FMEP Legislative Round-Up March 7, 2025

Resource

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

New:

1. Bills & Resolutions

(RESTORE UNRWA FUNDING) S.898: Introduced 3/6/25 by Welch (D-VT) and 6 Democratic cosponsors, “A bill to restore funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(TARGETING UNRWA & ANY OTHER UN BODIES THAT HELP PALESTINIANS OR OTHER REFUGEES) HR 1792: Introduced 3/3/25 by Gooden (R-TX) and 13 Republican cosponsors, “To prohibit United States contributions to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and for other purposes. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see press release – Congressman Lance Gooden Reintroduces the No Tax Dollars for the United Nation’s Immigration Invasion Act

(PERMANENT IRAN SANCTIONS) HR 1800: Introduced 3/3/25 by Mackenzie (R-PA) and no cosponsors, “To repeal the sunset provision of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform.

(NO HEZBOLLAH IN LATIN AMERICA) S. 842: Introduced 3/4/25 by Curtis (R-UT) and Rosen (D-NV), “A bill to counter efforts by Hezbollah to conduct terrorist activities in Latin America, and for other purposes,” aka the “No Hezbollah in Our Hemisphere Act.”  Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Curtis, Rosen introduce legislation to combat Hezbollah activities in Latin America (Jewish Insider 3/7/25). NOTE: this bill is scheduled to be marked-up in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on 3/11/25.

(DISAPPROVING OF WEAPONS SALES TO ISRAEL) H. J. Res. 68, H. J. Res. 69: Introduced 3/3/25 by Jayapal (D-WA) and 13 Democratic cosponsors, “Providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to Israel of certain defense articles and services.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(DISAPPROVING OF WEAPONS SALES TO ISRAEL) H. J. Res. 70, H. J. Res. 71 : Introduced by Tlaib (D-MI) and 13 Democratic cosponsors, “Providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed license amendment for the export to Israel of certain defense articles and services.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(TARGETING THE ICC & UN) HR 1839 & S. 833 [bill text]: Introduced 3/4/25 by in the House Roy (R-TX) and in the Senate by Lee (R-UT), “To prevent use of United Nations facilities located in the United States by the ICC, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see press release: Rep. Roy, Sen. Lee Introduce Legislation to Deport the International Criminal Court (ICC) Out of NYC; Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Chip Roy: Kick International Criminal Court Out of NYC!

(TARGETING FREE SPEECH/ACADEMIA) S. 826: Introduced 3/4/25 by Scott (R-FL), “A bill to amend title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance on the ground of religion, to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for rigorous enforcement of prohibitions against discrimination by institutions of higher education on the basis of antisemitism, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

(NO FUNDS FOR LEBANESE ARMED FORCES) HR 1844 [bill text]: Introduced 3/5/25 by Steube (R-FL), “To prohibit the availability of Federal funds to support the Armed Forces of Lebanon, and for other purposes,” aka the “Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Radicalism” Act, aka the “PAGER Act.”  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: Steube Reintroduces PAGER Act to Protect U.S. Funding from Hezbollah; Steube X-post – “They killed our troops in Beirut. They attack Israel daily. Yet Washington still funnels money to Hezbollah. My PAGER Act ensures not a single cent helps these terrorists again.”

(SANCTIONS ON HOUTHIS) HR 1848:  Introduced 3/5/25 by Issa (R-CA) and 5 cosponsors (4 Republicans plus Sherman, D-CA), “To authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Houthis, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary.

(SENDING A MESSAGE TO TURKEY) HR 1890: Introduced 3/5/25 by Schneider (D-IL) and 5 cosponsors (bipartisan), “To administratively reassign responsibility for the Republic of Turkey within the Department of State and for other purposes,” aka the “Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: House members seek to redesignate Turkey as Middle Eastern country (Jewish Insider 3/7/25); Bilirakis (R-FL) press release – Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance (CHIA) Caucus to Erdogan: It’s Time to Choose

(NO FOREIGN FLAGS ON CAPITOL HILL, NO OFFICIAL FUNDS TO PURCHASE FOREIGN FLAGS) S. 849: Introduced 3/5/25 by Moreno (R-OH),  “A bill to prohibit displaying the flag of a country other than the United States on Capitol Hill and to prohibit Members of Congress from using official funds to purchase the flag of a country other than the United States.“Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. [NOTE: Members of Congress often post/display Israel flags in and in front of their offices…]. Press release – New Moreno Bill to Ban Flags of Foreign Nations From Capitol

 

2. Letters

3. Hearings

March 5, 2024: The Senate Judiciary Committee held a shameful excuse for of hearing entitled, Never To Be Silent: Stemming the Tide of Antisemitism in America (hearing video). Majority witnesses were: Adela Cojab, National Jewish Advocacy Center (Testimony); Alyza Lewin, The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (Testimony); and Asra Nomani, The Pearl Project (Testimony). Minority witnesses were: Kevin Rachlin, The Nexus Project (Testimony); and Meirav Solomon, Student at Tufts University (Testimony). In terms of content, the hearing is exactly what one would have expected, given the zeitgeist in this Congress and given the 3 majority witnesses: virtually no interest in talking about ACTUAL antisemitism and instead focusing entirely on criticism and activism opposing Israel’s actions and policies, and on anti-Zionism; and focus instead on blanket defamation of anyone who is standing up for Palestinian lives/rights, blanket conflation of free speech/activism for Palestinian lives/rights with antisemitism,  repeated insistence on the alleged imperative for Congress to adopt/enforce the IHRA definition of antisemitism, calls to arrest/punish/deport students, claims that US activists for Palestinian lives/rights are backed by or working in coordination with foreign states and terrorist groups, and more. To get a sense of the tenor of this sh*t-show of a hearing, see the opening statement from committee chair Grassley (R-IA) — Grassley Opening Statement on Stemming the Tide of Antisemitism in America. Also see:

March 5, 2025: The House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing entitled, Bridging the Gap: Turkey Between East and West (hearing video). Witnesses were: Anna Borschevskaya, WINEP (statement); Jonathan Schanzer, FDD (statement); and Celeste Wallander, CNAS (statement). Also see:

March 4, 2025: The House Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing entitled, “The Digital Battlefield: How Terrorists Use the Internet and Online Networks for Recruitment and Radicalization” (hearing video).  Witnesses were: Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, Foundation for Defense of Democracies (statement); Aaron Zelin, WINEP (statement); Daniel Flesch, Heritage Foundation (statement – whose focus was Hamas and alleged support for Hamas in the US, boiling down to a sales pitch for Project Esther, concluding); and Kurt Braddock, American University (statement). Also see:

  • MEDIA ADVISORY: Hearing on How Terrorists Use the Internet and Online Networks for Recruitment
  • from Flesch’s bio: “From 2018-2021, Flesch served as Senior Advisor to Israel’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. He was the Founder and Executive Director of Fuel for Truth—D.C., an Israel education and advocacy program. Flesch also served in the 202nd Paratrooper Battalion of the Israel Defense Forces, where he was twice recognized as Outstanding Platoon Soldier. He wrote about his experiences and why Americans serve in the IDF for Commentary Magazine…”]

Nominations in the news

4. Selected Members on the Record

We Support Starving Everyone in Gaza &/or Trump’s Threat to Kill All Palestinians in Gaza

  • Scott (R-FL) 3/6/25: X-post – “America stands with Israel! Thank you, President Trump. 517 days in the hands of Hamas terrorists is 517 days too long. BRING THEM ALL HOME!”
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 3/5/25: X-post – “Free all the hostages or start killing Hamas members again. I fully agree with @POTUS.“
  • Fallon (R-TX) 3/5/25: X-post – “President Trump has made clear he is committed to lasting peace & security in the Middle East through his steadfast support for our ally, Israel, and max pressure campaign on Iran. A welcome change from the past 4yrs of WH appeasement towards terrorists and their sympathizers.“
  • Hagerty (R-TN) 3/5/25: X-post – “Unlike the Biden Admin, which only put pressure on our ally Israel, @realDonaldTrump puts the pressure exclusively where it belongs…on Hamas.”
  • Feenstra (R-IA) 3/5/25: X-post – “Thank you to President Trump for standing strong with Israel and holding the vicious Hamas terrorists accountable for their crimes and barbarity. The United States stands with Israel.“
  • Harrigan (R-NC) 3/5/25: X-post – “President Trump is right. Hamas must release the hostages or face the consequences. This is a fight between good and evil. Peace comes through strength, and America stands unequivocally with our greatest ally, Israel.“
  • Graham (R-SC) 3/5/35: X-post – “President @realDonaldTrump, you have my complete and total support. This is why I believe President Trump is the right man at the right time to deal with the bad guys and bring peace to the world. This ultimatum should have been delivered to Hamas early on by the Biden Administration. Mr. President: You are right to say it and It’s imperative you do it if Hamas refuses.“
  • Grassley (R-IA) 3/4/25: Grassley Stands with Israel, Demands Hamas Release all Hostages (video of floor speech)
  • Scott (R-FL) 3/4/25: X-post – “Thank God for a President who stands with our nation’s Jewish community and our great ally, Israel!”
  • Cotton (R-AR) 3/2/25: X-post – “We didn’t provide aid to Nazi Germany during World War II. The idea is preposterous. Why should Israel be forced to provide aid to Hamas-run Gaza?” [see responses, many of which remind Cotton that the ask today isn’t for Israel to provide aid to the more than 2 million Palestinian civilians suffering in Gaza; it is for Israel to stop preventing other countries/organizations from doing so]
  • Tenney (R-NY) 3/2/25: X-post – “Despite Israel’s willingness to extend the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, Hamas is refusing — which will lead to a restart of the conflict. Hamas is unequivocally responsible for any resumption of efforts to free the hostages and eradicate Hamas in Gaza. If Hamas truly wants to end the conflict, it simply needs to release all of the hostages!“

YAY! MORE WEAPON FOR ISRAEL!!!

  • Cotton (R-AR) 3/3/25: X-post – “I’m pleased that President Trump and Secretary Rubio are ending the Biden administration’s shameful arms embargo on Israel. Israel is in a war of survival against murderous terrorists and they shouldn’t be forced to fight with one hand tied behind their back. Today’s announcement will bring more well-paying jobs for American workers. And it is an important step towards securing peace in the region and bringing home the remaining hostages held by Hamas.“
  • Bean (R-FL) 3/3/25: X-post – “America FINALLY has a leader back in the White House who supports our dear ally, Israel!”
  • Hagerty (R-TN) 3/3/25: X-post – “The Biden Admin disgracefully folded to the pro-Hamas radical left by holding up security assistance Israel needs to defeat Hamas terrorists. Once again @realDonaldTrump>and his Administration take action to stand w/ our ally Israel and reverse the anti-Israel policies of the Biden Admin.”
  • Budd (R-NC) 3/3/25: X-post – “.@SecRubio’s decision to expedite arms to Israel is the right decision as Hamas refuses to release additional hostages.   The Biden Administration’s partial arms embargo was disgraceful and only prolonged the war in Gaza“
  • Tenney (R-NY) 3/2/25: X-post – “Under President Trump’s administration, America will continue to support Israel as it exercises its unequivocal right to defend itself. Justice will be served upon the terrorists who brutally kidnapped & killed American & Israeli citizens.”
  • Lawler (R-NY) 3/1/25: X-post – “I applaud the @SecRubio and the Trump Administration for expediting $4B in military aid to Israel, ensuring they have what they need to dismantle Hamas. Shame on the Biden Administration for blocking support. Israelis can rest easier with a strong ally in the White House.“

We actually care (to varying degrees) about Palestinian Lives

  • Tlaib (D-MI) 3/6/25: X-post – “Party leaders are wildly out of touch with our voters. More and more Americans can see the Israeli government’s crimes of genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people and are calling for action from their representatives. We cannot ignore them. We need an arms embargo.“
  • Quigley (D-IL) 3/5/25: X-post – “October 7th was a day of unspeakable tragedy that left deep scars on the Israeli people. The war that ensued has devastated the Palestinian people in Gaza. The only way to ensure a lasting peace is to enter the second phase of the ceasefire deal, release all remaining hostages, deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, and lay the groundwork for a two-state solution. Anything less will be a disservice to the Israeli and Palestinian people.”
  • Casar (D-TX) 3/3/25: X-post – “The Israeli government’s decision to block food, medicine, and all other aid from entering Gaza is collective punishment. That’s horrific and unacceptable. Both Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in January. That deal has saved lives — both parties should abide by it and ensure the agreement moves forward as intended.”
  • DeLauro (D-CT) 3/2/25: X-post – “Cutting off humanitarian aid to Gaza is not a responsible negotiating tactic—it is already resulting in more hunger, especially for children. Both Israel and Hamas need to return to the negotiating table alongside ongoing delivery of aid, or any path to peace is at risk.“
  • Simon (D-CA) 3/2/25: X-post – “Yesterday marked the start of Ramadan in the Muslim world, and Israel has chosen to block aid going to Gaza today. This breaks my heart. We must do everything to prolong the ceasefire by ending hostilities, returning all the hostages home, and ensuring aid reaches Gaza.“
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 3/2/25: X-post – “The ceasefire has already saved lives and it is critical that it continues. I’m appalled that Israel is illegally halting all forms of humanitarian aid into Gaza as leverage in these negotiations. This collective punishment is especially cruel as Ramadan starts.“

Weaponizing “Fighting Antisemitism” to Target Academia, Free Speech, & Protest

Israeli Hostages

Targeting the ICC

  • Crapo (R-ID) 3/7/25: X-post – “Last year, I joined my colleagues in the Senate in introducing the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act to sanction the International Criminal Court for its attempts to politicize retribution against the U.S. and our allies, particularly Israel. While this measure failed to pass the Senate, I will continue working with my colleagues to bring an end to the misconduct of the ICC. Fortunately, on February 6, 2025, President Trump imposed similar sanctions on the ICC. Israel has been and continues to be one of the most important allies for the U.S. in an increasingly unstable and dangerous region, and continued support of Israel is vital to our national security.“
  • Crapo (R-ID) 3/3/25: The International Criminal Court [“…Neither Israel nor the United States is a member of the ICC, which does not have the jurisdiction to conduct such an investigation.  The ICC applying for warrants for Hamas and Israeli officials at the same time indicates a false equivalency between their actions, and I oppose any efforts by the ICC to arrest Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other Israeli officials…I will continue working with my colleagues to bring an end to the misconduct of the ICC.”]

Other stuff

5. Selected Media