Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB3192

Introduced
11/1/23  

Caption

Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act

Impact

Upon designation as an FTO, the bill requires the President to impose specific sanctions against Ansarallah and any affiliated people or entities within a similar 90-day timeframe. These sanctions are designed to block property ownership and prohibit transactions with those identified as supporting terrorism. This formal designation aligns with previous U.S. efforts under the Trump administration to respond to Ansarallah's military aggressions, which have been linked to broader concerns over Iranian influence in the region and its implications for U.S. foreign policy.

Summary

SB3192, also known as the Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act, aims to designate Ansarallah, a group engaged in violent acts against Yemen and Saudi Arabia, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The bill mandates that the Secretary of State formally make this designation within 90 days of enactment. It emphasizes the U.S. government's stand against acts of terrorism supported by foreign entities, specifically citing the group's ties to Iran and its previous military actions against targets in Saudi Arabia. The intent is to bolster national security measures by formally categorizing Ansarallah in this manner for international recognition.

Contention

There have been notable points of contention surrounding the previous designation of Ansarallah as a terrorist organization. Critics of the Trump administration's policy strongly emphasized the humanitarian implications, arguing that such a designation could exacerbate the ongoing conflict in Yemen and further adversely affect civilians already in precarious situations. With this bill, the debate reopens over how best to balance national security interests with humanitarian considerations, particularly in how sanctions might impact relief efforts and essential services within Yemen.

Companion Bills

US HB6046

Related Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act

Similar Bills

US SB159

Standing Against Houthi Aggression ActThis bill requires (1) the Department of State to designate Ansarallah, the Iran-backed movement in Yemen also known as the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization; and (2) the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and any foreign person who is a member, agent, or affiliate of, or owned or controlled by, Ansarallah.

US SB145

Dismantle Iran’s Proxy Act of 2025This bill requires the President to take actions against Ansarallah, the Iran-backed movement in Yemen also known as the Houthis.Specifically, the bill requires the President to designate Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization. (Among other things, such a designation allows the Department of the Treasury to require U.S. financial institutions to block transactions involving the organization.)  The President must also (1) impose property blocking sanctions on Ansarallah and any foreign person who is an official, agent, or affiliate of the organization; (2) submit to Congress a determination as to whether three specified individuals are officials, agents, or affiliates of Ansarallah; and (3) submit to Congress a strategy to degrade the offensive capabilities of Ansarallah and to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and nearby waterways.

US HB6046

Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act

US SB3347

A bill to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism.

US HB1250

To require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism.

US SB70

A bill to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism.

US HR1149

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6323) to modify the availability of certain waiver authorities with respect to sanctions imposed with respect to the financial sector of Iran, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1143) condemning Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4691) to provide for congressional review of actions to terminate or waive sanctions imposed with respect to Iran; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5947) to provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6046) to designate Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization and impose certain sanctions on Ansarallah, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4639) to amend section 2702 of title 18, United States Code, to prevent law enforcement and intelligence agencies from obtaining subscriber or customer records in exchange for anything of value, to address communications and records in the possession of intermediary internet service providers, and for other purposes.

US HB7358

No Carveouts for Terrorists Act