The House of Representatives voted 224-187 on May 16 to pass a bill that would require the Biden administration to stop holding up shipments of approved offensive weapons to Israel (see 2405130028). Proponents said the Israel Security Assistance Support Act would ensure Israel can defend itself against Hamas and other threats. However, the legislation faces an uphill fight in the Democrat-led Senate, and the White House issued a veto threat May 14 saying the bill would infringe on the president’s authority.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee on May 16 approved several bills that could impose sanctions on China, Russia and the Houthis and tighten export controls on China.
Congressional Republicans are asking the Biden administration to provide more information about its recent withholding of certain offensive weapons to Israel, a decision the lawmakers oppose.
A bipartisan group of five House members led by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., introduced a bill that would expand the list of Belarusian authorities who could face U.S. sanctions, Smith’s office announced May 15.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced a bill May 14 that would prevent the Biden administration from withholding offensive weapons from Israel if the country conducts a full-scale invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah. The legislation has 17 Republican co-sponsors. Four House Republicans unveiled a similar bill last week (see 2405130028).
A bipartisan group of 11 senators issued a joint statement May 14 criticizing the Georgian parliament’s passage of a "Russian-style foreign agents bill" and reiterating their warning that Congress may respond with sanctions and other measures.
The Bureau of Industry and Security should add several Chinese firms to its Entity List for helping China’s military and human rights violations, House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, R-Mich., said May 13.
Four Republican leaders of the House Appropriations Committee unveiled a bill May 11 that would require the Biden administration to stop holding up shipments of approved offensive weapons to Israel.
Leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said May 13 they might pursue financial sanctions and other measures against Georgia if the country’s government doesn't withdraw a “foreign agents” bill that would crack down on civil society organizations and independent media outlets.
Four House Republicans said last week they’re concerned the Biden administration is considering giving small and medium-sized businesses in Cuba access to the U.S. banking system even though such entities are generally controlled by Cuba's communist government.