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

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts Podcasts:

• 1/23/26: Destroying systems that sustain life: Israel’s destruction of healthcare in Palestine, ft. FMEP fellow Ahmed Moor in conversation with Liz Allcock, the former head of humanitarian protection at Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), an organization that has worked in Gaza, the West Bank, and elsewhere for decades.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(TO DENATURALIZE PEOPLE WHO STAND WITH PALESTINIAN LIVES/RIGHTS) HR 7156 [bill text]: Introduced 1/20/26 by Emmer (R-MN) and 42 Republican cosponsors, the “Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation (SCAM) Act,” aka,  “To expand and clarify the grounds for civil denaturalization proceedings for individuals who have defrauded a governmental program, joined a terrorist organization, or committed certain criminal offenses.”  Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. NOTE: On 1/19/25, Sen. Schmidt (R-MO) issued a press release announcing the introduction of the same bill in the Senate (it has not actually been introduced yet – stay tuned).

• Most of the media coverage around this bill (you can google it yourself) frames this as a bill focused on alleged fraud by Somali immigrants in Minnesota — when in fact the focus is much wider. This legislation would amend existing law to establish additional grounds for denaturalization, linked to alleged connections to a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), fraud, or the commission of aggravated felonies or acts of espionage [presented in that in order in the bill].
• IMPORTANT: Some media coverage [Ex: Fox News, Fox News] of the bill mistakenly (or misleadingly) suggests that all of the expanded denaturalization criteria are triggered by people being “convicted” of or admitting to the stipulated offenses. In fact, this trigger exist ONLY with respect to the expanded criteria related to fraud, aggravated felonies, and espionage. Under this bill, denaturalization based on alleged connections to an FTO would be mandatory if the U.S. government merely alleges — or as Emmer says in his press release, “finds“, that a person, during the 10 years after naturalization “associates with, conspires with, aids, or abets any foreign terrorist organization (as designated under section 219(a)).” The bill omits any mention of who would make this finding and how it would be made, but states that it will be considered “prima facie and sufficient evidence” that a person’s naturalization “was obtained by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation” — suggesting that a naturalized citizen targeted with this new deportation power would, from start to finish (finish being the moment they are stripped of their citizenship and deported) be denied any legal recourse and even the thinnest pretense of due process.
• REMINDER: As a matter of policy, the Trump Administration — along with many in Congress, and some in the Biden Administration (backed by organizations like the ADL) — have defined/alleged that speech and protest for Palestinian lives and rights signals or equals support for or  Hamas. 
• Media: Emmer to introduce new bill to strip citizenship from fraudsters and terrorists: ‘You’re going home‘ (Fox News 1/16/26); Senate bill would trigger denaturalization for ties to foreign terrorist groups (Jewish News Syndicate 1/20/26)

(MORE US MILITARY AID/COOPERATION FOR ISRAEL!) HR 7178 [bill text]: Introduced 1/21/26 by Gottheimer (D-NJ) and 12 bipartisan cosponsors, the “U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act,” aka,  “To amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, to make improvements relating to cooperation between the United States and Israel to counter unmanned systems across warfighting domains, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: Gottheimer press release: Gottheimer Reintroduces Bipartisan U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act to Counter Iranian Drones — Expanding Bill to Counter Unmanned Threats Across Air, Sea, and Land; Gottheimer, Garbarino reintroduce bill to expand U.S.-Israel cooperation against Iranian drones (WRNJ 1/21/26); Bipartisan House bill would boost US-Israel cooperation against Iranian drones (Jewish News Syndicate 1/22/26)

(STANDING WITH IRANIAN PROTESTERS) H. Res. 1008: Introduced 1/16/26 by Ansari (D-AZ) and having 7 bipartisan cosponsors, “Recognizing and expressing support for the Iranian people protesting for a free and democratic Iran.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(TARGETING SYRIA/CAPTAGON)  HR 7180 [bill text]: Introduced 1/21/26 by Hill (R-AR) and Moskowitz (D-FL), “To amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 to modify the interagency strategy to disrupt and dismantle narcotics production and trafficking and affiliated networks in the Middle East, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: Rep. Hill press release, “HILL AND MOSKOWITZ INTRODUCE BILL TO COMBAT CAPTAGON AND OTHER NARCOTICS“; Hill’s “one-pager” on the bill (which runs 2 pages)

(ISRAEL/MIDDLE EAST IN THE FY26 CONSOLIDATED APPROPS) HR 7148 (bill text): Introduced 1/20/26 by Cole (R-OK), the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.” This is a House-Senate conference version of the combined remaining FY25 Appropriations Bills, accompanied by a Joint Explanatory Statement. PASSED BY THE HOUSE 1/22/26 by a vote of 341-88. HR 7148 includes the FY26 Defense Appropriations bill, which includes significant annual funding for Israel [funding that is in addition to the massive funding for Israel in the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs legislation covered last week in detail], as well as other Middle East-related funding provisions, all laid out below. HR 7148 also includes the FY26 Appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration – legislation that, as it happens, also includes an interesting Israel/Middle East-related provision, also laid out below.

• AID FOR ISRAEL: Section 8071 hard earmarks $500 million for Israeli Cooperative Programs, sub-earmarked as follows: $60 million for Iron Dome; $127 million for the Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense (SRBMD) program; $40 million for co-production activities of SRBMD systems; $100 million for co-production activities of Arrow 3 Upper Tier systems; and $173 million for the Arrow System Improvement Program.
• AID FOR LEBANESE ARMED FORCES: Section 8034 hard earmarks $50 million for the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to provide assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces, subjects to many, many caveats.
• AID FOR JORDAN: Section 8109 hard earmarks $150 million for Jordan, and Section 8120 soft earmarks $500 million for the armed forces of Jordan.
• Title II: Includes a section hard earmarking $342,516 million for “Counter-ISIS Train & Equip Fund”
• ABRAHAM ACCORDS: Sec. 6611 (part of the FDA’s FY26 appropriations) is entitled, “Establishment of Abraham Accords Office within the Food and Drug Administration.” This provision mandates the establishment of an office with the FDA, within 2 years, and “provide technical assistance to regulatory partners in Abraham Accords countries on strengthening regulatory oversight and converging regulatory requirements for the oversight of regulated products, including good manufacturing practices and other issues relevant to manufacturing medical products that are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration” and “facilitate interactions between the Food and Drug Administration and interested parties in Abraham Accords countries, including by sharing relevant information regarding United States regulatory pathways with such parties, and facilitate feedback on the research, development, and manufacturing of products regulated in accordance with this Act” and “carry out other functions and activities as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section.“

Also see AIPAC X-post 1/22/26: “The House just passed its annual defense appropriations bill with important pro-Israel provisions. The bill includes: $500 million for missile defense programs like Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow, which continue to save countless lives in Israel.  $75 million for counter-drone and directed energy programs, a $20 million increase from last year.  $80 million for counter-tunnel programs, a $32.5 million increase from last year.  $47.5 million for joint cooperation on emerging technologies that will define the future of warfare, a $27.5 million increase from last year. This funding helps keep America and Israel safer and more secure”

2. Letters

• (PUNISH IRANIAN IN THE US FOR SINS OF HER FATHER) 1/22/26: Carter demands removal of Georgia doctor connected to Iranian Regime leaders advocating violence against Americans [letter text]. Her crime: being related to her father — “Dr. Ardeshir-Larijani is the daughter of Ali Larijani, a senior official of the Islamic Republic of Iran who currently serves as Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. That regime is designated by the United States as a state sponsor of terrorism responsible for the killing, imprisonment, and brutal repression of thousands of civilians. Her father has recently and publicly advocated violence against Americans and U.S. allies while holding one of the highest national security posts in that hostile government.” The letter includes no allegations relating to anything the daughter has ever said or done, but notes instead: “America’s medical institutions must not serve as a safe harbor for individuals connected by blood and loyalty to regimes that openly call for the death of Americans.” Also see Carter’s X-post 1/22/26: “I wrote a letter to Emory and the Georgia Composite Medical Board demanding Dr. Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani’s removal and the revocation of her medical license. Her father, Ali Larijani, is a senior official of the Islamic Republic of Iran who openly calls for violence against Americans. Her ties to the largest state sponsor of terrorism are unacceptable and serve only to erode patient safety, public trust, and national security.”
• (STAND UP TO ISRAEL’S WEST BANK ANNEXATION) 1/20/26: Welch, Khanna Lead 74 Bicameral Lawmakers in Urging Stronger Response from Trump Admin on Israel’s Efforts to Annex the West Bank [letter text]. Also see: Khanna (D-CA) press release; Congress to Rubio: Confront Israel’s Reckless West Bank Moves (New Jewish Narrative 1/20/26); U.S. Democrats Call for Trump Administration Pushback Against West Bank Annexation (Haaretz 1/20/26). Also see: Castro (D-TX) X-post – “Israel is actively stealing Palestinian land in the West Bank. Palestinians are being forced to leave and their homes are being destroyed. Secretary Rubio has acknowledged that these actions undermine peace. I joined my colleagues to demand Secretary Rubio stand up against Israel’s bullying.“
• (TARGETING NON-PROFITS, AGAIN) 1/20/26: Ways & Means Republicans Sound Alarm as Minnesota Scandal Unfolds, Call on IRS to Crackdown on Non-Profit Sector [letter text]

3. Hearings & Markups

January 21, 2026: The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a markup of various measures [video], including HR 3307, “To increase cooperation with countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region in order to strengthen energy security and defense capabilities, and for other purposes,” aka the “Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act.”

• Consideration of HR 3307 starts around 1:37:28 in the hearing.
• Per Jewish Insider: “The House Foreign Affairs Committee voted 45-2 to advance legislation expanding U.S. cooperation programs in the Eastern Mediterranean; Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) voted against the bill, with Castro citing concerns that U.S.-Israel scientific grant programs cited in the bill may provide funding for programs in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.“
• Press releases: SCHNEIDER BILL TO ANCHOR EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN IN U.S. FOREIGN POLICY ADVANCES and BILIRAKIS BILL TO ANCHOR EASTERN MEDITARRANEAN IN US FOREIGN POLICY ADVANCES

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – GENERAL

• Mondoweiss 1/22/26: The Shift: Israeli-American Council summit was the latest reflection of Israel’s failing brand
• @TrackAIPAC 1/21/26: “@NYWFP candidate questionnaires are in for #NY12, including questions on Israel and Palestine: 1. Do you support the “Block the Bombs Act”, which prohibits the United States transfer of weapons that the Israeli military has used in its bombardment of Gaza? 2. Do you support Rep Rashida Tlaib’s resolution H.Res.876 – Recognizing the Genocide of the Palestinian People in Gaza? Here’s what the candidates are saying [thread]“
• Haaretz 1/21/26: AIPAC, the Genocide Test and U.S.-Israel | 2026 Midterm Primary Races to Watch From New Jersey to Texas
• Jewish Insider 1/21/26: J Street hopes to capitalize on growing Democratic frustration with Israel [“‘There’s going to be a new normal,’ the progressive Israel advocacy group told JI, as it endorses candidates who call Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide”]
• Zeteo 1/18/26: Meet AIPAC’s Nightmare — The founders of Track AIPAC join Mehdi to discuss going up against one of the country’s most influential lobbies.

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New York

• Jewish News Syndicate 1/22/26: Congressional candidate says Rep. Torres ‘bought and controlled’ by Zionists
• Jacobin 1/21/26: In Harlem, a Democratic Socialist Takes On the Dem Machine — Interview with Darializa Avila Chevalier [“…Avila Chevalier is running on a platform of affordable housing for all, an end to the genocide in Gaza…”]
• Politico 1/21/26: Coverage of Israel/Palestine in NY Elex [“…Playbook obtained the WFP’s completed candidate questionnaires from Kennedy scion Jack Schlossberg, Assemblymember Alex Bores and Nadler protégéMicah Lasher. Their answers show there’s little distance between the three when it comes to the issue. The filled-out questionnaires show none support a House resolution that would recognize Israel’s military campaign as a genocide. Nor would any of them support another bill aiming to bar the U.S. from sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel (Bores and Lasher are a ‘no,’ and Schlossberg is ‘unsure’). And only Schlossberg backs a bill that would cease aid connected to the Israeli military occupation in the West Bank (Bores is a ‘no’ while Lasher is ‘unsure’). ‘I do not generally believe that definitional debates, which can divide people of good will without producing material progress in this intractable conflict or in the conditions of people’s lives, are helpful to that cause,’ Lasher said in his questionnaire. The heavily-Jewish Manhattan district is a far cry from Brooklyn’s NY-7, where another retiring member of the New York delegation, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, has battled behind the scenes with Mamdani over who should succeed her. Both major candidates in that race, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Assemblymember Claire Valdez, proudly describe Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 attacks as a genocide. In neighboring NY-10, Rep. Dan Goldman is facing a primary challenge from former City Comptroller Brad Lander in a race also energized by pro-Palestinian activism. ‘Everybody in the political consulting class will tell you that there is no path to victory somewhere like NY-12 if you recognize genocide for what it is, and I do not believe that that is true,’ said left-leaning activist Cameron Kasky, who bowed out of the race last week. His exit leaves the race to succeed Nadler without a major candidate leveling the genocide accusation. Kasky said he ended his campaign to work with California Rep. Ro Khanna on legislation related to the West Bank, saying its people ‘can’t wait for my political aspirations.’ Bores told Playbook he’s focused on a lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.”
• Jewish Insider 1/20/26: Mike Lawler condemns campaign ad against him as antisemitic [“The ad, paid for by the anti-Israel Institute for Middle East Understanding, claims Lawler’s support for aid to Israel comes at the expense of American welfare program”]
• Jewish Insider 1/18/26: AIPAC’s super PAC comes out swinging against former Rep. Tom Malinowski [“‘There are several candidates in this race that are far more supportive of the U.S.-Israel relationship than Tom Malinowski,’ United Democracy Project spokesperson Patrick Dorton told JI”]
• Jewish Currents 1/16/26: Can a Liberal Zionist Recreate Mamdani’s Coalition? [“Brad Lander’s primary challenge to Rep. Dan Goldman will test whether the progressive alliance that came together in 2025 can win again.”]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Jersey

• Jewish Insider 1/21/26: Brendan Gill emphasizes support for Israel in crowded primary field to replace Sherrill [“Gill is facing off against former Rep. Tom Malinowski and former lieutenant governor Tahesha Way, among other Dem challengers”]
• J Street Memo (Jeremy Ben-Ami) 1/21/26: Memo to AIPAC: Attacking Tom Malinowski Is No Way To Build American – or Democratic – Support for Israel [“The problem isn’t just the candidate AIPAC has chosen to attack in this race, it’s the damage its strategy is doing to American democracy, the US-Israel relationship and the Jewish community.”]
• Jewish News Syndicate 1/20/26: AIPAC spending against former rep it once supported as he aims to return to Congress [‘There are several candidates in this race that are far more supportive of the U.S.-Israel relationship than Tom Malinowski,’ a spokesman for AIPAC’s super PAC told JNS.“]
• New Jersey Globe 1/19/26: ‘The stakes have just gotten higher’: After AIPAC attack ad, Malinowski issues a warning [“Malinowski, a pro-Israel candidate, says AIPAC ‘should be scared’“]
• The Forward 1/18/26: Why is AIPAC targeting Trump’s ICE funding? [“The group’s super PAC is criticizing former Rep. Tom Malinowski for backing funding for ICE, reflecting a strategic shift amid Democratic anger at Trump and Israel”]
• NBC News 1/16/26: Sen. Tammy Duckworth endorses House candidate who saved her life in Iraq [“Adam Hamawy, a former Army physician running for New Jersey’s 12th District, treated Duckworth’s injuries after her helicopter was fired upon and crashed.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

• The Algemeiner 1/22/26: Anti-Israel Michigan Senate Candidate Promoted Group Behind Holocaust Memorial Protests
• State Affairs 1/20/26: El-Sayed bracing for potential AIPAC influence in U.S. Senate race as campaign heats up

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Illinois

• Jewish Insider 1/23/26: Moderate Democrat faces off against anti-Israel challengers in suburban Chicago battleground [“Former Rep. Melissa Bean, who compiled a solidly pro-Israel record when in Congress last decade, is facing opposition from the far left in the Democratic primary“]
• Arab America 1/21/26: A New Generation of Arab-American Politicians: Kat Abughazaleh
• Chronicle Illinois 1/21/26: Progressive Democrat candidates decry AIPAC influence
• Jewish Insider 1/20/26: Daniel Biss sought AIPAC’s support before turning against Israel in congressional bid, sources say [“Biss now takes positions at odds with those advocated by AIPAC and decried its alleged involvement in the Illinois 9th District Democratic primary“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

• Politico 1/22/26: Newsom, Wiener and POLITICO’s new firepower in LA [“Scott Wiener, the influential state senator running to succeed Nancy Pelosi in Congress, has been in damage-control mode for weeks after he dodged a debate question about whether he considers Israel’s actions in Gaza a ‘genocide.’ The online backlash against Wiener was swift, and only seemed to grow after he reversed course days later and called the conflict a ‘genocide’ in a social media video. Wiener explained why he, as a Jewish person, initially resisted using the word. But his opponents — wealthy former tech executive Saikat Chakrabarti and Supervisor Connie Chan — have seized the opening to argue it was a politically-driven move. It’s unfamiliar territory for Wiener, who’s known as a sharp tactician willing to take on bruising fights in Sacramento. That’s also why his sudden pivot has perplexed observers in his hometown of San Francisco. Wiener sat down with Playbook recently to discuss his campaign’s path forward and why the language he’s used to describe the conflict has changed…”]
• San Francisco Standard 1/22/26: Scott Wiener leaving Jewish Caucus role after Gaza ‘genocide’ remarks
• Jewish Insider 1/22/26: Scott Wiener steps down as co-chair of California Jewish caucus after accusing Israel of genocide [“The congressional candidate faced blowback from state Jewish leaders after flip-flopping on his genocide accusation, a word that he previously pledged not to use“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Louisiana

• Jewish Insider 1/22/26: Newly announced Senate candidate Julia Letlow attended 2023 Qatar junket funded by pro-Doha group 

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Pennsylvania

• Jewish Insider 1/22/26: Paige Cognetti running in Josh Shapiro’s footsteps in key Pa. swing district [“The Scranton mayor is championing her support for Israel as she challenges GOP Rep. Rob Bresnahan“]
• Chestnut Hill Local 1/21/26: Germantown Congressional forum draws crowd [lots about AIPAC/Israel]
• Philadelphia Inquirer 1/21/26: Sharif Street could become Pa.’s first Muslim member of Congress. But don’t make assumptions about his politics.

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Texas

• Jewish Insider 1/22/26: In new ad, John Cornyn blasts radical Islam for Oct. 7, Bondi Beach attacks [“Speaking to camera, Cornyn touts his efforts to revoke the tax-exempt status of the Council on American-Islamic Relations”]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Virginia

• Norther Virginia 1/22/26: Former Reality Star to Challenge Mark Warner for Senate Seat
• New York Post 1/20/26: Wall Street banker-turned-reality star launches bid for Democrat Mark Warner’s Senate seat in Virginia [“Moran told me that, unlike Warner, he will not accept donations from corporate PACs, billionaires and AIPAC — entities that many in Gen Z see as the boogeyman.”]

Other stuff

• Just Security 1/23/26: Expert Q&A on the Charter of the Board of Peace and the Role of Congress
• Jewish Insider 1/23/26: Some Republicans skeptical of Trump’s invitation to Russia, China to join Gaza Board of Peace [“Rep. Joe Wilson: ‘My personal point of view is that both of these [countries] are actually part of the axis of evil’”]
• Times of Israel 1/23/26: Netanyahu meets visiting GOP senator in Jerusalem
• Jewish Insider 1/21/26: House Dems call for steps to restore communications access in Iran, but stay mum on military strikes [“Rep. Yassamin Ansari: ‘To the people of Iran: know that you are not alone. Members of Congress and the United States see your incredible courage’“]
• CAIR 1/20/26: CAIR Calls on Congress to Condemn Israel’s Bulldozing of UN Facilities in Occupied West Bank, Torture of Prisoners
• Jewish News Syndicate 1/18/26: US ‘has no better friend’ than Israel, Graham says [“The senator’s meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu came ‘at one of the most consequential moments in recent memory,’ Lindsey Graham wrote.”]