FMEP Legislative Round-Up September 25, 2026

Resource

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

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast & FMEP on other podcasts/events:

1. Bills & Resolutions

(FAR-REACHING SANCTIONS ON ISRAELIS FOR E-1 CONSTRUCTION) S. 5476 [bill text]: Introduced 9/23/26 by Coons (D-DE) and 18 Democratic cosponsors (42% of Senate Democrats), “A bill to impose sanctions with respect to foreign persons that have facilitated Israeli settlement construction in the E1 area of the West Bank.” Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. This bill would require the imposition of MANDATORY, far-reaching sanctions aimed at Israeli government officials and foreign (non-U.S.) private sector actors — including banks, investors, construction/development companies, and government officials (and establish additional discretionary sanctions other parties related to their role in E1 construction). Notably: the sanctions under this bill would NOT apply to US persons — meaning dual-national Israeli-Americans are exempted, as well as non-dual national Americans who may play a role in E1 construction. Also worth noting: the bill repeatedly references “the E1 area of the West Bank” but never defines, as a matter of law, the actual area the term applies to (“E1 is NOT an internationally recognized/defined geographic area. The term E1 is, as noted by the New York Times, “a bureaucratic designation for planning and zoning purposes, with the ‘E’ standing for ‘east of Jerusalem.’”).

Also see:

(IRAN WAR POWERS) H. Con. Res. 89: Introduced 4/23/36 by Jayapal (D-WA) and having 16 cosponsors, “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.” passed 7/23/26 by a vote of 214 – 208. Failed in the Senate 9/24/26 by a vote of 49-50. Four Republicans voted YES [Collins (R-ME), Murkowski (R-AK), Paul (R-KY), and Tillis (R-NC)]; Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to vote NO (and one Democrat did not vote). Also see: Senate narrowly rejects Iran war powers resolution, as Tillis joins Democrats to oppose war (Jewish Insider 9/24/26)

(DISAPPROVING OF MILITARY SALES TO SAUDI ARABIA) S. J. Res. 217: Introduced 9/24/26 by Paul (R-KY), “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of certain defense articles and services.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)

(REIMBURSE TAX PAYERS FOR IRAN WAR COSTS!) HR 10498: Introduced 9/17/26 by Khanna (D-CA) and 4 cosponsors (all Democrats), “To provide payments to United States taxpayers and dependents to compensate for the costs of the Iran war, and for other purposes,” aka the “Illegal War Refund Act.”  Referred to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Appropriations. Also see: press release – Rep. Khanna Introduces the Illegal War Refund Act

Reporting/posts on previously-introduced legislation:

2. Letters & Reports

3. Hearings & Markups

None.

4. Selected Members on the Record

Israel/AIPAC in US Elex & politics 

  • Tlaib (D-MI) 9/24/26: X-post – “Netanyahu is the architect of the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. He is a war criminal and a fugitive charged by the ICC. He can, and must, be arrested and prosecuted for crimes against humanity.”
  • Green (D-TX) 9/24/26: X-post – “IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Jerusalem Post article below, titled “World leaders put Israel at center of UN General Assembly as criticism mounts,” speaks for itself. You can access the article by clicking the link here:” Linked to article here“
  • Tenney (R-NY) 9/24/26: X-post – “Under Hamas, women are treated as property, subject to heinous violence, and forced to marry their rapists. The UN reports these horrors, then blames Israel and condemns Israel’s fight against the terrorists who allow these horrors. SHAMEFUL.” [citing as evidence a New York Post 9/23/26 article – Women in Gaza are being traded for food, forced to marry their rapists: UN]
  • Lawler (R-NY) 9/24/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. It is a beacon of hope, opportunity, and freedom. The fact is they have sought to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran.”
  • Fine (R-FL) 9/24/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Iran slaughtered 40,000 of its own people — silence. Israel defends itself from terrorists — they lose their minds. America and Israel are fighting to save Western civilization and I will never stop saying it.”
  • Rogers (R-MI) 9/24/26: X-post – “Abdul El-Sayed is looking a young man in the eyes and can’t even condemn a terrorist dictator murdering thousands of his own people. Pathetic.” Commenting on post w/ video clip from Drop Site 9/24/26: “Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed responds to a visibly upset Iranian-American student at the University of Michigan, telling him that U.S. military interventions, sanctions, and regime-change wars often advance corporate interests and harm civilians, rather than promote” [in which El-Sayed makes clear he supports democracy movements everywhere but refuses to be cornered into endorsing a US policy of regime change in Iran or anywhere]. Social media sleuths quickly found evidence of the student’s political views (see here and here, here, and here), and the student has since gone on Fox News to make his case against El-Sayed and to attack Americans who are supporting him as pro-IRGC extremists – watch and judge his motivations for yourself.
  • Wilson (R-SC) 9/24/26: X-post – “If the ICJ were to vote to lower the genocide threshold—opening the floodgates to frivolous genocide claims against our brave men and women in uniform—they may face the same fate as the ICC!”
  • Van Hollen (D-MD) 9/22/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Prime Minister Netanyahu’s lies about @NYCMayor don’t change the fact that Netanyahu is a wanted war criminal who has blocked justice for Americans killed on his watch. If there’s anyone who should be shamed & ashamed, it’s him. He’s lucky he was even allowed into our country.”
  • Fine (R-FL) 9/22/26: X-post – “Try this in Florida, and you go to prison for five years. Proud to have sponsored the bill to make that happen. Muslim terror is not welcome here.” Commenting on a wholly misleading thread purporting to report on pro-Palestine protesters blocking access to a synagogue service on Yom Kippur in Toronto. In fact, they protesters are protesting in front of a public performing arts center (not a synagogue), and the protest is over an appearance of a senior Israeli government official (Mark Regev) for a speaking event (not a religious service). For more see here and here (for example).
  • Cruz (R-TX) 9/21/26: X-post – “.@Politico put out a BS article today attacking my friend @davidamilstein who works in the US Embassy in Jerusalem.David was a staffer for many years in my office in the Senate, and he now works for the great @GovMikeHuckabee His step-father is the one-and-only @marklevinshow David has served America in both Trump administrations. He is serious, hardworking, and committed, and he is one of the most effective officials advancing President Trump’s America First policy in the Middle East. I’ve known him for a decade, and he has my full support. Meanwhile, Politico has repeatedly published antisemitic dual loyalty conspiracy theories about American Jews serving in the Trump administration, with implicit insinuations and explicit quotes about getting them fired. They are part of a broader antisemitic campaign on both the left and right aimed at excluding American Jews from public life. Their reporters and editors use anonymous and often single sources to promote these antisemitic attacks. It’s garbage. They put this hit piece out on the last day of Yom Kippur, and right before his wedding. Everyone involved should be ashamed.”
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 9/21/26: X-post – “To those in Israel who broke their fast and to all Jewish communities across the world: I’m wishing you a very peaceful and reflective Yom Kippur. May this year be profound. Always proud to stand with you.” [NOTE: PA has a Jewish population of around 350,000 — but Fetterman offers his Yom Kippur thoughts to Israelis first, Jews “across” the world second, and his own constituents not at all]
  • Van Hollen (D-MD) 9/21/26: X-post – “If European countries & other signatories to the International Criminal Court have any self-respect, they’d sanction Rubio & Trump for obstructing investigations of Netanyahu’s war crimes.”
  • Sherman (D-CA) 9/18/26: X-thread – “Every Israeli official and voter should watch this clip, and it needs to be translated into Hebrew. Yesterday, I spoke with the Israeli Ambassador. I don’t think he or the majority of Israelis realize what is at stake. It’s not just $3.8 billion of traditional annual aid. It’s access to U.S. weapons and diplomatic support. Israel has been unwilling to take even a few steps to improve its image around the world. They don’t fund their foreign ministry. Ben-Gvir in the cabinet poses an existential threat. Israel cannot survive with no friends in the world. The anti-Israel sentiment found in much of the world and many parts of the American political system may be unjustified. I hear from Israelis that their actions are justified, and since they’re in the right, they have no problem. That shows an ignorance of Jewish history. Settler violence will continue until the relevant ministries are held by people who are really opposed to settler violence. The polling numbers that CNN reports will just get worse as long as settler violence continues.”
  • Wilson (R-SC) 9/18/26: X-post – “Genocide has a clear and determinable standard. It must not be changed for the purpose of targeting Israel.” Commenting on Wall Street Journal editorial 9/11/26 – Will Another Global Court Ruin Itself? If the International Court of Justice lowers the threshold for genocide to smear Israel, it will backfire.

Support for US-born/raised Israeli Ambassador to the US After His [American citizen] Son Was Critically Wounded in the West Bank While Serving in the IDF [reminder: in contrast to international law,  Israel (and many in Congress) define any attack against any Israeli as “terrorism,” even if that Israeli is in military uniform, carrying a military-issued weapon, and acting in an explicitly military capacity at the time of the attack]

  • Sessions (R-TX) 9/24/26: X-post – “Horrible news following yesterday’s terror attack. My prayers are with Neria Leiter, Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and their entire family during this difficult time. May God be with them.”
  • Hagerty (R-TN) 9/24/26: X-post – “Chrissy and I are praying for Neria’s full recovery and for Israeli Ambassador @yechielleiter and his family.”
  • Diaz-Balart (R-FL) 9/23/26: X-post – “My prayers are with Ambassador @yechielleiter and his family during this incredibly difficult moment, as his son Neria, an American citizen, fights for his life after a horrific terrorist attack. The heroes of the IDF put their lives on the line every day to confront murderous terrorists and defend Israel. Terrorists cannot be allowed to attack with impunity. We stand with Neria, his family, and the people of Israel.” 
  • Budd (R-NC) 9/23/26: X-post – “Absolutely horrible news following today’s terror attack. Amy Kate and I are praying for a miracle for Neria and for peace for the entire Leiter family in this difficult time.”
  • Stefanik (R-NY) 9/23/26: X-post – “We are deeply praying for Neria and Ambassador @yechielleiter and his family after Neria was critically wounded by a Hamas terrorist attack. The Leiter family has already unimaginably sacrificed so much in pursuit of defeating evil and saving Western Civilization.” [emphasis added]
  • Salazar (R-FL) 9/23/26: X-post – “Ambassador @yechielleiter is a personal friend and an outstanding human being who has served Israel above and beyond the call of duty. The Lord of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is upon him as his son Neria fights for his life after a horrific terrorist attack. We know our God is Almighty. We hold on to faith and the power of prayer as HIS merciful hand makes a healing miracle.”
  • Fetterman (D-PA) 9/23/26: X-post – “As a father, I can’t imagine this uncertainty and pain. @yechielleiter, my family and I send our deepest sympathies to you and your family. May your son have a quick and full recovery.”

Opposing More Weapons/Aid for Israel

  • Khanna (D-CA) 9/21/26: X-post w/ video clip – “Our government is giving $2.8 billon in bombs to Israel. How about giving that money to the American people so they can afford food and gas? I’m tired of this Israel first policy. It’s time to put Americans first.”
  • Doggett (D-TX) 9/21/26: X-post – “The use of these huge bombs in areas crowded with civilians has led to the deaths of thousands of innocents. Trump talks peace while supplying Netanyahu with the weapons that could kill thousands more.”
  • Sanders (I-VT) 9/18/26: X-post – “Not only did Netanyahu commit genocide in Gaza. Now he’s threatening Israeli filmmakers who exposed it with criminal charges and attempting to strip citizenship from anyone who ‘defames’ soldiers. NO MORE U.S. TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR THE EXTREMIST NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT IN ISRAEL”
  • DeLauro (D-CT) 9/17/26: DeLauro Opposes Bomb Sales to Israel
  • Welch (D-VT) 9/16/26: X-post – “Just a few days ago, a clearly marked Doctors Without Borders bus was struck by an Israeli military airstrike. Now, President Trump has approved sending 40,000 one-ton bombs to Prime Minister Netanyahu. The U.S. can’t continue to supply weapons being used to commit war crimes.”

Concern for Palestinian Lives/Rights [including Amcit Palestinians]

  • Baldwin (D-WI) 9/24/26: X-post – “Salah Sarsour has been here legally for 30 years, has no U.S. criminal record, and is an upstanding member of our community – but this is who ICE targeted for deportation. That is simply wrong, and this administration’s priorities are backwards. The administration should end its efforts to deport Salah immediately.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 9/22/26: X-post – “Free Naqaa Hamed. The Israeli apartheid regime is wrongfully detaining another U.S. citizen while our government does nothing to protect her. Naqaa is a journalist, who—like the hundreds of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza and the nearly 40 others in Israeli detention—was targeted for exposing the truth.”
  • Ramirez (D-IL) 9/21/26: X-post – “Two year ago, we lost a beloved child and a precious light when Wadee Alfayoumi was murdered. He was the victim of an Anti-Palestinian hate crime instigated by dehumanizing rhetoric. Today, as bigotry and hate continue to put our loved ones at risk, we can choose humanity and unity over dehumanization and death. We can choose to build a future of true safety and new opportunities. In Wadee’s honor, let us affirm that all children are our children, uplift our shared humanity, and create a world of peace without fear of violence.”
  • Van Hollen (D-MD) 9/19/26: X-post – “Violence is raging in the West Bank, fueled by Israeli settlers & the extreme Netanyahu govt. America cannot sit idly by, especially as our own citizens are killed and wrongfully detained with no accountability. This week I led 22 Senators in introducing legislation that will require the admin to answer for its inaction. We’ll be bringing it to a vote.”

Islamophobia

  • Self (R-TX) 9/24/26: X-post – “BREAKING: The Sharia-Free America Caucus has reached 70 members! In less than a year, our caucus has grown to include members from 25 states. We will continue exposing the dangers of Sharia law and defending the Constitution as the law of the land.”
  • Weber (R-TX) 9/22/26: X-post – “America is the land of opportunity. It is not a safe haven for people who come here and support terrorist organizations. If you choose terrorism over patriotism, you’ve made your choice. Pack your bags. You’re going HOME.” NOTE: the post is a comment on a 9/21/26 post from an account with the tag line “WE’RE THE Q…”, accompanied by a video on which the account has commented – “A Chinese grad student at UCLA who has been leading pro Hamas rallies on campus has been arrested. Liu Lijun’s student VISA has been cancelled. Guess she’s going back to China.“ A Community Note points out: “The video shows a May 2024 UCLA protest arrest, not a recent event. No evidence supports claims identifying the woman as Chinese grad student Liu Lijun or that her visa was cancelled; ICE stated it has nothing to support such claims and the person was misidentified.”
  • Fallon (R-TX) 9/22/26: X-post – “The unholy Red-Green alliance between the left and radical Islam is a lifeline for terrorist groups across the globe. Intersectionality” is, at its core, a means for western lefties to excuse and justify atrocities committed by terrorist groups like Hamas and Al-Qaeda.”

Yemen & Saudi Arabia

  • Wilson (R-SC) 9/23/26: X-post – “Grateful to meet Yemeni Vice President
    @ALalimiBawzer, Foreign Minister Afrah Zouba and @AmbJamilaRajaa The fight against the Houthis and Iranian regime are one and the same. It is essential to support the Yemeni government in their fight against Iranian puppets to reclaim their country starting with securing the Bab al Mandeb strait where over ten percent of world commerce runs through. We discussed my bill to Free Yemen from Iran by providing security assistance to Yemeni forces. FREE YEMEN FROM IRAN”
  • Hamadeh (R-AZ) 9/22/26: X-post – “A Houthi deal that protects American and Israeli ships while leaving Saudi Arabia exposed is a wedge, not peace. The Houthis must lose. Our partners must win. It’s that simple.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​“
  • House Foreign Affairs Committee (Democrats) 9/21/26: Meeks Meets Yemen Delegation on Sidelines of UN General Assembly
  • HFAC Dems 9/21/26: X-post w/ pix – “Ranking Member @RepGregoryMeeks met with Dr. Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazir, member of the Presidential Leadership Council; Ambassador Jamila Ali Raja, Ambassador to the United States; and other Republic of Yemen officials on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. Ranking Member Meeks expressed concern over attacks by Houthi militants in Yemen and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and with rising tensions in the region amid the ongoing war in Iran. The leaders discussed how the United States Congress can support Yemen’s government against the Houthis, including through security and humanitarian assistance, and they agreed on the need for revitalized dialogue and diplomacy among the governments of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United States to reduce tensions and find a durable solution to the conflict. Ranking Member Meeks reiterated that only a comprehensive political settlement can fully address Yemen’s multi-faceted conflict.”
  • Wilson (R-SC) 9/19/26: X-post – “FREE YEMEN FROM IRAN”
  • Markey (D-MA) 9/17/26: X-post – “No bombs for Saudi Arabia. No nukes for Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is a known violator of human rights and an instigator for the crisis in Yemen. I introduced a joint resolution of disapproval to stop Trump’s sale of 10,000 bombs to the Saudis.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 9/17/26: X-post – “With U.S. support, Saudi Arabia has bombed, blockaded, and starved the people of Yemen for over a decade. Now the Trump admin is giving them $5 billion in arms, including 2,000-pound bombs that kill indiscriminately. Enough. Let Yemen live. The Senate must block this sale.”

Syria

  • Wilson (R-SC) 9/23/26: X-post – “Grateful to be with Syrian President @AH_AlSharaa on the sidelines of UNGA. After 54 years of Ba’athist socialist dictatorship under the brutal Assad crime family, Syria is reclaiming its place in the world and is a valued partner of the U.S.”
  • Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Democrats) 9/22/26: READOUT: Ranking Member Shaheen’s Meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa
  • House Foreign Affairs Committee (Democrats) 9/22/26: READOUT: Meeks Meets with President Ahmed al-Sharaa
  • Wilson (R-SC) 9/18/26: X-post – “I am disappointed that almost a month since President Trump ended Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, @BISGov still has not removed export controls on Syria. Syria continues to be placed in country list E, the only country in this group that is not a state sponsor of terrorism, hurting American companies and jobs which want to invest in Syria. Hopeful that updated guidance can come out of @BISGov soon implementing Pres Trump’s vision to give Syria a chance!”

Iran

  • Elfreth (D-MD) 9/24/26: X-post – “We have now lost 22 brave American servicemembers in the Middle East during President Trump’s war in Iran. My deepest condolences are with their loved ones and families who are grappling with this unimaginable loss. It also shouldn’t have to be said that we deserve a Pentagon that is forthright with the American people. I fully support legislation to prevent the DoD from manipulating government data on troop casualties. It is a bare minimum standard of transparency after losing American lives.”
  • Sanders (I-VT) 9/22/26: X-post – “No, Mr. President. We should not ‘annihilate’ the people of Iran. That is a war crime. That is barbarism. And it is something the United States must never be associated with. Let’s be clear: Trump’s war in Iran is illegal and unconstitutional. Congress must end it NOW.”
  • Kim (D-NJ) 9/22/26: X-post – “The so called ‘peace president’ threatening annihilation of a country of 100 million people. Trump never misses a chance to humiliate himself in front of the world. His war in Iran is a complete failure, and the American people are paying the price. We need to end it.”
  • Ramirez (D-IL) 9/22/26: X-post – “Trump dragged us into an endless war thinking he would profit from it. Now that is costing him his popularity, he is talking about genocide. He is a warmonger. He can’t trusted. Congress must reclaim our authority and hold the administration accountable!”

Other stuff

5. Selected Media

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – GENERAL

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Connecticut

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Pennsylvania

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Other stuff