FMEP Legislative Round-Up April 11, 2025

Resource

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

1. Bills & Resolutions

**UPDATE**:  On 4/6/25 the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions announced that it was postponing the hearing/vote, scheduled for 4/9/25, on S. 558, the “Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025“ (introduced 2/13/25 by Scott, R-SC, and having 40 bipartisan cosponsors).

(PEACE THROUGH THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS!) H. Res. 320: Introduced 4/9/25 by Schneider (D-IL) and 3 bipartisan cosponsors, “Encouraging the Department of State and civil society to further the Abraham Accords by encouraging peace and tolerance in education.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(EXEMPT ISRAEL & UKRAINE FROM US TARIFFS) S. 1364: Introduced 4/9/25 by Cortez Masto (D-NV), “to exempt articles imported from Israel or Ukraine from duties imposed under the Executive Order entitled ‘Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits’.” Referred to the Committee on Finance. Also see: Cortez Masto press release – BREAKING: Republicans Block Cortez Masto’s Efforts to Exempt Our Allies Israel and Ukraine from Harmful Tariffs;

(TARGETING ACADEMIA) HR 2686 [bill text]: Introduced 4/7/25 by Malliotakis (R-NY), Stefanik (R-NY) and Tenney (R-NY), “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose penalties with respect to civil rights violations by certain tax-exempt educational institutions,” aka the “University Accountability Act“. This bill was introduced in the last Congress as HR 8914. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Also see: Malliotakis Reintroduces the University Accountability Act; Stefanik, Malliotakis Reintroduce Legislation to Impose Penalties on Antisemitic Universities; Bill would fine schools $100k or more for failing to protect religious students (Jewish News Syndicate 4/8/25)

(TARGETING ACADEMIA) S. 1317 [bill text]: Introduced 4/7/25 by Banks (R-IN) and having 3 Republican cosponsors, “A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require additional disclosures relating to gifts and contracts from foreign sources,” aka the “Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act.” Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Press release – Sen. Jim Banks Introduces Bill Requiring Universities to Disclose Gifts from Foreign Adversaries

(MIDEAST AMENDMENTS TO BUDGET RESOLUTION) This week the Senate took up H. Con. Res. 14, “Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.” Amendments offered on the resolution–listed below–include several related to Israel/Palestine and the Middle East. While none of these got voted on, they provide a useful guide to what some senators are pushing and what is likely to come up in other places.

  • (TARGETING THE ICC & UN) S. Amdt. 2221, offered by Cotton (R-AR): “(a) Point of Order.–It shall not be in order in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that provides funding for the International Criminal Court or the United Nations if any United Nations body has adopted a resolution to investigate Israel or any of employee of such a body participated in the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israel. (b) Waiver and Appeal.–Subsection (a) may be waived or suspended in the Senate only by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be required to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under subsection (a).“
  • (TARGETING US DEPT OF STATE EMPLOYEES) S. Amdt. 1925, offered by Hagerty (R-TN): “The Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may revise the allocations of a committee or committees, aggregates, and other appropriate levels in this resolution, and make adjustments to the pay-as-you-go ledger, for one or more bills, joint resolutions, amendments, amendments between the Houses, motions, or conference reports relating to preventing mishandling of classified information at the Department of State, which may include legislation that would deny security clearances to any United States diplomats who have previously expressed sympathy or support for or otherwise praised Hamas, Hezbollah, or other Iran-backed United States-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), or who were involved with the Iranian regime’s malign influence network known as the Iran Experts Initiative, by the amounts provided in such legislation for those purposes, provided that such legislation would not increase the deficit over the period of the total of fiscal years 2025 through 2034.”
  • (TARGETING GAZA ETHNIC CLEANSING) S. Amdt. 1672, offered by Welch (D-VT): “(a) Point of Order.–It shall not be in order in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would enable the use of the United States Armed Forces or United States Government personnel, or entities under the control of or supported by the United States Government, to undertake security operations in Gaza or for any activity or operations to assist in the displacement or removal of Palestinians from Gaza. (b) Waiver and Appeal.–Subsection (a) may be waived or suspended in the Senate only by an affirmative vote of three- fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be required to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under subsection (a).“
  • (TARGETING ETHNIC CLEANSING IN WEST BANK, GAZA, & EAST JERUSALEM) S. Amdt. 1677, offered by Welch (D-VT): “(a) Point of Order.–It shall not be in order in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that would authorize or appropriate funding to implement any activity, including negotiations or policy discussions, on the topic of removing Palestinians that are not citizens of the State of Israel from Gaza, the West Bank, or other geographic areas which came under the administration of the Government of Israel after June 5, 1967, given that– (1) seizing of enemy property and pillage is a war crime under section 2441 of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the “War Crimes Act”); and (2) activities by United States officials or officers to facilitate acts of pillage or seizing of enemy property would engender liability risks under the War Crimes Act. (b) Waiver and Appeal.–Subsection (a) may be waived or suspended in the Senate only by an affirmative vote of three- fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be required to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under subsection (a).“

2. Letters

3. Hearings

April 9, 2025: The House Homeland Security Committee held a markup entitled, “Countering Threats of Terrorism and from the CCP (video).” Bills marked up/passed include HR 1327, the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act,” introduced by Luttrell (R-TX). From the hearing announcement: “In February, Representative Luttrell introduced the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act,” legislation enhancing DHS counterterrorism efforts by requiring an evaluation of the threat posed to the United States by individuals in Syria with ties to Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) or a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization (STGT). Cosponsors of the legislation include Chairman Pfluger and Rep. Ogles.”

April 9, 2025: The House Foreign Affairs Committee’s held a markup to consider (and pass) a number of measures, including two related to Iran — HR 2619, “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,”; and  HR 1422, “To impose sanctions with respect to persons engaged in logistical transactions and sanctions evasion relating to oil, gas, liquefied natural gas, and related petrochemical products from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and for other purposes,” aka the “Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025.” Also see press releases – Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Passes Iran Sanctions Bill in U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee; Chairman Lawler Celebrates Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act Passing House Foreign Affairs Committee; Baumgartner, Moskowitz bipartisan bill to Sanction Hostage-Takers clears Foreign Affairs Committee

May 7, 2025: The House Un-American Activities Committee — sorry, the House Education and Workforce Committee — will hold yet another kangaroo-court-style show trial  in which it will summon another group of unlucky university presidents (who based on past experience may not be long for their jobs following the event) for what–based on the experience in this committee in the last Congress–will be the modern day equivalent of putting them in stocks and gathering Committee members to publicly pillory them. All this, ostensibly in the name of combating antisemitism in higher education [for folks who want to get a sense of what these hearing are actually about, definitely take a look at some of the previous hearings in the vein from last session]. The event is entitled, “Beyond the Ivy League: Stopping the Spread of Antisemitism on American Campuses,” and the victims this time around are the presidents of California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo), Haverford College, and DePaul University. Also see:

  • Hearing announcement, including: “’For the past few years, our Committee has played a critical role in both uncovering the rampant antisemitism on college campuses and holding administrators accountable,’ said Chairman Walberg. ‘This hearing is a continuation of this work so that we can ensure Jewish students across the nation don’t face threats or harassment in violation of Title VI. Numerous legislative options are under consideration to make certain that schools across the country are ensuring a safe learning environment for all students in compliance with federal law.’”
  • House Education Committee to hold another antisemitism hearing with college presidents (Jewish Insider 4/10/25)

[POSTPONED – NO NEW DATE YET] April 9, 2025: The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee was scheduled to hold an “Executive Session” to consider (and for sure pass) three bills, including S. 558, Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025, and S. 163, Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025.  The hearing was postponed with no reasons given and no new date announced as of this writing.  Also see:  Senate committee postpones vote on Antisemitism Awareness Act (Jewish Insider 4/9/25)

As a reminder,

  • S. 558 seeks to codify into law, and enforce, the IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its “contemporary examples” that explicitly conflate criticism of Israel, Israeli policies/actions, and Zionism with antisemitism [with the targeting of such criticism the clear objective of the legislation].
  • S. 163 seeks to encourage and make it easier for students to file complaints regarding alleged antisemitism on campus — an initiative that, when coupled with S. 558, would quite literally encourage, enable, and arguably require the wholesale suppression and punishment of virtually all free speech/protest on campus related to Israel or Zionism.

4. Selected Members on the Record

NOTE: Pretty much every Senate Republican, and some House members, posted on social media to celebrate Mike Huckabee’s confirmation as the new US ambassador to [Greater] Israel. Check members’ social media accounts to see for yourself.

Bibi’s Latest Visit to DC

  • Stefanik (R-NY) 4/8/25: X-post- “Under President Trump the U.S. will always stand strong with our precious ally Israel.”
  • Graham (R-SC) 4/8/25: X-post – “Any diplomatic solution regarding Iran’s nuclear program must recognize Iran’s decades of cheating, the regime’s barbaric nature and its open commitment to destroying the state of Israel.   I also completely agree with Prime Minister Netanyahu that it must include the total dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and include not only U.S. but worldwide supervision. I fear anything less could be a catastrophic mistake.“
  • Salazar (R-FL) 4/8/25: X-post – “Welcome, @netanyahu! As America’s closest ally in the Middle East, it’s an honor to have you here. The U.S. stands firmly and unwaveringly with Israel and the Jewish people.“
  • Gimenez (R-FL) 4/8/25: X-post – “I FULLY SUPPORT the democratic, Jewish State of Israel & its right to defend itself from barbaric Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Trump is the most Pro-Israel President we’ve ever had & I look forward to continuing working together to guarantee Israel’s security. AM YISRAEL CHAI!“
  • McClain (R-MI) 4/7/25: X-post – “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL ALWAYS STAND WITH OUR ALLY ISRAEL” [with pix of Netanyahu’s visit with Trump]
  • Van Hollen (D-MD) 4/7/25: X-post – “Today Trump and Netanyahu talked about their plan to have Palestinians ‘voluntarily’ leave Gaza.   Let’s be clear: nothing about this is voluntary — it would mean the coerced deportation of 2 million people from Gaza and U.S. taxpayers should have NOTHING to do with it.“
  • Balint (D-VT) 4/7/25: X-post – “This is just vile. What he’s describing is ethnic cleansing. Trump truly thinks everything is for sale and sees everything in terms of real estate investments. No morality. He was always going to grab Gaza.” Responding to Trump – “Trump: If you take the Palestinians, and move them around to different countries and you have plenty of countries that will do that, and you have a freedom zone… I don’t understand why Israel ever gave it up. Israel owned it. They took ocean front property”

Targeting Free Speech / Protest / Academia

  • Stefanik (R-NY) 4/9/25: X-post- “President @realDonaldTrump continues to deliver on his promise to hold these failed higher ed institutions accountable for allowing violent antisemitic mobs to terrorize Jewish students on campus. This is only the beginning of the consequences institutions like @Cornell and @NorthwesternU will face if they are not willing to put an end to vile antisemitism on their campuses.”
  • Stefanik (R-NY) 4/8/25: X-post – “THIS is what Americans voted for in November 2024. ACCOUNTABILITY for institutions like @BrownUniversity that continue to support vile antisemitism has arrived. I look forward to leading the charge in Congress to support President Trump’s historic efforts to defund these leftist institutions.”
  • Stefanik (R-NY) 4/8/25: X-post – “Thank you to the @WashU students on Capitol Hill today advocating against the scourge of antisemitism at colleges and universities. Appreciate your leadership and bravery through these extremely challenging times as higher education has failed. We are working to hold these schools accountable for their fundamental lack of moral leadership and failure to protect Jewish students on campus.”
  • office of Hunt (R-TX) 4/8/25: X-post – “Anti-Israel protestors once again caused chaos and shut down Grand Central Terminal in New York. This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the White House.“
  • Stefanik (R-NY) 4/7/25: X-post – “Stefanik, Malliotakis Reintroduce Legislation to Impose Penalties on Antisemitic Universities – ‘I will continue to lead efforts to rid our colleges and universities of antisemitism alongside President Trump who is delivering on his promise to hold these failed institutions accountable for their neglect and abandonment of our Jewish students. The University Accountability Act will impose penalties on universities who violate the civil rights of their own students and put their undeserved tax-exempt status on the chopping block.’” 

Challenging Israeli Policies & Actions (incl killing Amcit child in West Bank)

  • Welch (D-VT) 4/8/25: X-post – “Reports of IDF soldiers firing on Red Crescent ambulances, shooting first responders, and beating those unjustly detained are shocking for both their brutality and frequency. There must be accountability. We must apply the Leahy Law and end offensive weapon sales to Israel.”
  • Sanders (I-VT) 4/8/25: X-post – “50,000 people in Gaza are dead. 114,000 wounded. Two-thirds of the casualties are women, children, or elderly people. The entire infrastructure has been destroyed. Much of that devastation has been done with U.S. bombs supplied to Netanyahu’s war machine. We are complicit.“
  • Welch (D-VT) 4/8/25: X-post – “No, Mr. President. Gaza isn’t ‘an incredible piece of real estate.’ The U.S. shouldn’t have troops ‘controlling and owning the Gaza Strip.’ We can’t take Palestinians and ‘move them around to different countries.’ We should be working to find a peaceful solution.”
  • Omar (D-MN) 4/8/25: X-post – “It is morally indefensible that our country continues to bankroll ethnic cleansing. Shame.”
  • Pou (D-NJ) 4/7/25: Congresswoman Pou Seeks Information on Death of American Citizen Teenager in West Bank
  • Sherrill (D-NJ) 4/8/25: Sherrill Statement on the Death of Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee
  • Sanders (I-VT) 4/7/25: X-post – “Republicans and some Democrats argue that criticizing Netanyahu‘s barbaric war against the Palestinian people in Gaza is ‘antisemitic.’ At a recent hearing I raised that issue with 5 witnesses, 3 of whom were chosen by the Republican chairman. Listen to their responses.“
  • Kim (D-NJ) 4/7/25: Senator Andy Kim’s Statement on the News of Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee
  • Booker (D-NJ) 4/7/25: Booker Statement on Fatal Shooting of New Jersey Teen in the West Bank
  • Watson Coleman (D-NJ) 4/7/35: X-post – “This is an atrocity. Amer was 14-years-old. He was an American citizen, from Saddle Brook, NJ. How can the Israeli military possibly justify shooting and killing an American teenager in cold blood? The US must step in and stop this madness.“
  • Garcia (D-IL) 4/7/25: X-post – “Amer Mohammad Sa’adeh Rabee, a 14-year old American citizen, was shot by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. Reports say he was denied medical aid and left to die. This atrocity must be condemned and investigated. We cannot turn a blind eye.“
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 4/5/25: X-post – “I agree with @SenSanders: the United States is complicit in Israel’s violent and destructive war on Gaza, and I’m incredibly disappointed Congress didn’t pass our measure to block offensive weapons sales to the Israeli government.”
  • Pressley (D-MA) 4/4/25: X-post – “Limp bodies of babies and toddlers. The shrieks of fathers frantically holding their dead children. The suffering in Gaza is unconscionable, and the US is complicit. We must return to the January ceasefire agreement, halt all offensive weapons to the Israeli military, and use every diplomatic tool to save lives.“

Trump’s Nominee for New Antisemitism Envoy

  • Nadler (D-NY) 4/10/25: Long X-post – excerpt – “I urge my Democratic Senate colleagues not to provide the Trump Administration with a single vote to confirm Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism with the rank of Ambassador. The irony is not lost on me that the Trump Administration— that already contains antisemites in its ranks— is seeking to add a divisive figure like Rabbi Kaploun as its antisemitism czar…“
  • Diaz-Balart (R-FL) 4/10/25: X-post – “Congratulations to Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun!   Rabbi Kaploun’s legacy of leadership and service has uplifted countless individuals in the Jewish community. His wise counsel is frequently sought out by prominent business and political leaders across both the United States and Israel, including President Trump.   At a time when rising antisemitism and attempts to malign and delegitimize Israel are spreading across our country – from college campuses and businesses and even here within the House – such leadership is more essential than ever.   Rabbi Kaploun will be a steadfast voice in defending the Jewish community, confronting antisemitism head-on, and holding accountable those who spread hatred and bigotry. It is a true honor and privilege to be his friend.“

Iran

Morocco

  • Wilson (R-SC) 4/11/25: X-post – “I agree with @SecRubio genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution for the Sahara. I will introduce legislation to designate the Polisario as terrorists. Iran & Putin gaining a foothold in Africa via Polisario. Connect the dots: axis of aggression.“
  • Wagner (R-MO) 4/9/25: Wagner, Schneider Host Morocco’s Foreign Minister for Congressional Roundtable on Regional Peace and Integration

Other stuff

  • Welch (D-VT) 4/9/25: X-post- “When judges are threatened with impeachment for their decisions… When politicians talk about defying court orders… When law firms are punished for who their clients are… When students are detained for expressing their opinions… We’re in a constitutional crisis.”
  • Torres (D-NY) 4/9/25: X-post – “There is no universe in which I would ever grant an audience to an extremist like Ben Gvir or any organization like yours that embraces his extremism. If you had done your homework, you would known that I have nothing but contempt for Gvir.”
  • Diaz-Balart (R-FL) 4/8/25: Congressional Latino-Jewish Caucus Meets with Former Hostages and Families of Those Still in Captivity
  • Davis (D-NC) 4/8/25: X-post – “Effective leadership starts with listening! Our meeting with @aipac Political Student Leadership Summit students to discuss essential legislation strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship was insightful. We must bring an end to antisemitism and support Holocaust education“

5. Selected Media

Punishing Senators Who Voted Against More Weapons for Israel

She’s Baaaaaaaaaacccccckkkk

Huckabee Confirmation

Randy Fine, on-brand

Other Stuff