FMEP Legislative Round-Up June 12, 2025 (early this week)

Resource

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

Note: Due to time constraints, the Round-Up is out early this week.

New from FMEP:

  • 6/9/25 – New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, Daily Life while Committing Genocide: the Lexicon of Brutality in Israel, ft. FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaking with sociologist Assaf Bondy and human rights researcher and historian Adam Raz about what they call the “lexicon of brutality,” drawing from a recent book the pair published in Hebrew on the language that Israelis use to discuss Palestinians and, specifically, the Israeli war on Gaza. The trio also talk about whether Israel has ever been a democracy and what people in Israel who oppose the genocide can do to resist it.

1. Bills & Resolutions

Responding to & Exploiting Heinous Boulder Attack

(CONDEMNING ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE) H. Res. 481: Introduced 6/5/25 by Van Drew (R-NJ) and 53 bipartisan cosponsors, “Condemning the rise in ideologically motivated attacks on Jewish individuals in the United States, including the recent violent assault in Boulder, Colorado, and reaffirming the House of Representatives commitment to combating antisemitism and politically motivated violence.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Passed 6/9/25 under suspension of the rules, by a roll call vote of 400-0, with 2 (Greene, R-GA and Tlaib, D-MI) voting “present.” House consideration is here and here.

(CONDEMNING ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE) H. Res. 485: Introduced 6/6/25 by Evans (R-CO) and 3 Republican cosponsors, “Denouncing the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado.” Passed 6/9/25 under suspension of the rules, by a roll call vote of 230-113 (all “No” voting coming from Democrats), with 6 voting “present” (5 Democrats and 1 Republican). House consideration is here and here. NOTE: The original text of this resolution, which was posted by the House Majority Leader late on 6/6/25 (days before it showed up in the Congressional Record), included extremely contentious and inflammatory language, stating in one of the “whereas” clauses, asserting as fact that the phrase “Free Palestine” is “an antisemitic slogan that calls for the destruction of the state of Israel and the Jewish people.” This immediately sparked backlash on social media, and subsequently, without any no public explanation, that language was removed from the bill (as in, if you look the bill up in the Congressional Record, the version of the bill that shows up as “introduced” does not contain this language) before the bill was voted on by the House.

Also see:

  • Tlaib (D-MI)  6/11/25: Tlaib Statement on H.Res. 488 and H.Res. 481 [“H.Res. 488 and H.Res. 481 are Republican-led attempts to cynically politicize tragic acts of violence—like the recent horrific attack in Boulder—to demonize immigrant communities, praise ICE, and pave the path for the further repression of our constitutional rights to free speech and protest in support of Palestinian lives and human rights. Violence has no place in our communities. My heart goes out to all of the victims and their loved ones. Exploiting these tragedies for political motivations is wrong. At the same time, Congress has failed to even once denounce the rise in anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim hate crimes, particularly the murder of Wadea al-Fayoume and the shooting of Hisham Awartani, which has left him paralyzed from the chest down. I stand firmly against antisemitism. And I stand firmly in support of a Free Palestine. These values are not contradictory. Our fight against antisemitism is connected to our fight against Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, white nationalism, and oppression in all forms. We must continue to speak out for a world free from dehumanization and violence.”
  • Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rashida Tlaib vote ‘present’ on item condemning antisemitism (Times of Israel 6/11/25)
  • House to vote on two resolutions condemning Boulder attack, antisemitism (Jewish Insider 6/8/25)

(CONDEMNING ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE) H. Res. 498: Introduced 6/10/25 by Van Duyne (R-TX), “Condemning the surge in antisemitic violence in the United States and reaffirming support for the safety and civil rights of Jewish Americans.“  Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Education and Workforce. NOTE: This resolution massively up the ante in terms of delegitimizing and inciting against protesters for Palestinian lives and rights.

Targeting Free Speech/Right to Protest

(DENYING/REVOKING US PASSPORT OF ANYONE ACCUSED OF SUPPORT FOR AN FTO) HR 3860: Introduced 6/10/25 by Biggs (R-SC) and 8 Republican co-sponsors,  “To authorize the revocation or denial of passports to individuals affiliated with foreign terrorist organizations, and for other purposes,” aka the “No Passports for Terrorists and Traffickers Act.“ Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. REMINDER: Many defenders of Israel/opponents of Palestine solidarity, including in the Trump Administration accuse pretty much anyone engaged in protest or other free speech in support of Palestinian lives/rights of support for Hamas… This argument is already being used as a basis to target non-citizens in the US for detention and deportation, and to ban visas for them to come to the US. This new legislation appears to be an effort to expand this targeting to US citizens.

(TARGETING THOSE WHO “ENDORSE OR ESPOUSE” TERRORISM) HR 3926: Introduced 6/11/25 by Pfluger (R-TX) and 2 Republican cosponsors, “To consider, for purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act, that officers, officials, representatives, spokespersons, and members of Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, Palestine Islamic Jihad, and ISIS, and individuals who endorse or espouse terrorist activities conducted by such organizations are engaged in terrorist activity.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Targeting the Muslim Brotherhood

(TO FORCE STATE TO DESIGNATE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AS AN FTO) HR 3883: Introduced 6/10/25 by Mace (R-SC), “To require the Secretary of State to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization.”  Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: press release — Rep. Nancy Mace Targets Muslim Brotherhood With New Bill

Disapproval of Arms Sales — REJECTED

(TARGETING QATAR ARMS SALES) S. J. Res. 53: Introduced 5/15/25 by Murphy (D-CT) and having 6 cosponsors (5 Democrats + 1 Independent), “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Qatar of certain defense articles and services.” Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 39 – 56.

(TARGETING UAE ARMS SALES) S. J. Res. 54: Introduced 5/15/25 by Murphy (D-CT) and 6 cosponsors (5 Democrats + 1 Independent), “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of certain defense articles and services.” Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 39 – 56.

Also see:

Other Stuff

(TARGETING IRAN) S. 1136: Introduced 3/26/25 by Hassan (D-NH) and 3 cosponsors (bipartisan), “To authorize sentencing enhancements for certain criminal offenses directed by or coordinated with foreign governments,” aka the “Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors Act (DETERRENCE Act).” Passed by the Senate 6/11/25 by Unanimous Consent.

(TARGETING PROTEST) S. 2000 (text): Introduced 6/10/25 by Cotton (R-AR), “A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to increase the penalty for rioting,” aka the “Mitigating Extreme Lawlessness Act.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

(TARGETING PROTEST) S. 2001 (text): Introduced 6/10/25 by Cotton (R-AR), “A bill to subject aliens convicted of certain crimes to expedited removal from the United States,” aka the “No Visas for Violent Criminals Act.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

2. Letters

(TARGETING UN/INTL LAW) 6/12/25: Jewish Insider – Lawmakers again demand U.N.’s Albanese be fired. Per Jewish Insider (there is not press release as of this writing), the letter was signed by an entirely predictable list of members consisting of Sherman (D-CA), Goldman (D-NY), Shreve (R-IN), Salazar (R-FL), Gillen (D-NY), Schneider (D-IL), Moskowitz (D-FL), Torres (D-NY), Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Suozzi (D-NY). by Sherman (D-CA) and “Democratic Majority for Israel helped organize the letter.” Also see: Sherman (D-CA) X-post 6/11/25: “UN Special Rapporteur Albanese’s long history of antisemitism – she has regularly used antisemitic terms like the ‘Jewish lobby,’ taken money from pro-Hamas groups, and claims that Israel doesn’t have the right to defend itself or even to exist. Instead of demonstrating that the UN can address issues such as antisemitism from within and prevent continued efforts to undermine the UN’s credibility, Secretary General Guterres extended Ms. Albanese’s employment. I am proud to have drafted a statement signed by many of my Jewish colleagues about her outrageous antisemitic behavior.“

(TARGETING ACADEMIA) 6/11/25: @EdWorkforceCmte Deepens Sarah Lawrence Investigation Amid Reports of Hostile, Antisemitic Environment [letter text]

(ALLEGED IRAN TIES) 6/11/25: Stefanik Demands BNY Mellon Provide Transparency over Troubling Ties to Iranian-Linked Terrorist Organizations [letter text]

(CONCERN FOR GAZA FREEDOM FLOTILLA) 6/6/25: Tlaib (D-MI) + 20 co-signers letter to Rubio – “…we urge you to address the issue at the root of this voyage: the brutal Israeli blockade and mass starvation of the Palestinian population of Gaza. We demand an immediate end to the blockade, an immediate resumption of unfettered humanitarian aid entry into Gaza, and an immediate and lasting ceasefire. While the Trump administration and the international community fail to use their immense leverage to end this blockade, the activists on board the Madleen are an example of humanitarianism and solidarity. They deserve safety, as does the besieged population of Gaza.” [letter text]. Also see Tlaib X-thread – “I’m leading a letter to the Trump Administration demanding safe passage for the @GazaFFlotilla to deliver humanitarian aid and food to Gaza. Any interception or attack on this crew is a violation of international law. The Israeli government must lift the blockade and end the forced starvation of 2 million Palestinians.“

(TARGETING SOCIAL MEDIA OVER CRITICISM OF ISRAEL) 6/6/25: Landsman Urges President Trump to Work with Social Media Companies to Combat Antisemitism [letter text].

3. Hearings

July 9, 2025: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce will hold a hearing entitled, Antisemitism in Higher Education: Examining the Role of Faculty, Funding, and Ideology. Witness will be: 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. Also see: Committee press release – College Presidents to Answer for Sources Inciting Antisemitism [ “We continue to see antisemitic hatred festering at schools across the country,” said Chairman Walberg. “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.”]; House committee calls Georgetown, Berkeley, CUNY presidents for antisemitism hearing [“The hearing is set to focus on issues including foreign funding and antisemitic student groups”] (Jewish Insider 6/9/25)

June 11, 2025: The House Homeland Security Committee held a hearing entitled, The Rise of Anti-Israel Extremist Groups and Their Threat to U.S. National Security (hearing video). Witnesses were: Kerry Sleeper, Secure Community Network (statement); James Carafano, Heritage Foundation (statement);  Oren Segal, Anti-Defamation League (statement); and Julie Fishman Rayman, American Jewish Committee (statement). Also see:

June 10, 2025: The House Armed Services Committee held a hearing entitled, U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in the Greater Middle East and Africa (hearing video). Witnesses were: General Michael Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command (statement); General Michael Langley, USMC, Commander, U.S. Africa Command (statement); and Katherine Thompson, Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Office of the Secretary of Defense (statement). Also see:

June 10, 2025: The Senate Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce and Regulatory Affairs held a hearing entitled, Match Ready: Oversight of the Federal Government’s Border Management and Personnel Readiness Efforts for the Decade of Sports (hearing video). The testimony of one witness, Dr. Gina Ligon, University of Nebraska), dealt extensively with Israel-related matters.

June 10, 2025: The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission held a hearing entitled, Human Rights In Turkey Today (hearing video). Witnesses were: Enes Kanter Freedom, Human rights activist, former NBA basketball player; Alp Aslandogan, Executive Director, Alliance for Shared Values; and Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute.

4. Selected Members on the Record

[NOTE: Due to time constraints Members on the Record this week does not include anything from social media]

  • Ernst (R-IA) 6/11/25: Ernst Bill Protecting Americans from Foreign-Directed Crimes Passes Senate
  • Johnson (R-LA) 6/11/25: Speaker Johnson to Travel to Israel to Address the Knesset
  • Johnson (R-LA) 6/10/25: Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries Lead Memorial Vigil Honoring the Lives of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky
  • The New Democrat Coalition 6/10/25: ICYMI in Semafor: ‘Move fast and fix things’: New Democrats push to lead their party’s revamp (interview with Brad Schneider – “…Speaking of free speech, we’ve seen a lot of daylight in the party when it comes to the war between Israel and Hamas. How do you see the caucus moving forward on it? I don’t think there’s any debate that this war is horrible. And then within that, there’s a debate of how to get to the most expeditious end — I know, for me, that’s getting the hostages released, Hamas relinquishing control of Gaza, abandoning its threat to Israel, and then working within the Abraham Accords. The debate’s fine. But denying the legitimacy of Israel or calling for the destruction of the Palestinians, you’ve crossed the line on both sides.”
  • Group of Jewish House Democrats 6/9/25: Reps. Sherman, Gottheimer, Moskowitz, Schrier, Wasserman-Schultz, Landsman, Schneider, Frankel Call for Legislative Action Following Back-to-Back Antisemitic Terror Attacks
  • Smith (R-MO) 6/6/25: Fighting back against the Left-wing antisemitic terror movement
  • Senate Foreign Relations Committee 6/6/25: ICYMI: Risch Talks U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East at Hudson

5. Selected Media