Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, applauded the Trump administration's decision last week to lift sanctions on Syria and urged the U.S. to help advance democracy in the country. "This is a positive step that will help Syria build a stable future," she said. "As we continue to lift restrictions, it is critical that we also increase our engagement with the Syrian authorities to help advance long-term stability, democracy and a more secure and prosperous future for the Syrian people and the region.”
Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Andy Kim, D-N.J., and Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., have been appointed to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China for the 119th Congress. Last year, the commission called for imposing export controls and foreign investment restrictions to prevent China from using biotechnology to commit human rights abuses (see 2412270037).
A bipartisan group of five senators, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., reintroduced a bill May 21 that would mandate sanctions against Haitian criminal gangs and the political and economic elites who support them.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., reintroduced a bill May 22 that would repeal the 2026 sunset provision of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, which calls for sanctioning Iran’s weapons programs and support for terrorism. The proposed Solidify Iran Sanctions Act, which was referred to the Banking Committee, passed the House in early May (see 2505060054).
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., introduced a bill May 22 that would make the Defense Department’s Section 1260H List of Chinese military companies exempt from judicial review.
A bill that would sanction Russia and its supporters if Moscow rejects peace talks with Ukraine had gained the support of about 80 senators, or four-fifths of the Senate, as of May 22.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., introduced a bill May 21 aimed at making it faster and easier to sell arms to Taiwan.
The Trump administration is considering designating the Taliban a foreign terrorist organization to pressure the Afghan ruling group to be more helpful in countering terrorist entities within Afghanistan, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said May 21.
Eight Senate Democrats, including Senate Banking Committee ranking member Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urged the Trump administration May 19 to reconsider its AI deals with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, saying the agreements lack guardrails to prevent the diversion of U.S. technology to China.
House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, R-Mich., and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., urged the Trump administration May 19 to consider adding Chinese electric vehicle charging company Autel Energy to the Commerce Department’s Entity List and the Defense Department’s Section 1260H list of Chinese military companies.