Despite co-sponsoring a bill that would impose a wide range of sanctions on Russia and its supporters if Moscow refuses to reach a peace deal with Ukraine, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said Aug. 19 he is hesitant for Congress to take up the legislation when it returns from its August recess.
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., urged the Treasury Department Aug. 14 to sanction Iraq’s Al-Rafidain Bank for reportedly processing payments for the Yemen-based Houthis, which the U.S. redesignated a Foreign Terrorist Organization in March (see 2503040008). Treasury had no immediate comment on Wilson’s proposal, which he posted on X. Wilson, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, encouraged the Trump administration in May to sanction the bank for supporting Iran (see 2506040005).
The Senate “stands ready” to give President Donald Trump “any economic leverage” he needs to pressure Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Aug. 18 as Trump was planning to meet with Ukrainian and European leaders at the White House.
Seven Democratic senators led by Arizona's Ruben Gallego urged the Trump administration Aug. 18 to sanction Israeli settlers who have blocked humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza or violently attacked Palestinian civilians, including U.S. citizens, in the West Bank.
Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Greg Steube, R-Fla., introduced legislation Aug. 15 that would allow the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. to block entities connected to countries of concern from investing in new and existing facilities or businesses in the U.S.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, R-Mich., called on the Bureau of Industry and Security Aug. 14 to return China’s Institute of Forensic Science to the BIS Entity List, citing the lab’s "continual and well-documented" human rights abuses.
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Aug. 13 that the State Department’s newly released annual report on human rights highlights the Republic of Georgia’s crackdown on freedom of speech and association and underscores the need for Congress to approve a bill to sanction officials who undermine democracy in the country.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said Aug. 13 that she welcomes the Trump administration’s newly revealed plans to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization.
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Aug. 8 that he would oppose any possible weapons transfers to Azerbaijan, citing the country’s past “aggression” toward Armenia. His comment came the same day that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a peace deal as well as bilateral economic agreements with the U.S.
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., urged the Trump administration Aug. 8 to consider imposing sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against those responsible for transnational financial repression of Barlyk Mendygaziyev, a Kazakhstani businessperson based in the U.S.