FMEP Legislative Round-Up May 16, 2025

Resource

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

New from FMEP:

1. Bills & Resolutions

The Return of the “Non-Profit Killer” Legislation

  • On 5/13/25 the House Ways & Means held a nearly 18-hour mark-up Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” — in the form of a 389-page amendment in the nature of a substitute (ANS) to a 28-page piece of baseline legislation entitled, “Providing for reconciliation pursuant to H.Con.Res. 14, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025,” aka ‘‘The One Big, Beautiful Bill,” aka “the BBB.”  In the end, the ANS passed by a Voice Vote (by all appearances party-line); the motion to adopt the bill, as amended, passed by a party-line vote of 26-19; and the motion to report the bill out of committee passed by a party-line vote of 26-19.
  • Notably, at the very very end of that ANS – starting on page 380, House Republicans attached a section entitled, “Termination of Tax-Exempt Status of Terrorist Supporting Organizations.”  This legislation is a slightly tweaked version of legislation introduced in the last Congress — HR 9495 / HR 6408 / S. 1436 — that has come to be known as the “Non-Profit Killer Bill.” For a deep dive into this legislation and its path in the last Congress, see the 11/22/24 edition of the Round-Up. Importantly, the tweaks that have been made to the legislation in its latest form in no way mitigate the immediate and devastating threat this bill poses to the non-profit sector.
  • Given the scope of the BBB and the huge number of massively controversial elements it includes, it was arguably unsurprising that the “Non-Profit Killer” provision did not come during the markup, and no amendments were offered to challenge its inclusion in the bill, despite the existence of serious opposition to it (as seen around the vote on HR 9495 and its aftermath).
  • That said, it has been suggested by Hill observers that the decision by opponents of the Non-Profit Killer bill to not spend political capital fighting its inclusion in the BBB reflected, at least in part, the belief that this provision is likely to be stripped out of the bill by the Senate Parliamentarian — based not on any substantive objections but rather on the Byrd Rule, which bans the inclusion of extraneous matters on reconciliation bills. And if that doesn’t happen, there is still a chance the provision could be blocked/stripped out by an amendment in the Senate.

Also see:

Palestinian Rights & Lives

Support for Israel

  • (MORE US-ISRAEL DEFENSE COOPERATION!) H. Res. 411: Introduced 5/14/25 by Berman (R-MI) and 12 bipartisan cosponsors, “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the enduring alliance between the United States and Israel and the necessity of expanding defense cooperation to address evolving threats.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – Bergman Introduces Bipartisan Resolution to Strengthen U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership
  • (CONDEMNING HAMAS, DEMANDING RELEASE OF HOSTAGES) H. Res. 413/S. Res. 227: Introduced 5/14/25 in the House by Stevens (D-MI) and Hill (R-AR), and in the Senate by Rosen (D-NV) and 9 bipartisan cosponsors, “Condemning Hamas for its premeditated, coordinated, and brutal terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, against Israel and demanding that Hamas immediately release all remaining hostages and return them to safety, and for other purposes.“ Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Bipartisan, bicameral resolutions urge White House to prioritize hostage release (Jewish Insider 5/15/25)

Targeting Free Speech/Academia/Right to Protest

  • (WEAPONIZING FIGHT AGAINST ANTISEMITISM) H. Res. 352: Introduced 4/24/25 by Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and having 11 bipartisan cosponsors, “Calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism and educate the public on the contributions of the Jewish American community.” The “whereas” clauses of this resolution make clear that the focus is “antisemitism” in the wake of the 10/7/23 Hamas attacks on Israel. In the context of the far-reaching and ever-escalating conflation of free speech/protest of Israel’s actions in Gaza (and the West Bank, and Lebanon, and Syria, and Yemen) with antisemitism — and ongoing moves to turn this conflation into a weapon of mass destruction against protest, academia, etc — this framing makes the final “resolved” clause of this resolution especially concerning: resolving that the House, “takes all possible steps to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of American Jews in all aspects of their lives, including the workplace, college and university campuses, synagogues, and at home.” Passed by the House 5/14/25 by a vote of 421-1. The only “No” vote was Massie (R-KY), commented in an X-post – “GOP leadership put this Wasserman-Schultz (former chair of the DNC) Resolution to a vote and then announced we would go home a day early. I think antisemitism is bad but dictating what people can say or think is not Congress’s job. I voted no. When are we going to do our jobs?” Also see press release – Bipartisan Jewish American Heritage Month Resolution Passes the House
  • (TARGETING ACADEMIA) S. 1738: Introduced 5/13/25 by Sullivan (R-AK), “A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit institutions of higher education from receiving gifts from or entering into contracts with foreign countries of concern.” Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

On Qatar’s mega-bribe (sorry,  I mean: gift of love & respect) to Trump

Disapproving of Military Sales to UAE

Other stuff

 2. Letters

3. Hearings

4. Selected Members on the Record

(Not including here the many, many, many statements and social media posts celebrating the release of the American-Israeli IDF soldier taken prisoner by Hamas on 10/7/23)

The Bombing/Starving/Annihilation of Gaza + West Bank-related stuff

    • Cherfilus-McCormick (R-FL) 5/16/25: X-post – “Thank you @IsraelinUSA Ambassador Leiter for speaking with me about how we can strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, the need to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza, and broader challenges facing the region.“
    • McCollum (D-MN) 5/16/25: X-post – “The use of bunker-busting bombs by Israeli Defense Forces to target civilian hospitals must stop immediately. Strikes on civilians are completely unacceptable. The people of Gaza are on the brink of starvation, and Israeli actions to bomb hospitals are driving the region further from peace. The United States and the international community must focus on delivering humanitarian aid to those in need as quickly as possible.“
    • Warner (D-VA) 5/16/25: X-post – “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is devastating and must end. Israeli authorities must allow aid to reach Palestinian civilians, and we must continue working towards a lasting ceasefire that includes the safe return of all remaining hostages.“
    • Calvert (R-CA) 5/15/25: X-post – “Tzeela Gez was on her way to give birth to her fourth child when she was shot and killed by a Palestinian gunman. Hamas is praising this evil and horrific murder. These tragedies will inevitably continue unless Hamas is eliminated. The US must help Israel achieve that end.“
    • Fetterman (D-PA) 5/15/25: X-post – “The depravity to target and celebrate killing a pregnant woman as a ‘heroic operation.’ Call that what it is and pick a side in this existential war.“
  • Welch (D-VT) 5/15/25: X-post (with video clip) – “Last week, Jinan Iskafi died of starvation in Gaza. She was four months old. The formula she needed to survive was just across the border. But because of the month’s-long blockage of aid into Gaza, her parents couldn’t get it in time.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 5/15/25: Floor speech – The Nakba Never Ended (also talking about the Non-Profit Killer bill)
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 5/15/25: (with video clip) – “My sity’s only crime in the eyes of the Israeli government is that she was born Palestinian. Today, to honor her and Palestinians all over the world, I introduced a resolution to recognize 77 years of the ongoing Nakba. It continues to this day with the genocide in Gaza.“
  • McCormick (R-PA) 5/15/25: X-post – “As Chair of the @SenateForeign Subcommittee that deals with matters regarding the Middle East, I hear the deep concerns about the region. In one of my recent tele-town halls, I made it clear: Israel is one of our closest allies, Iran must be deterred, & Hamas must be eliminated.“
  • McGovern (D-MA) 5/15/25: X-post – “Tons of food, medicine, water, shelter and other urgent humanitarian aid remains blocked from entering Gaza by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The world must speak out and demand the rapid, unimpeded, impartial, neutral, and independent delivery of humanitarian aid. Now!“
  • Schneider (D-IL) 5/14/25: X-post – “Good sign that Israel is resuming aid into Gaza. Efforts to end the war, return all 58 hostages, remove Hamas, & begin the process of recovery & renewal for the people of Gaza must continue. The ultimate goal remains to build on the Abraham Accords to achieve security & peace.”
  • LaLota (R-NY) 5/14/25: X-post – “The United States must continue holding Hamas accountable while working closely with Israel to locate and rescue the fewer than two dozen hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza.“
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 5/13/25: X-post – “This stain on humanity was part of the 10/7 massacre. I fully back Israel on whatever’s necessary to hold this coward accountable.” [commenting on Israel’s 5/13/25 bombing of yet another Gaza hospital, killed and wounding dozens of Palestinians]
  • Van Hollen (D-MD) 5/11/25: X-post – “Today marks 3 years since Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while reporting in the West Bank—and we’ve yet to see accountability for her death. As I told her brother Tony, her niece Lina & her nephew Victor last week, I won’t rest until we do.“
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 5/11/25: X-post – “The ICC equated the Hamas leader and architect of 10/7, to the democratically elected leader of our ally. Sanctioning the ICC was justified and necessary. I voted AYE for that bill and was incredibly disappointed it did not pass.“
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 5/10/25: X-post – “Disarming Hamas is non-negotiable, as their organizing principle is to destroy Israel. Israel deserves security. Gaza must be rebuilt. Palestinians deserve relief. These noble goals are wholly incompatible with an armed Hamas.“

Defending Fetterman

  • Cotton (R-AR) 5/9/25: X-post – “John Fetterman and I have our differences, but he’s a decent and genuine guy. The radical left is smearing him with dishonest, vicious attacks because he’s pro-Israel and they only want reliable anti-Israel politicians. Disgraceful.”

On Qatar’s mega-bribe (sorry,  I mean gift of love & respect) to Trump & Trump’s Mideast Trip in General

  • Connolly (D-VA) 5/15/25: America is Not for Sale: Ranking Member Connolly Urges White House to Immediately Decline a $400 Million Plane, an Illegal “Gift” from Qatar
  • Graham (R-SC) 5/14/25: X-post – “This is great news for South Carolina and Boeing. The operative phrase is ‘largest ever.’ Today’s announcement marks Boeing’s largest ever widebody order, its largest 787 order and Qatar Airways’ largest order ever. Qatar Airways’ purchase will ensure the Charleston plant has work for many years to come and it is a validation of the work product coming from the Charleston Boeing facility. The Boeing workforce in South Carolina has a lot to be proud of – they consistently work hard and provide great airplanes. I appreciate our allies in Qatar for making this investment in Boeing aircraft and I appreciate everything the Trump Administration has done to make this possible. This is truly a gamechanger for Boeing and South Carolina.”
  • Murphy (D-CT) 5/13/25: Murphy On Trump’s Middle East Trip: This Isn’t America First. This Is Trump First. It’s A National Security Disaster And A Moral Abomination.
  • Murphy (D-CT) 5/12/25: Murphy To Block Arms Sales To Nations Engaging In Bribery Of The Trump Administration
  • Reed (D-RI) 5/12/25: Reed Statement on Qatar Gifting Luxury Plane to President Trump
  • Schumer (D-NY) 5/12/25: Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Condemning Donald Trump’s Shameless Self Enrichment After Accepting A Private Jet From Qatar And The Lack Of Response From Republicans
  • Booker (D-NJ) 5/12/25: Booker, Schatz, Coons, Murphy Joint Statement on Qatar Luxury Jet Gift to Trump
  • Courtney (D-CT) 5/12/25: Ranking Member Courtney Statement on Reported Trump Plan to Use Qatari-Gifted Luxury Jet as Air Force One
  • Torres (D-NY) 5/11/25: X-post – “Air Force One will have something in common with Hamas. Paid for by Qatar.” [Inconvenient fact check  — ‘Buying Quiet’: Inside the Israeli Plan That Propped Up Hamas (New York Times 12/10/23; excerpt – “Just weeks before Hamas launched the deadly Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, the head of Mossad arrived in Doha, Qatar, for a meeting with Qatari officials. For years, the Qatari government had been sending millions of dollars a month into the Gaza Strip — money that helped prop up the Hamas government there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel not only tolerated those payments, he had encouraged them.“]
  • Garcia (D-CA) 5/11/25: X-post – “Trump cannot accept a $400 million plane from a foreign government. It’s illegal under the Constitution. And Jared Kushner should have never received $2 billion from Saudi Arabia months after leaving the White House. The Oversight Committee must agressively investigate now.“

Targeting Academia/free speech/right to protest

  • Stefanik (R-NY) 5/14/25: X-post – “Haverford’s president made it clear during the committee hearing—she still doesn’t get it. I’m proud to once again stand against antisemitism and the anti-American indoctrination festering in higher education…“
  • Stefanik (R-NY) 5/13/25: X-post – “SHAMEFUL – Columbia University quietly reinstated the administrator who resigned in disgrace after failing to recall a single antisemitic incident on campus, despite the university’s own report detailing them. More evidence that these ‘elite’ colleges are failing to address their own antisemitic rot. I will continue to hold these universities accountable.” Linked to Free Beacon article – Columbia’s Armstrong to Return From Sabbatical as CEO of Medical Center
  • Torres (D-NY) 5/12/25: X-post – “Anti-Israel extremists are pressuring a venue to cancel the performance of an Israeli singer—not because of anything he has said or done, but simply because he is an Israeli Jew. Targeting someone on the basis of national or ethnic identity is blatant bigotry. There must be zero tolerance for invidious discrimination in New York City—or anywhere in America.” [reminder from last week – Ritchie Torres calls on NYC to cancel Central Park performance by anti-Israel artist Kehlani (Jewish Insider 5/5/25)]
  • Stefanik (R-NY) 5/10/25: X-post – “Part one: I joined Mark Levin on his show Life, Liberty and Levin to discuss my continued fight against antisemitism in higher education nationwide and what it’s going to take to prevent the next generation of Marxists from dominating our classrooms with foreign dollars.“
  • Stefanik (R-NY) 5/10/25) X-post – “Part two: I joined Mark Levin on his show Life, Liberty and Levin to discuss how the Far Left Democrat leaders in Congress are refusing to hold university presidents accountable for allowing vile antisemitism to flourish on campus.“
  • Fine (R-FL) 5/8/25: X-post – “Every one of these Muslim Terror Raggies needs to be expelled and — if not a citizen — deported.” [in response to media report of protest at Columbia]

Defending Academia/free speech/right to protest

  • Welch (D-VT) 5/10/25: X-post – “Mohsen’s case isn’t about whether you agree with his political beliefs or not. It’s about whether free speech is still a fundamental right in America.“

Iran & Houthis

  • Gottheimer (D-NJ) 5/14/25: X-post – “The Houthis — a U.S.-designated terrorist group — continue to fire missiles at Israel, despite President Trump’s agreement with them. I’ve been demanding answers from President Trump on how his deal ensures the safety of our key democratic ally, Israel.”
  • Graham (R-SC) 5/14/25: X-post – “I am very sad and disappointed to hear that after all the efforts to deal with the Houthis, they are still shooting ballistic missiles at our friends in Israel. I expect Israel will respond and I will not be surprised if they hold Iran accountable — not just the Houthis. It also appears that Russia is firing ballistic missiles at Ukraine. As Ukraine agrees to a ceasefire and direct talks between leaders, Putin’s Russia plays games and shoots missiles. I appreciate President Trump trying to pursue peace on multiple fronts, however we must hold bad actors accountable when they defy these efforts.“

Syria Sanctions

Other Stuff

  • Sherman (D-CA) 5/14/25: ADL Report: Congressman Brad Sherman Named Top Target of Antisemitic Hate in the House of Representatives
  • Graham (R-SC) 5/14/25: X-post with video message – “Turkey and Israel are important allies as we try to bring peace and stability to the region.”
  • Graham (R-SC) 5/13/25: Graham Arrives in Turkey
  • Shaheen (D-NH) 5/13/25: Ranking Member Shaheen Statement on Trump Administration’s Lifting of Syria Sanctions

5. Selected Media

On Qatar’s mega-bribe (sorry,  I mean gift of love & respect) to Trump

[note: there are many, many, many articles this week on this topic; included here are just a few – barely scratching the surface]

Iran & Houthis

Free Speech/Right to Protest/Academia

Other stuff