House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Rep. John James, R-Mich., introduced a bill to expedite congressional reviews of arms sales to Middle Eastern and North African allies and partners that work to normalize relations with Israel and counter Iran and its proxies, the lawmakers announced March 13. The proposed Enhance Cooperation Against Terrorism Act would also require the State Department to develop recommendations to expedite the delivery of defense articles and services to the region.

Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, said March 12 that he's drafting a “tough sanctions bill” to help reduce U.S. reliance on Russian state-owned company Rosatom for nuclear fuel.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., announced March 12 that he has introduced a bill to incentivize the Office of Foreign Assets Control to increase its sanctions enforcement. The bill is needed because “as of recently, OFAC has not been as aggressive in sanctions enforcement as it should be,” the announcement says.

Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, introduced a bill March 11 that would impose financial sanctions on Chinese companies, government entities and individuals who engage in a “pattern of significant theft” of U.S. intellectual property. Curtis’ proposed ‘‘Combatting China’s Pilfering of Intellectual Property Act,’’ or ‘‘CCP IP Act,’’ was referred to the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees.

Four House Republican Cuban-Americans urged the Biden administration March 8 to retain Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, saying the label and its accompanying sanctions remain warranted.

A bill to ban TikTok in the U.S. if China’s ByteDance doesn’t divest the popular social media app will head to the full House of Representatives for consideration this week, said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 50-0 on March 7 to approve a bill that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if China’s ByteDance doesn't divest the popular social media application.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin, D-Md., said March 7 that his panel could soon consider several bills, including Iran sanctions legislation.

Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., reintroduced a bill to impose sanctions on foreign entities and governments that provide financial or material support to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or affiliates of the terrorist groups, Rubio’s office announced March 5. The proposed “Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2024” was reintroduced to incorporate language tweaks and the addition of a Democratic co-lead, a Rubio spokesperson said. The House passed similar legislation in November (see 2311020030).

A leading Senate critic of TikTok said March 6 that he has reservations about a new House bill that would ban the popular social media application in the U.S. if China’s ByteDance doesn't divest the platform.