12/03/2025

 

Samuel Clifford

 

H.R. 5490 (Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Jefferson Shreve [R-IN-6]

 

Purpose: This bill establishes an interagency Task Force dedicated to dismantling and shutting down transnational criminal syndicates. It targets groups that perpetuate mass online scam operations against Americans, including “pig-butchering” scams (fraud schemes involving fake investment opportunities).

 

Effect: This bill has the potential to protect American consumers by reducing billions of dollars in losses from online scams due to enhanced intelligence-sharing between agencies to track scam syndicates operating abroad. It authorizes sanctions and law enforcement actions against individuals, entities, and foreign governments that enable or profit from these scams. 

 

Bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5490

 

*Unanimously Voted Favorably*

 

H.R. 6297 (The PEACE ACT)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL-6)

 

Purpose: This bill ensures that the U.S. government closely monitors and reports on antisemitism in Europe. The Department of State, specifically the Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, must provide detailed briefings to Congress assessing the scope and severity of antisemitism in European countries and evaluating links between antisemitism and international terrorism.

 

Effect: The assessments provide lawmakers with regular, structured updates on antisemitism trends in Europe, ensuring the issue remains a priority in U.S. foreign policy. With this information the U.S. can press European allies to take stronger measures against antisemitic crime and extremism.

 

Bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6297

 

*Unanimously Voted Favorably*

 

H.R. 4291 (Sanctions List Harmonization Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL-6)

 

Purpose: This bill seeks to streamline and harmonize the use of sanctions lists maintained by different federal agencies. When an individual or entity is added to one sanctions list, officials must review whether they should also be added to other lists.

 

Effect: Within 30 days of adding someone to a sanctions list, the responsible agency must notify other relevant federal officials. Agencies must then determine if the sanctioned party should also be included on additional lists, preventing gaps in enforcement. This creates a more consistent and comprehensive sanctions regime. It also reduces the risk of sanctioned individuals exploiting differences between agency lists and strengthens U.S. national security by ensuring uniform application of sanctions across Treasury, Commerce, Defense, and other departments.

 

Bill: 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4291

 

*Unanimously Voted Favorably*

 

H.R. 1848 (Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Issa Darrell (R-CA-48)

 

Purpose: This bill seeks to hold the Houthi terrorist organization accountable for human rights abuses in Yemen. It authorizes sanctions against individuals/entities tied to the Houthis. It also will restrict immigration privileges (visa bans, inadmissibility) for those involved in abuses. Furthermore, it requires reporting on Houthi indoctrination and human rights violations.

 

Effect: This bill will freeze assets and prohibits U.S. persons from transactions with designated Houthis. It blocks entry, revokes visas, and denies parole to identified individuals.

It also strengthens U.S. leverage in Yemen and signals consequences for abuses.

 

Bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1848

 

*Unanimously Voted Favorably*

 

H.R. 6347 (To reauthorize the Global Child Thrive Act of 2020, and for other purposes;)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Joaquin Castro [D‑TX‑20]

 

Purpose: This bill seeks to reauthorize the Global Child Thrive Act of 2020, which integrated early childhood development into U.S. foreign assistance programs, and ensure that U.S. international development strategies continue to prioritize health, nutrition, education, and protection for vulnerable children, including orphans and those affected by conflict or poverty.

 

Effect: It extends funding and authority for programs created under the 2020 Act, preventing lapses in child development initiatives. By doing this, it enhances U.S. soft power by demonstrating leadership in humanitarian and child-focused development efforts.

 

Bill:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr6347ih/pdf/BILLS-119hr6347ih.pdf

 

*Voted Favorably 44-5 with strong bipartisanship*

 

H.R. 5021 (American Decade of Sports Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37)

 

Purpose: This bill requires the Department of State to create a comprehensive sports diplomacy strategy. It should upcoming global sporting events in the U.S. (2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Summer Olympics, 2031 Rugby World Cup, 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, 2034 Winter Olympics, etc.) as platforms for international engagement. 

 

Effect: This should strengthen U.S. soft power by showcasing American values, diversity, and leadership through sports and promote collaboration with local host cities, diaspora communities, athletes, NGOs, and civil so

 

Bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5021

 

*Voted Favorably 46-3 with strong bipartisanship

 

H.R. 4413 (End the Cyprus Embargo Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH-1)

 

Purpose: This bill provides for the nonapplicability of the policy of denial for exports, re-exports, or transfers of defense articles and services destined for or originating in Cyprus. Under U.S. law, certain countries are subject to restrictions on receiving defense articles and services (weapons, military equipment, training, etc.). For Cyprus, there has historically been a policy of denial: by default, the U.S. would deny export licenses for defense-related items going to or coming from Cyprus. This policy was part of the arms embargo imposed in 1987, intended to reduce tensions between Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece. “Nonapplicability” of the policy of denial means the embargo rules no longer automatically block these transactions

 

Effect: Instead of being denied outright, requests for exports, re-exports, or transfers of defense articles/services involving Cyprus can now be considered and approved under normal U.S. arms export procedures. This would deepen military and security ties between the U.S. and Cyprus, building on recent progress in joint training and intelligence sharing. Ending the embargo reflects U.S. recognition of Cyprus’s role as a reliable partner, moving beyond Cold War-era restrictions first imposed in 1987.

 

Bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4413

 

*Voted Favorably 47-2 with strong bipartisanship*

 

H.R. 6230 (Tehran Incitement to Violence Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Keith Self (R-TX-3)

 

Purpose: This bill is a response to fatwas and public statements by hardline Iranian religious figures advocating for the deaths of U.S. and allied leaders.

It directs the Administration to formally assess whether these clerics meet criteria for designation as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under U.S. law. 

 

Effect: By treating incitement to violence as terrorism support, the bill aims to delegitimize clerics who use religious authority to encourage attacks. If designated, targeted clerics would face asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on financial transactions. Their designation as SDGTs stigmatizes individuals globally, limiting their ability to interact with foreign governments, banks, or institutions.

 

Bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6230

 

*47 Voted Favorably, 2 Committee Members, Castro and Jayapal, voted to abstain*

 

H.R. 4397 (Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-26)

 

Purpose: This bill directs the U.S. State Department to determine whether the Muslim Brotherhood meets criteria to be designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It seeks to formally recognize the Muslim Brotherhood’s role in promoting or supporting terrorism worldwide.

 

Effect: If designated, the Muslim Brotherhood would face:

 

• Asset freezes in the U.S.

• Criminal penalties for providing material support.

• Visa bans and deportation for members or affiliates.

 

Bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4397

 

*Voted Favorably with some democrats joining republicans in voting it favorably 35-14*

 

H.R. 6338 (To require the imposition of sanctions with respect to foreign persons and foreign vessels that engage in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and for other purposes.)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-5)

 

Purpose: This bill will require the U.S. government to impose sanctions on foreign individuals and vessels engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. It seeks to address overfishing and environmental damage caused by unregulated exploitation of marine resources. 

 

Effect: Foreign persons and vessels identified as engaging in illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing would face asset freezes, denial of port entry, and restrictions on financial transactions. It creates strong disincentives for foreign fleets to engage in illegal fishing practices and helps protect the economic and environmental interests of U.S. partners, especially in regions vulnerable to overfishing (e.g., West Africa, Pacific Islands).

 

Bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6338

 

*Voted Favorably 47-2 showing bipartisanship*

 

Link to Meeting:

 

https://www.youtube.com/live/hSPwsycF_aU?si=Vr0-Os8nxKzbmSH8

 

https://www.youtube.com/live/rRzgUP_sx9Q?si=dEP65QJ8S02QjYJg