FMEP Legislative Round-Up July 3, 2025

Resource

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

New from FMEP:

  • New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, The Urgency of Telling Palestinian Stories, ft. FMEP fellow Hilary Rantisi in conversation with author & architect Suad Amiry and film & TV director/actor/producer Cherien Dabis. They discuss Cherien’s latest film, All That’s Left of You, an intergenerational story that goes back to the 1948 Nakba and arrives at the present and premiered at Sundance in early 2025. They talk about one of Suad’s most famous books, Sharon and My Mother-in-Law, about life under Israeli occupation on the West Bank, and its upcoming adaptation to the screen, which Cherien will direct. Along the way, they discuss the effect of humor in storytelling, the role of diaspora Palestinians and relationship to the broader Palestinian collective, and the urgency of telling Palestinian stories.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

War Powers Act

(NO US ARMED FORCES INVOLVEMENT IN IRAN WAR) S. J. Res. 59: Introduced 6/16/25 by Kaine (D-VA), “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.”  Defeated 6/27/25 by a roll call vote of 47-53 [a party-line vote except for Paul (R-KY) voting “yes” and Fetterman (D-PA) voting “no”]. See members’ websites for statements. Also see: floor statements/discussion.

Re: Iran, Iran-Israel, & Trump

(BUNKER BUSTERS FOR ISRAEL!) HR XXXX [bill text]: On 7/2/25, Rep. Gottheimer (D-NJ) issued a press release: Gottheimer, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Bunker Buster Act to Equip Israel Against Iran’s Continued Nuclear Threat, Strengthen U.S. National Security. The press release notes that this is “legislation that authorizes the president to support Israel’s defense by providing the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), or ‘bunker buster’ bomb, and the aircraft required to deploy it — to take out Iran’s underground nuclear infrastructure” and argues that “Equipping Israel with this capability directly strengthens American national security by eliminating Iran’s pathway to a nuclear weapon.” Gottheimer also posted on X – “Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terror and is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans. As Iran rebuilds its nuclear program, we must maintain maximum deterrence. My bipartisan Bunker Buster Act will give Israel the tools she needs to deter Iranian aggression and take out their underground nuclear sites — strengthening U.S. national security.” Also see:

(SUPPORTING TRUMP’S MILITARY ATTACK ON IRAN) H. Res. 554: Introduced 6/27/25 by Baumgartner (R-WA) and 4 Republican cosponsors, “Supporting President Trump’s decisive actions to dismantle Iran’s nuclear weapons program and affirming unwavering support for the State of Israel’s right to self-defense.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Armed Services. Also see: press release – Baumgartner, Pfluger, Nunn Champion Resolution to End Iran’s Nuclear Threat and Defend Israel

(MEDALS FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN IRAN BOMBING) HR 4254: Introduced 6/30/25 by Gonzales (R-TX) and 12 Republican cosponsors, “To establish a military service medal to be issued to members of the Armed Forces who served in support of operations related to the Iran-Israel War, including Operation Midnight Hammer.” Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. Also see: press release – Rep. Tony Gonzales Introduces Bill to Create Military Campaign Service Medal for Iran-Deployed Troops

Weaponizing “Fighting Antisemitism” to Target Free Speech/Protest/Civil Society

(DEMAND PLAN TO IMPLEMENT TRUMP EO TARGETING FREE SPEECH/PROTEST, BASED ON IHRA DEFINITION, INCL EXAMPLES) HR 4213: Introduced 6/26/25 by Amodei (R-NV), the “Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026.” On 6/26/25, the House Appropriations Committee reported HR 4213 out of committee, accompanied by a report – H. Rept. 119-173. That report includes the following: ” Combatting Antisemitism.–The Committee directs the Secretary to release a public report, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, detailing how the Department plans to implement Executive Order 14188, of January 29, 2025, relating to additional measures to combat antisemitism.” As a reminder, EO 14188, per the White House’s own fact sheet, is NOT about antisemitism in general, but rather “...takes forceful and unprecedented steps to marshal all Federal resources to combat the explosion of anti-Semitism on our campuses and in our streets since October 7, 2023.” It requires every Federal executive department and agency leader to “review and report to the White House within sixty days on all criminal and civil authorities and actions available for fighting anti-Semitism.” It promises “Immediate action” by the Department of Justice “to protect law and order, quell pro-Hamas vandalism and intimidation, and investigate and punish anti-Jewish racism in leftist, anti-American colleges and universities” and demands “the removal of resident aliens who violate our laws.” And as a reminder EO 14188 is explicitly an expansion on Trump’s 2019 EO on antisemitism (which Biden elected to never rescind), which adopts and enforce the IHRA definition of antisemitism, including its examples conflating criticism of Israel/Zionism with antisemitism. Also see:

Other stuff
(CENSURING REP. OGLES FOR HIS ATTACK AGAINST ZOHRAN MAMDANI) H. Res. 553: Introduced 6/27/25 by Thanedar (D-MI), “Censuring Representative Andrew Ogles.” Referred to the House Committee on Ethics. The “whereas” clauses state: “Whereas, on June 26, 2025, after the victory of Zohran Mamdani in the first round of the New York City Democratic mayoral primary election, Representative Andrew Ogles used his official accounts on the social media platforms X and Instagram to publicly insult and demean Mr. Mamdani in a racist, Islamophobic, and anti-immigrant post, by calling Mr. Mamdani ‘little muhammad’ and calling for Mr. Mamdani to be ‘DEPORTED’ and ‘subject to denaturalization proceedings‘” and “Whereas, on June 26, 2025, Representative Andrew Ogles used his official account on the social media platform X to post a video of Mr. Mamdani with the caption, ‘DEPORT little muhammad!‘” and “Whereas, on June 26, 2025, Representative Andrew Ogles used his official accounts on the social media platforms X and Instagram to post an image of himself and Mr. Mamdani that contains the word ‘DEPORT’ and is accompanied by the caption, ‘Bye bye, little muhammad!‘”. Also see: press release – Congressman Shri Thanedar Introduces Censure Resolution against Representative Andy Ogles for Anti-Immigrant Remarks; Thanedar X-post.
(REPEALING SYRIA SANCTIONS) HR 4241: Introduced 6/27/25 by Omar (D-MN) and Luna (R-FL), “To repeal sanctions with respect to the Syrian Arab Republic, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary, and Financial Services. Also see: press release – Reps. Ilhan Omar and Anna Paulina Luna Introduce Syria Sanctions Relief Act to End Broad U.S. Sanctions on Syria

(SANCTIONS ON THE “IRAN-ALIGNED” POLISARIO FRONT) HR 4119: Introduced 6/24/25 by Wilson (R-SC) and Panetta (D-CA), “To provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Polisario Front, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: House bill aims to impose sanctions on Iran-aligned Polisario Front (Jewish News Syndicate 6/27/25)

2. Letters

3. Hearings & Briefings

July 9, 2025: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce will hold yet another witch trial/kangaroo court – sorry, I mean hearing – this one entitled, “Antisemitism in Higher Education: Examining the Role of Faculty, Funding, and Ideology.”  Announced victims – sorry, I mean witnesses – (so far) are: Dr. Robert M. Groves, Interim President, Georgetown University; Dr. Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Chancellor, The City University of New York; and Dr. Rich Lyons, Chancellor, University of California, Berkeley. On 7/2/25, Chairman Walberg (R-MI) issued a reminder about the hearing, noting: ““We continue to see antisemitic hatred festering at schools across the country. While much of the discussion has focused on the devastating effects of antisemitism, this hearing will focus on the underlying factors instigating antisemitic upheaval and hatred on campus. Until these factors—such as foreign funding and antisemitic student and faculty groups—are addressed, antisemitism will persist on college campuses. Our Committee is building on its promise to protect Jewish students and faculty while many university leaders refuse to hold agitators of this bigotry, hatred, and discrimination accountable.”

4. Selected Members on the Record

Cotton (R-IN) 7/2/25: X-post – “The murderous Hamas terrorists, who are still holding hostages, are the obstacle to peace in the region not our Israeli allies. President Trump warned Hamas and now they will face the consequences if they don’t immediately release all the hostages and surrender.”

Luna (R-FL) 7/2/25: X-post – “POTUS just brokered a 60 day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. EVERY SINGLE MEMBER of Congress should have the common sense to agree this is a MAJOR STEP TOWARDS PEACE and give him credit where it is due!”

McCollum (D-MN) 7/1/25: X-post – “I am horrified to learn about the disgusting attacks on the Palestinian village of Kafr Marlik in the West Bank. These are blatantly illegal attacks by Israeli settlers—under both international and Israeli law. They must stop. The Israeli government must meet their own standards and hold those accountable for their crimes.” With link to New York Times 7/1/25 article, In an Attack at Sunset, Israelis Set a Palestinian Village Ablaze – The violence last week in Kafr Malik, in the West Bank, comes amid a surge in assaults by Israeli settlers. It also set off a chain of violence in the area.

Risch (R-ID) 7/1/25: X-post – “Ireland, while often a valuable U.S. partner, is on a hateful, antisemitic path that will only lead to self-inflicted economic suffering. If this legislation is implemented, America will have to seriously reconsider its deep and ongoing economic ties. We will always stand up to blatant antisemitism.” Linked to Jerusalem Post article, Ireland becomes first European country to introduce ban on trade, imports from Israeli settlements

Hamadeh (R-AZ) 6/30/25: X-post – “Congressman Hamadeh is encouraged to hear that several of Israel’s Arab neighbors may be joining the Abraham Accords. Strengthening the Accords is a top diplomatic priority. That’s why the Congressman & @RepSchneider introduced the bipartisan PEACE Act.” [sic]

Tenney (R-NY) 6/30/25: X-post – “Chanting ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Death to the IDF’ at a major music festival isn’t activism; it’s promoting terrorism. The Left’s refusal to condemn this rhetoric is fueling the dangerous rise in anti-Semitism.”

Bacon (R-NE) 6/30/25: X-post – “I ran on a message of wanting a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and won five times. You know why? Because most in our district agrees.”

Walberg (R-MI) 6/30/25: Chair Walberg on Antisemitism Task Force Finding Harvard Violated Civil Rights Law

Graham (R-SC) 6/29/25: X-post (incl video clip) – “True peace will only come when Iran abandons its ambition to destroy the State of Israel. That must be the prerequisite for any negotiations.”

Cornyn (R-TX) 6/29/25: X-post – “<While Israel and the U.S. were bombing Iran’s nuclear sites, another battlefield emerged behind the scenes: the financial infrastructure that keeps Tehran connected to the world“. With link to Wall Street Journal article, How Israel-Aligned Hackers Hobbled Iran’s Financial System – Broken cash machines, halted payments and a crippled crypto exchange were all the result of pro-Israeli efforts

LaLota (R-NY) 7/29/25: X-post – “Taxpayer dollars have no place funding colleges that enable antisemitic rhetoric that leads to campus violence. That was my message at the ‘Run For Their Lives’ event in Commack, where we stood united against antisemitism and proudly in support of Israel.”

Van Hollen (D-MD) 6/27/25: X-post – “Outrageous. Yesterday the Trump admin announced $30M for GHF—the shadowy group at the center of the scheme to replace humanitarian aid orgs in Gaza w/ mercenaries, leading to the killing of starving civilians trying to collect food. Taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for this outrage” Linked to Haaretz article, ‘It’s a Killing Field’: IDF Soldiers Ordered to Shoot Deliberately at Unarmed Gazans Waiting for Humanitarian Aid

Casar (D-TX) 6/27/25: X-post – “In the past month alone, 549 unarmed Palestinians in Gaza have been killed while waiting for food and aid. Over 4,000 have been shot and wounded. ‘It’s a killing field,’ one soldier said. ‘They’re treated like a hostile force – no crowd-control measures… just live fire.’ This is horrifying. It must end, and the US must stop funding Netanyahu’s massacre in Gaza.”

5. Selected Media

The Mamdani Factor

Elections 

On the Weaponization/Politicization of Antisemitism

Other stuff