOR PALESTINIANS) Schakowsky et al letter to Biden & Blinken: On 10/13/23, Rep. Schakowsky (D-IL) led a clearly well-intentioned letter, cosigned by 55 fellow House Democrats, urging President Biden and SecState Blinken to “express our concerns regarding the unfolding humanitarian situation in Gaza as Israel responds to Hamas’ terrorist attack.” In addition to condemning Hamas, the signers note: “As efforts are made to rescue hostages, we urge those carrying out military operations to follow international humanitarian law and protect innocent civilian lives on both sides. We strongly agree with the President’s sentiment that, ‘democracies like Israel and the United States are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law.’ We are deeply concerned about the order to evacuate over a million civilians out of northern Gaza in 24 hours and the devastating humanitarian consequences that would ensue. We are also deeply concerned by the recent comments from Israel Defense Forces leaders that call for a ‘complete siege,’ of the Gaza Strip. As both the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Commission on Human Rights said, imposing a complete siege on Gaza and depriving 2.3 million Palestinian civilians who have nowhere else to go—half of whom are children—of food, water, and electricity, would be a violation of international humanitarian law.”  The letter goes on to urge that the Administration: “1. Communicate that Israel’s response in Gaza must be carried out according to international law and take all due measures to limit harm to innocent civilians; 2. Work to quickly restore the delivery of food, water, fuel, electricity, and other life-saving necessities to Gaza to ensure that innocent civilians have the basics needed for survival; 3. Collaborate with regional partners to establish a humanitarian corridor to enable the delivery of such life-saving necessities and to allow Palestinian civilians and foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, to seek safe haven outside of Gaza [note: even well-intentioned calls for a safe haven outside of Gaza are understood by Palestinians – correctly – as legitimizing what would almost certainly become another round of permanent displacement for Palestinians, akin to what happened in 1948 when they fled their homes in wartime and were never permitted to return]; 4. Publicly discourage any hate crimes and backlash against any American—including Jews and Muslims—including by communicating to the American people that Hamas is not the Palestinian people and the Palestinian people are not Hamas; and 5. Ensure that supplemental funding requests to Congress include humanitarian assistance for both Palestinians in Gaza and Israelis.”  It also notes: “However this current conflict plays out, we feel strongly that the US government and the global community must continue the tough work to achieve lasting peace in the region. The future and safety of Israelis and Palestinians are intertwined. We cannot achieve lasting peace and security for Israelis without addressing the humanitarian crises in Gaza and the West Bank. [note: focusing on the “humanitarian crises” in the West Bank and Gaza, as opposed to talking about the structural violence and apartheid inherent in Israel’s rule in these areas, is deeply concerning, and aligns neatly with longstanding Israeli efforts to in effect erase Palestinians as a political issue or a people with legitimate claims and aspiration, and instead relegate them to merely a humanitarian issue requiring humanitarian intervention only]. Also see press release – Schakowsky, Pocan, Jayapal, McGovern Lead 55 Members in Letter Condemning Hamas Attacks, Urging Protection of Innocent Civilian Lives

(MORE $$ FOR SECURITY FOR US JEWS DUE TO ISRAEL SITUATION) Gallego/Lawler letter to House Approps leaders: On 10/13/23, Reps. Gallego (R-AZ) and Lawler (R-NY) sent a letter to House Approps Chair Granger (R-TX) and ranking member DeLauro (D-CT), urging additional resources for the Non-Profit Security Grant Program. They note: “Following the recent horrific Hamas-led terrorist attacks in Israel, we have seen protests across the country that have fostered anti-Semitic rhetoric and hate speech, and previous conflicts between Israel and Gaza-based terrorist organizations have led to increased anti-Semitism here at home. We are deeply concerned for the safety of 5.8 million American Jewish people – as Hamas has made clear, their conflict is not just with Israel, it is with Jewish people everywhere.” Also see – Gallego, Lawler Call for Increased Security Funding for Nonprofit Institutions

(DEAR QATAR: STOP SUPPORTING HAMAS…[the “or else” is implied]) Ogles/Biggs letter to Qatari Ambassador: On 10/12/23 Reps. Ogles (R-TN) and Biggs (R-AZ) sent a letter to the Qatari Ambassador to the US, “with grave concern regarding Hamas’s unprovoked and criminal assault against the State of Israel.” Ogles notes: “Your nation’s public statements following the attack against Israel fail to inspire much confidence that Qatar is working toward the common good. Such statements have blamed Israel for the pain they are enduring and have reiterated Doha’s view that ‘the international community [needs] to compel Israel to cease its blatant violations of international law.” These sentiments are neither factually accurate nor helpful; if anything, they are serving to embolden those terrorists waging war and capturing American and Israeli hostages. The whole world has seen how Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was able to celebrate his group’s ‘victory’ from his office in Doha – rightfully raising questions among the American people regarding the extent of the relationship between Qatar and Hamas.” The letter thanks Qatar for freezing Iranian funds released in the context of the recent prisoner exchange agreement, and closes: “Qatar can be a responsible state actor that eschews terrorism and violence and paves the path for peace. Whether or not it does so depends on what your government chooses to do next. We urge your nation to: 1). Unequivocally condemn Hamas; 2). Extradite Hamas’s leadership from Doha; and 3). Work with the Biden Administration to ensure that Iran never sees the aforementioned funds.”

(CONCERN FOR AMCITS IN GAZA & WEST BANK) Jacobs et al letter to Blinken: On 10/12/23, Rep. Jacobs (D-CA) led a letter, cosigned by 16 fellow House Democrats, to SecState Blinken, stating: “Thank you for everything the Department of State is doing to help Americans impacted by the war in Israel. We are all devastated by Hamas’ horrific, inexcusable attacks, and all of the innocent civilians who have been kidnapped, killed, or trapped in the crossfire in Israel and Gaza. While we have received frequently updated resources for Americans in Israel, we write to express our concern about the lack of clear information available to our constituents and other Americans who are trying to leave Gaza and the West Bank. Many of them are unclear about what services the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is providing to help Palestinian Americans and American citizens living, working, and traveling in Gaza and the West Bank. As the United States Government works with regional partners to help provide safe passage for civilians to leave the region, we request the Department make efforts to expand their guidance to include additional details pertinent to Palestinian Americans and American citizens in Gaza and the West Bank, ensure embassy staff fluent in Arabic are available to assist them, and publicize this information in an accessible manner.” Also see: Rep. Sara Jacobs Calls on State Department to Expand Resources for Palestinian Americans and Americans in Gaza, West Bank

(EXTEND IRS FILING DEADLINE FOR AMCITS AFFECTED BY HAMAS ATTACKS) Raskin letter to the IRS: On 10/12/23 Rep. Raskin (D-MD) sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel requesting that the IRS extend the  October 16, 2023 federal tax filing and payment extension deadline for Americans “affected by the horrific
and devastating terrorist attacks against Israel.” NOTE: Americans affected by Israel’s massive military campaign in Gaza (there are hundreds of American citizens living in Gaza) do not merit mention in the letter. Also see: Rep. Raskin Urges IRS to Extend Tax Filing Deadlines for Americans Affected by Terrorist Attacks in Israel

(LINKING IRGC TO HAMAS ATTACK; CALLING FOR FREEZE OF $$ FOR IRAN IN PRISONER EXCHANGE) Gallagher et al letter to POTUS: On 10/12/23, Rep. Gallagher (R-WI) led a letter, cosigned by 97 fellow House members (all Republicans), opening with: “Recent reports of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) involvement in planning and giving the ‘final go-ahead’ for Hamas’s terrorist war on Israel demands an immediate response…” The letter goes on to call on President Biden to freeze “the $6 billion provided in exchange for hostages, as well as the $10 billion in released funds based in Iraq, and withhold all waivers, general licenses and specific licenses for the use of use of such funds”; to fully enforce “sanctions on Iranian oil exports to China, which have been unenforced for months, despite China’s crude oil imports from Iran having set a new record” and to “Prevent Iran from accessing any further Special Drawing Rights (SDR) from the International Monetary Fund, through which they have quick access to $6.7 billion, and blocking the further provision of funds to Iran in upcoming SDR packages.” Also see: Gallagher Leads Bipartisan Call for President Biden to Re-Freeze Funds Released to Iran

(FREEZE IRANIAN RELEASED $$) Rosen et al letter to Blinken: On 10/12/23, Sen. Rosen (D-NV) led a letter, cosigned by 13 Senate colleagues (bipartisan) to SecState Blinken opening: “We write to you in light of Hamas’ violent and horrific terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7 which killed over a thousand innocent civilians, including American citizens. Given Iran’s history of supporting acts of terrorism through Hamas, the United States must do everything in its power in the wake of this brutal attack to ensure that Iran is not in a position to continue funding Hamas’ terrorist activities in Israel and throughout the Middle East. While we understand that there are reports of an agreement with Qatar to freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets, we urge you to make this decision official U.S. policy and continue your efforts to limit Iran’s ability to provide support to Hamas.” It closes: “While the U.S. intelligence community continues to assess Iran’s role in the October 7 terrorist attacks, it is clear that Iran’s support for Hamas has sustained the terrorist group, ensuring that Hamas had the means to carry out their abhorrent attack on Israel. Iran has been unrelenting in its backing of terrorist groups in an effort to expand its malign influence in the Middle East. We therefore strongly urge you to make it official U.S. policy to freeze the $6 billion in Iranian assets currently held in Qatar, and continue to hold Iran accountable for its violent and destabilizing actions, including direct support of Hamas. We look forward to working with you to assist Israel in its time of need and ensure it has the resources and tools needed to defend itself against Iranian-sponsored terrorism.” Also see: Rosen, Ernst Lead Bipartisan Group of Senators Pushing Biden Administration to Officially Freeze Iranian Assets

(OPENING HOUSE INVESTIGATION INTO BIDEN ADMIN FOR USE OF OFFICIALS TIED TO IRANIAN REGIME) Comer/Grothman letter to Blinken: On 10/11/23, Reps. Comer (R-KY) and Grothman (R-WI) sent a letter to SecState Blinken informing him: “The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the Biden Administration’s efforts to conceal details about its ongoing secret nuclear negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran from Congress, ignoring statutory obligations for congressional oversight. The Administration’s lack of transparency is even more troubling in light of press reports about Iran’s direct role in this weekend’s horrific attack on Israel by Hamas and additional revelations that former Special Envoy for Iran (SEI), Robert Malley, and members of his negotiating team may have had compromising ties to the Iranian regime. We request documents, information, and a briefing to assist the Committee’s investigation of these matters…” Also see: Comer & Grothman Investigate Biden Administration’s Use of Officials with Compromising Ties to Iranian Regime in Secret Negotiations

(PROTECT JEWISH STUDENTS FROM PROTEST FOR PALESTINIANS WHO ARE NOW BEING BOMBED OUT OF EXISTENCE) Walberg et al letter to Education Secretary Cardona: On 10/11/23, Rep; Walberg (R-MI) led a letter, cosigned by 43 House colleagues (seem to all be Republicans but check for yourself), to Secretary of Education Cardona arguing, in effect, that pro-Palestinian demonstrations on U.S. campuses are by definition acts of antisemitism and therefore must be prevented according to schools’ “legal obligation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” and calling on the Department of Education to put campuses that allow such demonstrations at the top of their list of campuses to visit as part the Department’s “Antisemitism Awareness Campaign.” The letter direct Cardona to “immediately inform us of any actions that have been a part of the Antisemitism Awareness Campaign, including any prior or planned campus visits.” Also see: Walberg Leads Colleagues in Demanding Safety for Jewish Students on College Campuses

(UPDATE CONGRESS ON ACTIONS TO HOLD IRAN ACCOUNTABLE FOR VIOLATING THE JCPOA – YES, THE SAME JCPOA THAT TRUMP PULLED THE US OUT OF] Letter to SecState Blinken: On 10/11/23, Sen. Rubio (R-FL) led a letter, cosigned by 14 Senate colleagues (all Republicans) to SecState Blinken. The press release accompanying the letter explains: “Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio led Republican colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting an update on U.S. action to hold Iran accountable for the multiple violations of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Back in 2015, the JCPOA was signed by the Obama Administration, Iran, and other countries agreeing to place restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. One condition included the JCPOA tasking the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure the regime in Tehran adheres to nuclear restrictions. Even with the signed agreement, Iran proves to be non-compliant and further continues nuclear programs. ”

(SEND MORE ASSISTANCE TO AMCITS IN ISRAEL) Hawley letter to Binken: On 10/11/23, Rep. Hawley (R-MO) sent a letter to SecState Blinken urging him to “consider additional U.S government-facilitated transport options for Americans attempting to return home” from Israel (Americans in Gaza and the West Bank merit no mention in the letter). Hawely also asks for answers “as soon as possible” to a series of questions: “1. Is the State Department actively planning to provide additional travel assistance to Americans in Israel? 2. Is the Department or any other U.S. agencies planning to conduct airlifts or equivalent government-facilitated transportation to help Americans in the region return home? 3. If plans have been made, how will the State Department communicate those travel options? 4. When can Americans expect information on how to return home? When can we expect decisions about transportation options to be made?” Also see: Hawley press release

(GIVE MORE IRON DOME & MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL) Rosen/Rounds/Gillibrand/Scott letter to SecDef Austin: On 10/10/23, Sens. Rounds (R-SD), Rosen (D-NV), Gillibrand (R-NY) and Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to SecDef Austin urging: “As you know, the United States Army is currently in possession of two Iron Dome batteries that have not been deployed and have no operational use inside the United States where they are currently stored. Immediately transferring these two Iron Dome batteries that are not in use to Israel would provide tangible, life-saving and sustained support to our ally as it faces rocket and missile salvos that threaten to overwhelm its defenses. We likewise implore you to provide Israel with other defensive assets that could be useful as it faces this  unprecedented onslaught of terrorist violence.” Also see: press release

(CONDEMN HAMAS ATTACKS, BLAME BIDEN ADMIN DUE TO $$ FOR IRAN, AND DON’T YOU DARE CALL FOR “RESTRAINT!”) McCaul et al letter to Biden: On 10/10/23, Rep. McCaul (R-TX) led a letter, cosigned by 17 fellow House Republicans, to President Biden, to “strongly condemn the abhorrent terrorist attacks by Iran-backed Hamas...” The letter goes on: “We are also deeply concerned about the administration’s recent actions, including its wrongful and misguided decision on the anniversary of September 11, to release $6 billion in frozen funds as part of a prisoner exchange to the Iranian regime, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. While apparently no funds have been spent yet and reportedly will only be used for humanitarian aid, this action surely has freed up Iran’s other funding streams to bankroll its proxies like Hamas that carried out this deadly and large-scale terrorist attack against Israel. According to reports, the Iranian regime was involved in plotting and approved the attacks on Israel.” It also calls out the Administration over SecState Blinken tweeting – and then deleting posts seeming to suggest lack of support for Israeli retaliation against the Gaza Strip, noting: “These initial reactions from your administration are very concerning. Your administration’s foreign policy has resulted in a number of national security failures and demonstrated utter weakness on the world stage. We must affirm that Israel has every right to respond to these barbaric acts of terror.” And it closes: “We plan to convene a hearing to not only examine the persistent threats posed by the Iranian regime’s campaign to direct operations against U.S. persons, dissidents, or other targets in the U.S. homeland, while they call for the ‘death of Israel’ and ‘death to America,’ but will also include a critical discussion about these horrific acts of terror and what they mean for our homeland security during these uncertain times. We urge you to immediately re-examine your actions and inactions on Iran and its terrorist proxies and provide Israel with whatever assistance is needed to respond to these terrorists. While you say that your administration stands with the State of Israel, we certainly expect your actions will follow accordingly. We stand ready to do our part.” Also see – McCaul, Homeland Republicans Condemn Terrorist Attacks on Israel, Express Concern Over Admin’s Dealings With Iran

(IRAN IS BEHIND HAMAS ATTACKS; G7 MUST SANCTION IT SEVERELY) Scott et al letter to POTUS: On 10/10/23, Sen. Scott (R-FL) led a letter, cosigned by 9 fellow Senate Republicans, to President Biden. The core of the letter: “We know that the Iranian regime is behind the brutal attacks on innocent civilians being carried out by terrorists from Hamas and Palestinian Jihad. The United States and our allies cannot ignore this reality for a second longer. We the undersigned senators urge you to immediately convene the G7 nations and take coordinated action to further isolate Iran with severe sanctions and action that will strike directly at the wealth that this evil brings to the Ayatollah and the Iranian mullahs.” It goes on: “We have seen the responses from your administration regarding your decision to unfreeze $6 billion of Iranian oil revenue. Mr. President, money is fungible and if you truly believe that this decision did not play a role in the brutality Hamas unleashed on Israel last weekend, you are gravely mistaken. We urge you to immediately reverse your decision regarding these funds and, as the leader of the free world, lead America’s partners and allies in securing agreements from as many nations as possible to take the most severe economic and diplomatic action against Iran possible under law.” Also see: Scott press release.

(RE-FREEZE IRAN $$ UNFROZED FOR PRISONER DEAL) Blackburn et al letter to POTUS: On 10/9/23 Sen. Blackburn (R-TN) led a letter, cosigned by 19 fellow Senate Republicans, to President Biden, calling on the State Department “to freeze the accounts in Qatar containing $6 billion in Iranian funds that were released from South Korean accounts in September.” The letter goes on: “To stand by and allow Iran access to these funds as Hamas infiltrates Israel and murders, rapes, and mutilates countless Israelis is unconscionable. Your administration claims these funds are only available for humanitarian use, but money is fungible, and there is a significant risk they could be used to further efforts by Iran or Hamas against Israel. Moreover, allowing $6 billion to flow into Iran’s economy, even if the purpose is for humanitarian aid, allows the Iranian regime to reallocate even more funds to supporting terrorism…” Also see: Blackburn press release

(HELP GET NEW YORKERS OUT OF ISRAEL) Meng letter to Blinken: On 10/9/23, Rep. Meng (D-NY) sent a letter to SecState Blinken stating, “While I appreciate the steps the Biden administration is taking to provide additional security assistance to Israel, I urge the State Department to use all resources at its disposal to help those Americans that remain in Israel return to the United States. As you are aware, airlines have cancelled most flights out of Ben Gurion Airport, and some have suspended operations in the region. As the number of casualties continues to rise, my constituents who remain in Israel fear for their lives.” She goes on: “Given the fluid situation on the ground, I ask that you provide my office with an update as soon as possible as to the status of the State Department’s efforts to assist Americans in returning to the United States. This includes ensuring that commercial flights remain accessible to all Americans who remain in Israel and the Department’s efforts to stay in contact with all those looking to leave. I ask that the Department also provide an update on other opportunities for evacuation, including chartered flights or military aircraft. As our allies and partners begin to explore this option for their respective citizens that remain in Israel, I urge the Department to consider these options, simultaneously.” Notably, Americn citizens in the West Bank and Gaza do not merit mention in the letter. Also see: Meng press release NOTE: This letter was subsequently re-released with a change in pronouns (from “I” to “we”, a new date (10/10) and a long list of cosigners.

(HELP GET NEW YORKERS OUT OF ISRAEL) Chris Smith letter to Blinken: On 10/9/23, Rep. Smith (R-NJ) sent a letter to SecState Blinken urging urging him “to use all appropriate U.S. resources and tools to arrange for the immediate evacuation of American citizens in Israel who are desperately trying to return home.” He closes: “Given the unprecedentedly savage nature of Hamas’s sneak attack—which included the abduction and threat to execute hostages, the systematic committing of unspeakable atrocities on civilians, and the threat that Iran or its proxies will act to trigger general war in the region—we have an obligation to give Israel the support it needs to definitively defeat its terrorist enemies. At the same time, you must move heaven and earth to get U.S. citizens out from harm’s way. Every American who is looking to return home must have the opportunity to do so.” Notably, Americn citizens in the West Bank and Gaza do not merit mention in the letter. Also see: Smith press release

(BIDEN – YOU SUCK! ALSO, SUPPORT ISRAEL NOW!) Tennessee Republicans’ letter to POTUS: On 10/8/23, 9 Republican members the Tennessee delegation in Congress (House and Senate) sent a letter – led by Sen. Blackburn (R-TN), to President Biden, opening with: “We write today to express our unwavering support for Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East, and our outrage at your administration’s failed leadership on the international stage.” The letter then goes on to slam the Biden Administration for calling for “refrain from violence” on the part of Israel (linking to a meek Biden Administration X-post that, in fact, was immediately deleted) and asserting that “So far, the administration’s response has been far weaker than Israel—a shining beacon of democracy and our most important ally in the Middle East—deserves”; suggesting that the Biden Administration bears responsibility for  Hamas’s attack: “The failures of this administration on the world stage have no doubt emboldened those who would wish America and our allies harm“; and asserting: “The world needs American leadership, and this administration has left a void that the New Axis of Evil and terrorist groups like Hamas have already begun exploiting.” The letter closes: “We urge this administration to support Israel however possible, including by providing any and all weapons and munitions necessary, and to punish the terrorists who did this, along with those who aid them. We must act swiftly and strongly.” Also see: Blackburn press release

(GIVE US ANSWERS RE MALLEY & IRAN INFLUENCE CAMPAIGN) Risch/McCaul/Hagerty/Mast letter to Blinken: On 10/6/23, Sens. Risch (R-ID) and Hagerty (R-TN), along with Reps. McCaul (R-TX) and Mast (R-FL) sent a letter to SecState Biden to express “deep concerns with allegations surrounding Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley and an alleged Iranian regime-sponsored influence campaign in the United States.” After laying out all the allegations, the letter presents a long list of questions regarding Malley, DOD official Ariane Tabatabai, and what the State Department is doing to investigate, requesting “immediate” answers. Also see: press release; Free Beacon article

 

3. Hearings & Markups

October 19, 2023: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a markup of various measures related to Iran and the Palestinians, including:

  • HR 5826, “To require a report on sanctions under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, and for other purposes.”
  • HR 3774, “To impose additional sanctions with respect to the importation or facilitation of the importation of petroleum products from Iran, and for other purposes.“
  • HR. 3266, “To require the Secretary of State to submit annual reports reviewing the curriculum used by the Palestinian Authority, and for other purposes.“
  • H. Res. 559, “Declaring it is the policy of the United States that a nuclear Islamic Republic of Iran is not acceptable.”
  • HR 2973, “To require the Secretary of Defense to develop, in cooperation with allies and partners in the Middle East, an integrated maritime domain awareness and interdiction capability, and for other purposes.”
  • HR 340, “To impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for terrorist organizations, including Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.“
  • H. Res. 599, “Urging the European Union to designate Hizballah in its entirety as a terrorist organization.”

October 19, 2023: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing to consider various nominations include the nomination of Herro Mustapha to be the U.S. Ambassador to Egypt.

October 18, 2023: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Jacob Lew to be the U.S. Ambassador to Israel.

October 18, 2023: The House Committee on Homeland Security will hold a hearing entitled, An Examination of the Iranian Regime’s Threats to Homeland Security. Scheduled witnesses are: Nathan Sales (former Department of State), Masih Alinejad (Author and Activist), Robert Greenway (Heritage Foundation) and Thomas  Warrick (Atlantic Council)

 

 

1.Bills, Resolutions & Letters
2. Israel & AIPAC in the 2024 Election Cycle
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Media & Reports
5. Members on the Record

 

1. Bills, Resolutions & letters

(NO WAIVER OF IRAN SANCTIONS) S. 3028 (pdf): Introduced 10/4/23 by Ernst (R-IA) and 14 cosponsors (all Republicans), “A bill to continue in effect certain Executive orders imposing sanctions with respect to Iran, to prevent the waiver of certain sanctions imposed by the United States with respect to Iran until the Government of Iran ceases to attempt to assassinate United States officials, other United States citizens, and Iranian nationals residing in the United States, and for other purposes,” aka the ‘‘Preventing Underhanded and Nefarious Iranian Supported Homicides Act of 2023,’’ aks the ‘‘PUNISH Act of 2023’’. Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. This legislation would, in effect, wipe out all presidential waiver authority for all Iran sanctions, and impose an across-the-board ban on waiving/removing any sanctions until “30 days after the date on which the President submits to Congress the certification described in section 401(a) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8551(a)).” Under that section of law, the President must certify to Congress that: “(1) the Government of Iran has ceased providing support for acts of international terrorism and no longer satisfies the requirements for designation as a state sponsor of terrorism…” and “(2) Iran has ceased the pursuit, acquisition, and development of, and verifiably dismantled its, nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and ballistic missiles and ballistic missile launch technology.”

Also see:

(IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 5826 (pdf): Introduced 9/28/23 by Wilson (R-SC) and Moskowitz (D-FL), “To require a report on sanctions under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, and for other purposes,” aka the “No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act of 2023.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary. This bill is a kitchen-sink approach, combining a wish-list of Iran-related policies:

  • It would require a report/certification every 6 months for the next 6 years on funds the Biden Administration returned to Iran as part of the recent prisoner exchange;
  • It would require an annual review and report – for the next 6 years – on Iranian hostage-taking of Americans during the prior 10 years and foreign persons with responsibility for these actions, and a report on sanctions imposed for these actions;
  • It would bar the U.S. from granting visas to permit entry to the US of Iranian officials or their family members, including with respect to coming to the UN (in violation of the UN Headquarters agreement), and require an annual report for the next 6 years on compliance with this requirement;
  • It would require a detailed annual report, for the next 6 years, on Iranian assets blocked by the U.S.;
  • It would require a detailed annual report, for the next 6 years, on efforts to “freeze and seize” additional Iranian assets;
  • It would require an annual report, for the next 6 years, on whether travel by American citizens to Iran “presents an imminent danger to the public health or physical safety of United States travelers” and whether “the Secretary of State is excercising his authority to declare United States passports invalid for travel to, in, or through Iran“;
  • It would require the submission of a detailed strategy to “deter and prevent wrongful detention and hostage-taking by United State adversaries, identifying clear United States Government policies barring the payment of ransom, an detailing plans to coorarnate with United States allies and partiers on such strategy.”

Also see:

(ANNIVERSARY OF KHASHOGGI MURDER) H. Res. 753 and S. J. Res. 46: Introduced 9/30/23 by Connolly (D-VA) and 31 cosponsors (all Democrats), and in the Senate by Kaine (D-VA) and 16 cosponsors (all Democrats plus Sanders, I-VT), “Commemorating the fifth anniversary of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and calling for accountability.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release: Connolly, Kaine, Warner Introduce Resolution to Commemorate 5th Anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s Murder

(KHASHOGGI LEGACY IN LAW) HR 5855: Intoduced 9/29/23 by Schiff (D-CA) and 3 cosponsors (all Democrats), “To enshrine the legacy of Jamal Khashoggi by protecting activists and journalists, codifying the Khashoggi Ban, and introducing the Khashoggi Amendment to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 

Letters

(REQUIREMENTS FOR A SAUDI DEAL) Murphy et al letter to Biden: On 10/4/23 Sen. Murphy (D-CT) led a letter, cosigned by 19 fellow Senate Democrats, to President Biden, “regarding reports of U.S.-backed efforts to facilitate the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.” In the letter the senators share the “views on the parameters of any potential proposal that aligns with U.S. security goals and advances your stated goals for long term peace, stability and justice in the region.” Specifically:

  • “A high degree of proof would be required to show that a binding defense treaty with Saudi Arabia – an authoritarian regime which regularly undermines U.S. interests in the region, has a deeply concerning human rights record, and has pursued an aggressive and reckless foreign policy agenda – aligns with U.S. interests, especially if such a commitment requires the U.S. to deploy substantial new permanent resources to the region.”
  • “While we should seriously consider whether it is in U.S. interests to help Saudi Arabia develop a domestic nuclear program, we should always maintain the high bar of the ‘gold standard’ 123 Agreement and insist on adherence to the Additional Protocol. And as the devastating war in Yemen has shown, the provision of more advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia should be done with careful deliberation to ensure that such equipment only be used for truly defensive purposes and does not contribute to a regional arms race.“
  • “To the extent the United States is considering the precedent-breaking upgrade to our security relationship with Saudi Arabia outlined above as part of a comprehensive security and recognition areement between Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, the agreement should include meaningful, clearly defined and enforceable provisions to achieve your stated objective of preserving the option of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to ensure that there be ‘equal measures of dignity and security’ for both Israelis and Palestinians. This should include, among other measures, a commitment by Israel not to annex any or all of the West Bank; to halt settlement construction and expansion; to dismantle illegal outposts (including those that have been retroactively “legalized”); and to allow the natural growth of Palestinian towns, cities and population centers and the ability to travel without interference between and among contiguous Palestinian areas.”

Also see:

(“PROTECT” JEWISH STUDENTS FROM…CRITICISM OF ISRAEL) Scott letter to Univ of South Florida: On 10/4/23 Sen. Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to the president of the University of South Florida to “reiterate USF Hillel’s concerns with the “First Annual Tampa Bay BDS Conference” taking place on USF’s campus this month.” Scott writes: “I understand this event is organized by Students for Socialism (SFS) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), and respect these students’ rights to free speech. However, I was proud to lead an effort as governor to implement Florida’s anti-BDS law, which prohibits public entities from entering into contracts with companies that boycott Israel to show the world that Florida does not support those who boycott Israel.” Scott goes on to note (in language that can be read both as helpful and threatening), “You may be aware that there are federal resources for educational institutions such as the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which offers technical assistance regarding Title VI’s prohibition of antisemitic discrimination. OCR may also be able to assist with the filing of discrimination complaints. Additionally, the Department of Education offers funding and resources through its technical assistance centers. And as always, my team stands ready to assist with accessing any of the resources above. I am confident that, with your leadership and commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive campus environment, the USF can navigate these challenges effectively.”

Also see:

(SUSPEND DOD OFFICIAL’S CLEARANCE FOR [alleged] IRAN TIES) Wicker et al letter  to SecDef Austin: On 9/29/23 Sen. Wicker (R-MS) led a letter to SecDef Austin, cosigned by 30 colleagues (all Republicans), regarding allegations of links to Iran made in the press against DOD official Ariane Tabatabai. The letter express concern that an individual who “allegedly served as part of an Iranian Foreign Ministry information operation is currently serving in a senior Department of Defense position” and urges Austin to “take immediate action to ensure that the Department has not been compromised.” The letter goes on: “The fact that the Department initially responded to these latest allegations by rushing a full-throated defense of Ms. Tabatabai, rather than taking the time to ensure that our national security has not been compromised, suggests that you are protecting hiring missteps rather than prioritizing national security.” The letter urges DOD to “suspend Ms. Tabatabai’s security clearance immediately pending further review, as the State Department did with her former supervisor, Robert Malley,” in addition to asking for answers to a list of questions about Tabatabai’s security clearance process, due by October 6.

Also see:

(FULL TRANSPARENCY RE: INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED IRAN-LINKED DOD EMPLOYEE) Stefanik et al letter to SecDef Austin: On 9/29/23 Rep. Stefanik (R-NY) led a letter to SecDef Austin, cosigned by 9 fellow House Republicans, expressing concerns “over reports that a current Department of Defense (DOD) employee played an integral role in propagating Tehran’s narrative throughout the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiations…” The letter goes on to argue that “It is shocking and unacceptable that the DOD is employing someone who worked so closely with the Iranian regime…“, citing recent allegations made against Arianna Tabatabai.  The letter adds, “The allegations that a current Department of Defense employee has worked with Tehran to advance their narratives highlights the clear failure within DOD to property vet employees. Following this concerning reporting, we are requesting that the DOD immediately suspend the security clearance of Ms. Tabatabai.” It closes: “We are demanding the DOD’s full cooperation with Congress on this investigation [of Tabatabai’s hiring and her work] to ensure transparency and accountability into these matters are taken seriously. We are also requesting that you provide a briefing on the hiring and employment history of Ms. Tabatabai along with the status of your investigation by October 13, 2023.”

Also see:

2. Israel & AIPAC in the 2024 Election Cycle

  • Progressive Democrats in Congress Have Had Our Backs. Now We Need to Have Theirs. [“Leaders like Summer Lee, Jamaal Bowman, and Ilhan Omar have been on the front lines of the fight for workers’ rights, racial justice, a just foreign policy, action on climate change, reproductive freedom, housing justice, student debt cancellation, and so much more. Their voices in Congress are invaluable as megaphones for our people-powered movement. That’s why AIPAC is directly targeting them—because they’re fighting for everything the GOP opposes.”] (The Nation 10/4/23)
  •  With Feinstein’s death, pro-Israel Senate makeup may be in jeopardy, experts say (Jewish News Syndicate 10/4/23)
  •  Bowman faces renewed vulnerability back home after pulling fire alarm [“…the incident has brought renewed attention to George Latimer, the popular Westchester County executive, who has previously met with AIPAC about launching a campaign. Latimer, a veteran Democratic legislator, has long delayed publicly revealing his plans for the race, even as AIPAC officials remain convinced that he is the best candidate to oppose Bowman, according to a local Jewish activist familiar with the pro-Israel group’s thinking. ‘They think he’s very beatable, even more so in the last few days,’ the activist, who requested anonymity to discuss private deliberations, told Jewish Insider on Monday, adding that AIPAC believes ‘everyone should be encouraging’ Latimer to enter the race. Pro-Israel advocates are now increasing pressure on Latimer to make a decision soon as Bowman continues to face scrutiny for activating a fire alarm in a House office building just before lawmakers approved a stopgap government funding bill.“] (Jewish Insider 10/3/23)
  •  Bowman’s fire alarm fallout resonates back home and in Washington [“…Those close to Bowman said he was embarrassed by the confusion and was cooperating with investigators. And that Republicans frothing at the mouth should release the security video, not just a still. But Latimer’s name quickly started making the rounds. This is politics, after all, and the Democratic Westchester County executive and proven vote-getter has notably not ruled out that he’s running against Bowman in 2024, as AIPAC looks for a challenger more aligned with the group’s position on Israel. ‘I’m interested if AIPAC says anything,’ one House staffer who requested anonymity to discuss the situation said, ‘and it’s not like (Bowman) was the most popular figure previously.’”] (Politico 10/2/23)

3. Hearings & Markups

Nothing.

4. Media & Reports

Menendez/Egypt Aid

Khashoggi Murder/Saudi Arabia

Iran

Other

5. Members on the Record

Israel [House Chaos – CR & Leadership Battle]

Amir Ohana (speaker of the Knesset) 10/3/23: X-post – “Kevin McCarthy is a true friend of Israel, in every role he has served. As Speaker of the House, he did more than any other to strengthen the bond between our legislatures, and chose the Knesset to be the first parliament he visited outside of America. As Speaker of the Knesset, I am grateful for everything he has done to promote US-Israel relations and Knesset-Congress ties  I’m sure there is more to come. Thank you Kevin.“@SpeakerMcCarthy

Stefanik (R-NY) 10/3/23: as part of floor statement in support of McCarthy (R-CA), “Under Kevin’s leadership, he has brought hundreds and hundreds of bipartisan Members of Congress to Israel, our greatest ally.”

DeLauro (D-CT) 9/30/23: in context of the battle over keeping the government open, “Yesterday, Republicans voted to defund our support for our allies in the Middle East, including a billion-dollar cut to Israel, with a further cut to Jordan. That did not work, so today, the target is Ukraine, despite the fact that it is the majority’s will, demonstrated several times this week, to provide support for Ukraine’s self-defense.”

Schneider (D-IL) 9/29/23: X-post – “In an attempt to pass Speaker McCarthy’s extreme bill to fund the government, 90% of House Republicans voted to cut Israel’s security funding. The other 10% voted that the cut was not big enough. Israel’s security is America’s security. This vote was disgraceful.”

Gottheimer (D-NJ) 9/29/23: X-post – “Not only will the far-right’s legislation to stop a shutdown hurt our children, military, seniors, and veterans, but it will cut security assistance to Israel — our key ally in the Middle East. Our relationship is critical to protecting our national security and fighting terror.”

Jackson Lee (D-TX) 9/29/23: floor statement – “Of course, they are not recognizing the needs of energy support for those low-income families and not helping those communities that are suffering every day from natural disasters. We know the West has suffered from fires. We in the southwest have suffered from floods. Of course, they are disrespecting the needs of Israel and Ukraine.”

DeLauro (D-CT) 9/29/23: floor statement – “This bill would slash investments in cancer research, leave communities recovering from natural disasters out to dry, and undercut allies with a $1 billion cut to Israel and further cuts to our support of Ukraine. It defunds law enforcement by 30 percent and makes our communities less safe. It takes food out of the mouths of millions.” And later: “Mr. Speaker, I find it unbelievable that the gentlewoman from New York would support a bill that cuts $1 billion from our ally in the Middle East–that is, from Israel.” And “Let’s take a look at our allies. We speak about Israel and Ukraine. Israel will receive a $1 billion cut in the funds that the U.S. provides. We talk about Israel as being our closest ally in the Middle East.”

Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) 9/29/23: floor statement – “the gutting cuts in this bill do not continue current funding like we have historically done in continuing resolutions. Instead, this so-called CR slashes cancer and Alzheimer’s research, defunds the police, and undercuts allies like Israel and Ukraine.”

Israel [general]

Sinema (D-AZ) 10/4/23: press release – Following Sinema’s Calls, Departments of State & Homeland Security Announce Inclusion of Israel in Visa Waiver Program

Pannetta (D-CA) 10/4/23: X-post – “Wonderful to welcome Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog to discuss the ironclad alliance and partnership between our two countries as we work toward greater democracy in Israel and stability, peace, and prosperity throughout the Middle East.“

Tenney (R-NY) 10/2/23: X-post (with video clip) – “At a time when Israel faces some of its greatest threats, such as Iran and Palestinian terrorism, we must stand resolute with our greatest ally in the Middle East. My amendment, which passed the House, prevents funds from being used to relocate our embassy out of Jerusalem!” [covered in last week’s Round-Up]

Egypt

Doggett (D-TX) 10/5/23: X-post – “Egypt’s authoritarian leader ‘presides over a rotating system of rights violations.’ The US should not reward a regime that routinely ignores the rule of law, jails journalists & political opponents, and violates human rights. It’s long past time to pause military aid to Egypt.” Linked to article, The Senate begins to stand up to Egypt’s dictator (Washington Post editorial board 10/3/23)

Omar (D-MN) 10/4/23: X-post – press release – Rep. Omar Statement on Egyptian Elections [“Dozens of opposition leaders detained. Buying off votes. Bribing so-called supporters. This is not how a democracy works. This is only the latest in a long line of rampant anti-democratic measures and human rights abuses under 2013 Egyptian coup leader and current dictator Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.“]

“I am grateful to Senator Cardin for taking a first step and placing $320 million in aid on hold. There must be full accountability and consequences from the U.S.—and a halt to military aid—particularly ahead of another expected sham election.”

Cardin (D-MD) 10/4/23: X-post – “As Chairman of @SFRCdems, I believe it is imperative that we continue to hold the government of Egypt, and all governments, accountable for their human rights violations.”

Lee (D-CA) 10/4/23: X-post – “It is overdue for Congress to put a spotlight on human rights abuses in Egypt and question our military assistance. US partnerships must be based both on shared interests and shared values. I thank @SenatorCardin for his focus on human rights.”

Cardin (D-MD) 10/3/23: Chairman Cardin Statement on Foreign Military Financing to Egypt [“The United States and Egypt share strategic interests that are long-standing, starting with Egypt’s region-changing decision to be the first Arab nation to make peace with the State of Israel, to its critical efforts today to de-escalate tensions in the region in pursuit of a comprehensive peace. Egypt’s stability is in the U.S. national interest, and that interest is best served when the Egyptian government is taking sustainable, concrete, and meaningful steps to improve respect for the human rights of its citizens. Congress has been clear, through the law, that the government of Egypt’s record on a range of critical human rights issues, good governance, and the rule of law must improve if our bilateral relationship is to be sustained. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I believe it is imperative that we continue to hold the government of Egypt, and all governments, accountable for their human rights violations. I intend to exercise fully the Committee’s oversight responsibilities and my authorities to hold foreign military funds and the sale of arms to the government of Egypt, if it does not take concrete, meaningful, and sustainable steps to improve the human rights conditions in the country. Specifically, we must see progress on efforts to: reform and improve significantly its pre-trial detention practices, accelerate the pardon and release of political prisoners, which include thousands imprisoned for their speech and association, and provide space for human rights defenders, civil society advocates, political opposition, and independent media in Egypt. I have spoken with Secretary Blinken, and I look forward to working with the Biden administration on our shared goal of protecting and expanding human rights in Egypt. My hold on current funds will remain until specific human rights progress is made.”] Also see Cardin/SFRC X-post

Meeks (D-NY) 9/29/23: press release – Meeks Calls for Pause on U.S. Military Financing to Egypt (also see X-post)

Beyer (D-VA) 9/29/23: X-post – “Thank you @RepGregoryMeeks for making the right call here. I continue to urge the Biden Administration to revisit its decision and withhold the full amount of military assistance, given Egypt’s awful human rights abuses and recent revelations of covert activities on U.S. soil.” Linked to Meeks X-post

Jacobs (D-CA) 9/29/23: X-post – “Very glad to see this important step forward so we can conduct a full evaluation of the U.S.-Egypt relationship to ensure that we’re living up to our values.” Linked to Meeks X-post

Saudi Arabia

Connolly (D-VA) 10/3/23: X-post- “Five years ago, my constituent Jamal Khashoggi was murdered at the hands of the Saudi regime. We must honor him by ensuring that his death marks a turning point in Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the protection of Saudi dissidents around the world.” Linked to Connolly’s 10/2/23 op-ed in The Hill

Gallego (D-AZ) 10/2/23: X-post – “Saudi Arabia should never have been able to steal AZ’s water. I applaud Gov. Hobbs for terminating Fondomente’s lease, but we need to pass my Domestic Water Protection Act to ensure this never happens in our state again. That’s how we can forever keep AZ’s water for Arizonans.“

Kaine (D-NV) 10/2/23: X-post – “Five years ago today, journalist and Virginia resident Jamal Khashoggi was murdered at the hands of the Saudi government for exposing their human rights abuses. No matter how much time passes, I’ll keep fighting for justice for him and his loved ones.“

Cardin (D-MD) 10/2/23: X-post – “Today marks five years since Jamal Khashoggi’s horrific murder in a Saudi consulate. A brilliant journalist and advocate, we honor and remember Jamal best by seeking justice for him and his family, and demanding accountability for #HumanRights violators anywhere and everywhere.”

Schiff (D-CA) 10/2/23: X-post – “It has been 5 years since the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi with no accountability for Saudi Arabia or the Crown Prince. I’m introducing legislation to commemorate his legacy and protect journalists from being silenced for doing their job.”

Titus (D-NV) 10/2/23: X-post – “Five years ago today, the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered by the Saudi regime. As the struggle to protect and expand press freedom around the world continues, his life and legacy cannot be forgotten.”

Shaheen (D-NH) 10/2/23: X-post – “Five years ago, journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered by Saudi officials after his reporting shed light on human rights abuses committed by Saudi Arabia. We must hold Riyadh accountable for this brutal murder and all targeting of journalists.”

Gallego (D-AZ) 10/23: X-post – “Saudi Arabia should never have been able to steal AZ’s water. I applaud Gov. Hobbs for terminating Fondomente’s lease, but we need to pass my Domestic Water Protection Act to ensure this never happens in our state again. That’s how we can forever keep AZ’s water for Arizonans.”

Garcia (D-CA) 10/1/23: X-post – “I will continue to be focused on the family corruption of the Kushners. We won’t stop until we get answers about the $2 Billion Jared received from the Saudis. We are just getting started.”

Cramer (R-ND) 10/1/23: X-post – “Israel & Saudi Arabia may be close to normalizing relations – a move which would’ve been unthinkable before the Abraham Accords. Israel is one of the strongest democracies & our strongest friends in the Middle East. Republicans & Democrats should be united in standing with them.”

Bahrain

Ernst (R-IA) 10/3/23: X-post – “.@POTUS refuses to designate the Houthis as terrorists – giving them free rein to attack our #AbrhamAccords partner Bahrain. Biden’s ongoing appeasement of Iran & its proxies has enabled these senseless deaths & continues to jeopardize America’s security.”

Iran

McCaul (R-TX) 10/4/23: X-post – “CHM @RepMcCaul ‘I applaud the USG’s reported decision to send seized Iranian weapons & ammo to help Ukraine. It is good to see these weapons finally used for an honorable cause, as Vladimir Putin has long benefitted from the Iranian regime’s weapons.’“

Ernst (R-IA) 10/4/23: X-post – “I joined @ChadFWolf  and @Jhogangidley to discuss the #AbrahamAccords and my work to build upon this historic partnership to counter the ongoing threat of Iran.   Listen to my conversation with @A1Policy podcast.americafirstpolicy.com“

Rogers (R-AL) 10/4/23: X-post – “The Department of Defense just blew past the October 3rd deadline. We need answers on Ariane Tabatabai’s employment, her security clearance, and her relationship with the Iranian regime. The Iranian regime’s unfettered access to the Biden administration is unacceptable.” [referring to the deadline in his 10/26/23 letter, covering in last week’s Round-Up)

Tenney (R-NY) 10/4/23: X-post – “In two weeks, critical UN sanctions on Iran are set to expire. These sanctions restrict Iran’s ballistic missiles, drones, and its nuclear program. @RishiSunak @EmmanuelMacron and @Bundeskanzler must reverse course and use UNSCR 2231 to initiate snapback sanctions on Iran before it’s too late!“

Bacon (R-NE) 10/4/23: X-post – “Our government should not have paid $6B to Iran… it was ransom money. We exchanged prisoners, and then added the $6B. This money is used to fund the IRGC and terrorist. Paying ransom incentivizes more hostage taking.”

Bacon (R-NE) 10/4/23: X-post – “Iran’s regime is an enemy to its own people, committing human rights violations against those who dissent or don’t reflect its desired religious practices. The largest exporter of terror is also a threat to its neighbors and Israel.” Linked to X-post from UN Watch, “16-year-old Armita Geravand is now in a coma after being beaten by the morality police of the Islamic regime (which the New York Times said was disbanded). On November 2nd, the Islamic regime will be Chair of the U.N. Human Rights Council Social Forum. Why, @antonioguterres?“

Hinson (R-IA) 10/4/23: X-post – “Disturbed by reports that a senior employee at Biden’s Pentagon was implicated in an influence scheme with the Iranian government. @SenJoniErnst is getting answers for Iowans and demanding accountability!“

Ernst (R-IA) 10/4/23: X-post – “President Biden has allowed Iran loyalists to influence U.S. policy. His admin does not take the threat of Iran seriously. I’m demanding accountability and oversight.“

Ernst (R-IA) 10/3/23: X-post – “Biden’s White House was infiltrated by an Iranian influence operation – multiple times. The Biden administration fails to take the threat of Iran seriously. The American people deserve to know the truth behind these relationships.“ Linked to article, Member of Iranian Influence Network Visited Biden White House Five Times (Free Beacon 10/3/23)

Stefanik (R-NY) 10/2/23: X-post – “Make no mistake, Iran is advancing their long-range ballistic technology. To ensure our homeland is defended from this growing threat, we need to enhance our missile defense architecture. It is long past time to start constructing a missile defense site at Fort Drum, the DOD’s designated preferred East Coast site.” Linked to article, Iran says it launched Noor 3 satellite into orbit (Reuters9/27/23)

Hagerty (R-TN) 10/2/23: X-post – “The existence of the Zarif-masterminded Iran Expert Initiative raises new questions about the controversial backchannel engagements of former SECSTATE John Kerry, @RobMalley & their IEI associates during the Trump years like this.” Linked to article, John Kerry held backchannel talks with Iran, Javad Zarif (Washington Times 2/21/21)

Blackburn (R-TN) 10/2/23: press release – Blackburn To DoD: Senior Official’s Iranian Ties Are Dangerous [letter covered in last week’s Round-Up] also see X-post

Ernst (R-IA) 10/2/23: X-post – “The Biden admin claims it does “not have any reason to believe an Iranian influence operation infiltrated the U.S. government.” The facts say otherwise. This admin must stop covering up for Iran.“

Blackburn (R-TN) 9/30/23: X-post (with video clip) – “No individual affiliated with the Iranian regime should have access to sensitive information or influence over U.S. foreign policy.” Also see: floor statement in the Congressional Record