FMEP Legislative Round-Up August 7, 2026

Resource

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

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast:

1. Bills & Resolutions

(PLACES OF WORSHIP BUFFER ZONES) HR 10052 // S. 5289 [bill text]: Introduced 8/7/26 in the House by Knott (R-NC) and 3 bipartisan cosponsors, and in the Senate by Cruz (R-TX) and Slotkin (D-MI), “To protect the right to the free exercise of religion,” aka the “Right to Worship Act.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on the Judiciary.

  • NOTE: This legislation is ostensibly intended to prevent the disruption of and/or attendance at religious services at houses of worship [hence the name: Right to Worship Act]. HOWEVER, it should be kept in mind that there have been protests/disruptions targeting houses of worship for many years [in particular anti-LGBTQ+ protests], without Congress taking action. What’s driving action today is something totally different, and that has nothing to do with the right to worship. A key driver (arguably THEY key driver) of this legislation is the goal of preventing protest of events held at houses of worship that have nothing to do with religious services — i.e., protesting real estate fairs held at U.S. synagogues, at which real estate in Israeli settlements is being marketed. The press release from the ADL – a key proponent of this legislation – touting the bills makes this crystal clear: it cites as evidence for why the legislation is needed, protests of two Israel real estate events held at synagogues; one on a Tuesday night, the other on a Monday night — neither on Shabbat nor in any way in conjunction with religious worship — unless one had decided to officially pervert the definition of Jewish religious worship to include the marketing/purchase of real estate in Israel and/or settlements. With this in mind, the bill’s definition of what qualifies as a “religious service” is key. That definition reads: “The term ‘religious service’ includes any collective worship or prayer service, class, or other event [emphasis added], at which individuals congregate to worship, study, or otherwise exercise, their religion [emphasis added].” Should this bill pass into law, the question will be: will U.S. law enforcement adopt the conflation of support for Israel/Zionism with Jewish religious practice, and therefore treat Israeli real estate fairs – at which land in West Bank settlements is being marketed/sold –  as “religious services” at which protest will be criminalized?
  • Learn more about these real estate fairs: Trafficking in Israel’s War Crimes in a Midtown Manhattan Synagogue (Lawfare 8/6/26) – excerpt: “Inevitably, pro-Palestinian activists have protested outside the synagogues hosting these events. In response, pro-Israel advocates and lobbying organizations—such as the Anti-Defamation League—have branded these demonstrations as inherently antisemitic attempts to intimidate Jewish worshippers and stifle the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. In public statements and demands for law enforcement intervention, these groups routinely conflate the physical venue (a house of worship) with the commercial activity occurring inside it, arguing that any protest on synagogue grounds is a prima facie violation of religious freedom and civil rights. These criticisms fail on multiple legal fronts. To begin with, the First Amendment applies to state action, not to the conduct of private, non-state demonstrators exercising their own First Amendment rights. Furthermore, not all activities occurring inside a house of worship constitute a protected exercise of religious freedom. A “church” that promotes a distinct criminal enterprise receives no constitutional shield because the underlying act is a crime—just as the commercial appropriation of occupied territory is a crime. The criticism that demonstrators exhibit their inherent antisemitism by holding their demonstrations at synagogues, thus blaming all Jews for Israeli policy, also falls flat. Quite obviously, the demonstrations are at synagogues because that’s where the illegal land promotions are being held. If anyone is equating Israeli policies with Judaism, it is the organizers of these events. Finally, while the broader pro-Palestinian movement is certainly not immune to antisemitism, one need not be antisemitic to oppose these events. The prominent presence of Jewish activists among the demonstrators, alongside formal opposition from organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and IfNotNow attests to a simpler truth: These protests are explicitly framed around international and domestic law, not religious identity. When a coalition of local residents and Jewish activists gathers to protest, their public mandates, signs, and legal briefs focus squarely on violations of the Geneva Conventions and domestic anti-discrimination laws. One need not even be pro-Palestinian to object to these fairs; one need only be anti-war crime.”

Also see:

(SANCTIONS ON LEBANON) S.5356: Introduced 8/6/26 by Shaheen (D-NG) and Lankford (R-OK), “A bill to support Lebanon’s rule of law and democratic institutions through sanctions and support, and for other purposes.“ Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. NOTE: As of this writing (8/7/26, 11am EDT) no text is available, nor are there any press releases from the sponsor/cosponsor.

(IRAN WAR POWERS) S. J. Res. 211: Introduced 8/6/26 by Hickenlooper (D-CO) and 10 cosponsors (all Democrats), “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.“ Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: press release – Hickenlooper Introduces War Powers Resolution to End Iran War

(TELL THE TRUTH ABOOUT IRAN WAR CASUALTIES) S. 5300 [bill text]: Introduced 8/6/26 by Duckworth (D-IL) and 17 cosponsors (all Democrats), “A bill to ensure the transparency and integrity of casualty accounting and benefits and awards for military and civilian personnel during military operations, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the Committee on Armed Services. Also see Duckworth press release – Duckworth Leads Colleagues in Push to Stop Trump from Hiding the True Cost of the Iran War and Dishonoring the Sacrifices of Our Heroes

(LEGALLY REQUIRE & ENFORCE MASSIVE EXPANSION OF US INTELL SHARING & COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL) S. 4615: Introduced 5/20/26 by Cotton (R-AR, the “Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027.” On 8/5/26, Cotton filed a written report on the bill (Report Number 119-133), and additional and Minority views were also filed. NOTE: the written report has not yet been published online – it should eventually show up here.  As a reminder: The bill includes an expansive new provision — Section 622 —  entitled “United States-Israel intelligence sharing enhancement.” Maybe you think this is the best idea ever! Maybe you think it is a terrible idea. Regardless, it is a HUGE deal and arguably should be understood/discussed/debated rather than just quietly slipping into law unnoticed. For details see the June 5, 2026 edition of the Round-Up.

Reporting/posts on key Israel-related provisions in House & Senate FY27 NDAA (and also Senate FY27 Intelligence Authorization bill):

2. Letters & Reports

3. Hearings & Markups

August 5, 2026: The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights held a kangaroo court-style hearing targeting US Muslim groups (especially CAIR, and including — no joke — Emgage), the DSA, and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed) entitled, Hidden in Plain Sight: Confronting the Muslim Brotherhood Network in America [VIDEO]. Witnesses for the prosecution were: Lara Burns, Retired FBI Special Agent/GWU Program on Extremism (statement -including on pages 41-42 detailed recommendations for law/policy changes in support of criminal prosecution of targeted orgs); Arielle F. Klepach, National Jewish Advocacy Center (statement); and Kyle Shideler, Center for Security Policy (statement & appendices) [note that CSP is designated by the SPLC as an extremist organization]. Democrats on the Subcommittee boycotted the hearing. Democrats boycotted the farce-of-a-hearing, so there was not witness who was not 100% aligned with the views of committee Republicans. Also see:

4. Selected Members on the Record

Israel/AIPAC in US Elex & politics

  • Tenney (R-NY) 8/7/26: X-post – “The Iranian regime is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. My 2026 Israel and Iran Plan outlines a commonsense strategy to confront Iran, support Israel, and prevent a nuclear-armed Iran from threatening America and our allies.” Her plan – excerpt: “I am also committed to standing with our ally Israel and ensuring the United States supports Israel as it advances American national security interests by dismantling Iran’s terrorist proxies and partners. This means providing Israel with the resources necessary to prevail, defending it against international campaigns intended to delegitimize it, and preserving its fundamental right to defend itself. I have also been a leading voice in Congress in support of Israel’s rightful historical claims to Judea and Samaria and in promoting religious freedom for all upon the Temple Mount…“
  • Moulton (D-MA) 8/6/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Israel has committed war crimes. Don’t lecture me on what a war crime is, @EdMarkey, when you voted to send me to Iraq to see the horrors of war for myself.”
  • Mace (R-SC) 8/5/26: X-post – “Can we stop electing terrorists into office in America?”
  • Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) 8/5/26: X-post – “I appreciate AIPAC proving it doesn’t belong in the Dem Party and especially our primaries. From endorsing Jan 6th members to ensuring Congress remains in the hands of a 34-count felon, AIPAC is an org committed to undermining democracy at home and abroad. See you in November.” AIPAC responded with an X-essay: “Congresswoman: Trying to score political points by demonizing pro-Israel Americans – including millions of Democrats who are AIPAC members – is outrageous, transparent, and pathetic. Your obsession with singling out our members and their rights to participate in the political process undermines democracy. Yes, AIPAC members have serious policy and political disagreements with you. Our members fight to help elect leaders who share their values – including scores of Democrats and members of the Progressive Caucus; while you fight for the Democratic Party tent to be big enough to include those who say America deserved 9/11, but small enough to exclude those who want America to stand with our democratic ally. AIPAC members advocate for strengthening a U.S.-Israel relationship that makes Americans safer, stronger, and more prosperous; while you advocate to weaken America and an alliance that advances our interests. AIPAC members back elected leaders who support a partnership that helps protect our troops and homeland, creates American jobs, and provides us with innovations that improve Americans’ healthcare and access to cleaner water and safer food; while you want to break off the bilateral programs that benefit America and individual citizens in every state and district – including your own. AIPAC members support elected leaders who promote an alliance built on shared values of democracy, women’s rights, free speech, equality, and opportunity for all its citizens no matter their faith, race, or background; while you want America to distance itself from the only stable and diverse democracy in a region where most will never have the chance to cast a vote. AIPAC members support elected leaders who stand with a partner who is painfully confronting terrorists who pride themselves on killing as many Israelis – and Americans – as possible; while you want to prevent our military from working together with an ally that can help keep us safe in an increasingly dangerous and ever-changing world. AIPAC members support elected leaders who work together with Israel to bring peace and coexistence to a region that has known far too much war and death; while you want to spread dangerous lies about Israel and isolate it from the world. AIPAC members are proud Americans who will continue to fully participate in our democracy, whether you like it or not.
“
  • Bacon (R-NE) 8/4/26: X-post – “AIPAC consists of Americans who want a strong U.S. and Israel partnership. I support that. No apologies.”
  • Moulton (D-MA) 8/3/26: X-post – “I’ve consistently demanded strategy and accountability instead of handing out blank checks with taxpayer dollars because we’ve seen Israel commit war crimes in Gaza. I voted YES on the Massie Amendment (H.R. 8595) to cut $3.3 billion in unconditioned Foreign Military Financing. And I voted NO on Standalone Israel Aid (H.R. 7217), opposing blank-check aid packages that lacked strategy or Gaza humanitarian support.”
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 8/3/26: X-post – “This Michigan Imam and big El-Sayed backer: Pro- [check] Hamas [check] Hezbollah [check] Iran This explains why they were both ‘sad’ after we incinerated Khamenei.” With screenshot of Washington Free Beacon headline: Extremist Michigan Imam Who Hosted El-Sayed Urges Followers To Turn Out To Vote and ‘Deal the Zionist a Blow,’ Frames Primary as Epic Fight Against ‘Puppet’ of Israel
  • Scott (R-FL) 8/3/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Tonight, @CNN let Hasan piker and others spew bile under the guise of “journalism.” Piker actually said he would vote for Hamas over Israel. I’m not surprised that a man who says I should be killed would say that. BUT I am surprised CNN would give this garbage a platform.”
  • Goldman (D-NY) 7/31/26: X-post – “Comments about a candidate’s accent, gender, appearance or intelligence are personal. Comments about a candidate’s political statements or views are not personal. Enough with the whataboutism and false equivalencies.” Goldman was responding to Mehdi Hassan‘s 7/31/26 post: “So to be clear: Abdul El-Sayed put out a tweet asking his followers not to be personally abusive or insulting about Haley Stevens. Stevens put out a tweet personally attacking El-Sayed for being a person who blames his defeats on Jewish Americans. Just a disgusting slander.” Hassan was responding to Stevens (D-MI) 7/30/26 post: “Abdul, we were both on the ballot in 2018. I was capable of winning my competitive primary and general election. You lost.. You lost by over twenty points to Gretchen Whitmer and you will lose to Mike Rogers by talking like this. Everyone in America understands you want to blame all of your problems on Jewish Americans. But buddy, let me be very clear, I will lower the costs of groceries, ban stock trading for elected officials, stop Trump’s abuses of power, and protect Michigan manufacturing. And you’ll just be a celebrity whining and writing books to get even richer. You’re part of the complainer class, looking for their next book or podcast deal. Bro, I just want to work for Michigan.” Stevens was responding to a 7/30/26 post (w/ video clip: “Abdul El-Sayed to AIPAC: ‘Come for me! You picked [Haley Stevens] the least capable candidate in America. If you think you can beat money out of politics, money in your pocket, medicare for all, come. I’ll tell you what people dont want: money in a foreign govt’”.

Concern for Palestinians

  • Ramirez (D-IL) 8/6/26: X-post – “From Texas to Israel, imprisoning children is morally bankrupt. Our children do NOT belong in cages. Adam Wajeh Abdelfattah Karakrah, a 16-year-old with family in Chicago, remains detained in an Israeli prison notorious for abuse. The Trump administration must demand that both Adam and Sama Safi are safety returned to their families.”
  • Van Hollen (D-MD) 8/6/26: X-post – “Enough is enough. This time an 82-year-old American man has been left bloodied & injured by the IDF. And another attempt to hide evidence. This has to end. If @USAmbIsrael can’t protect American citizens from this kind of violence, he needs to resign.” Responding to post with video clip from Zeteo journalist Prem Thakker: “NEW: An 82-year-old American has been left bleeding from his head after Israeli soldiers flashbanged him in the village of Turmusayya, in the West Bank. Soldiers then confiscated bystander phones & deleted footage of the incident. Trump just welcomed Netanyahu for the 8th time.” Note: If you try to view Thakker’s post – which includes a video of an elderly Palestinian-American man lying on the ground with his head bleeding (not especially graphic) as Israeli soldiers mill around him with nobody offering treatment, without being logged in as an adult on X, it is blocked, and you get the following message: “Age-restricted adult content. This content might not be appropriate for people under 18 years old. To view this media, you’ll need to log in to X.” This is an example of selective censorship of posts on X that show Israel in an unfavorable light.
  • Foushee (D-NC) 8/5/26: X-post – “I am deeply concerned about the rising violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. These actions are claiming the lives of innocent civilians and undermine prospects for a Palestinian state. As a cosponsor of the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, I continue to call on the United States to cease arms sales to Israel and take steps to properly defend the human rights of Palestinians.”
  • Khanna (D-CA) 8/4/26: X-post w/ video clip – “In the occupied West Bank, 14 year-old Aws al-Nasaan was killed in a school shooting. Then, the Israeli army fired tear gas at students. His principal told me the police never even talked to anyone at the school. They have no reason to believe the killer was brought to justice.”
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 8/4/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Dr. Tanya Shah worked at Nasser Hospital in Gaza, and now she’s telling the stories of the horrors she witnessed. We must continue to raise the alarm about the horrors happening to the people of Gaza and put an end to this destruction.”
  • Doggett (D-TX) 8/3/26: X-post – “Another misleading claim to distract from his failures in the foolish Iranian war— just the latest broken promise of relief for Palestinians. Trump’s phony Board of Peace deal was rejected by Israel’s National Security Minister as “not acceptable” while insisting that “targeted killings in Gaza must continue.”
  • Green (D-TX) 8/1/26: ICYMI: The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “Israeli lawyer advocates killing Palestinians to BBC week after Gilad Farm deadly shooting.” [Also see: X-post]
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 7/31/26: X-post – “NEW POD: I was joined by Dr. Tanya Shah, one of my constituents who chose to work in a hospital in Gaza and bore witness to the genocide. She is the truest example of using the power you have to make change. This is an important conversation – watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts!” With link to YouTube video
  • DeLauro (D-CT) 7/31/26: X-thread – “The Trump administration’s announcement that Hamas would disarm in exchange for an eventual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza is an encouraging step in the peace process. However, more needs to be done for the 20-point plan to move forward – let this be the end of excuses. Hamas and the Israeli government must allow humanitarian aid to enter all parts of the territory it controls. The people of Gaza are still in desperate need of food, medicine, and shelter supplies. Israel must also cease its attacks in Gaza that are in violation of the ceasefire. As I have said, addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza must be the first priority of all parties before any meaningful progress can be made toward peace.” With link to Washington Post article: Trump claims breakthrough on Hamas disarmament, Gaza transition”

Targeting Palestinians // UN // ICC

  • Cruz (R-TX) 8/3/26: X-post – “American taxpayer dollars should never pay for the salaries of Hamas terrorists, but the United Nations systematically blocks American oversight meant to prevent that. In April, I raised the U.N.’s failure to cooperate with the USAID inspector general with Ambassador Waltz. He agreed with these deep concerns. It’s long past time to hold the U.N. accountable and limit their funding.”

Celebrating Trump Admin’s Gaza Policy, Etc.

  • Scott (R-SC) 7/31/26: X-post – “The agreement by Hamas to disarm in Gaza is a meaningful step forward for establishing stability in the region. Grateful for President Trump’s leadership, the hard work of his team, and the Board of Peace in securing this breakthrough to make sure the tragedy of October 7th never happens again.”

Morocco/Spain/Ceuta

[SOME CONTEXT: How the Ceuta migration crisis became fodder for anti-Israel conspiracy theorists (The Forward 8/3/26) v. Israel’s Ceuta mistake could cost it a pro-Israel Spanish government in 2027 (Jewish News Syndicate 8/3/26)]

  • Massie (R-KY) 8/2/26: X-post – “2 weeks before migrants from Morocco invaded Ceuta, the GOP passed a bill with $40 million for Morocco and a committee report advising: Spanish-administered cities of Ceuta and Melilla are located in Moroccan territory and remain the subject of Morocco’s longstanding claim.”
  • Massie (R-KY) 8/1/26: X-post – “Don’t fall for the fake Fox/GOP outrage. Two weeks ago the House passed a bill that greenlighted the transfer of Spanish territory to Morocco. Every Republican except me voted for it, but now THEY are acting shocked at the invasion.” Linked to text of HR 8595 (FY27 NSPR Approps bill) and text of HR 9495 (text of FY 27 Defense Approps bill), and with screenshot from report accompanying HR 8595 (pertaining directly to Ceuta) and of the 7/15/26 vote on HR 8595.
  • Mace (R-SC) 7/31/26: X-post – “In the past 24 hours, around 60,000 Muslim ‘migrants’ from Morocco have INVADED Spain. Do not let the media fool you. These are criminals and their culture is incompatible with Western civilization. These are all military-age men breaking into homes, looting businesses, setting vehicles on fire, and clashing with police. This is only the start. If we do not drop the mindset of being too afraid of being called Islamophobic or racist, this will happen everywhere.”
  • Luna (R-FL) 7/31/26: X-post – “.@SecRubio needs to immediately put pauses on all visas from Morocco if their country cannot STOP the invasion of Spain. Why reward the bad behavior?”

Other

  • Markey (D-MA) 8/6/26: Ranking Member Markey Releases New Data Underscoring the Rising Cost of Trump’s Iran War for Americans at the Pump as Big Oil and Gas Profit

5. Selected Media

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

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Colorado

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Hawaii

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Kansas

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Massachusetts

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Missouri

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Hampshire

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New York

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – South Carolina

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Washington State

Saudi Arabia Nuclear Deal

  • AIPAC Memo 8/3/26: Reviewing Saudi Nuclear Cooperation [“…U.S. law requires that any nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia be presented to Congress for review before going into effect. Congress must carefully review the agreement to ensure it forecloses any potential Saudi pathway to nuclear weapons. Any agreement that fails to expressly prohibit domestic uranium enrichment in the Kingdom would raise serious concerns. Congress must also continue to press Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel and enter the Abraham Accords.“]

Other Stuff