1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Briefings
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New from FMEP:

• New episode of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts podcast, The Urgency of Telling Palestinian Stories, ft. FMEP fellow Hilary Rantisi in conversation with author & architect Suad Amiry and film & TV director/actor/producer Cherien Dabis. They discuss Cherien’s latest film, All That’s Left of You, an intergenerational story that goes back to the 1948 Nakba and arrives at the present and premiered at Sundance in early 2025. They talk about one of Suad’s most famous books, Sharon and My Mother-in-Law, about life under Israeli occupation on the West Bank, and its upcoming adaptation to the screen, which Cherien will direct. Along the way, they discuss the effect of humor in storytelling, the role of diaspora Palestinians and relationship to the broader Palestinian collective, and the urgency of telling Palestinian stories.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

War Powers Act

(NO US ARMED FORCES INVOLVEMENT IN IRAN WAR) S. J. Res. 59: Introduced 6/16/25 by Kaine (D-VA), “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.”  Defeated 6/27/25 by a roll call vote of 47-53 [a party-line vote except for Paul (R-KY) voting “yes” and Fetterman (D-PA) voting “no”]. See members’ websites for statements. Also see: floor statements/discussion.

Re: Iran, Iran-Israel, & Trump

(BUNKER BUSTERS FOR ISRAEL!) HR XXXX [bill text]: On 7/2/25, Rep. Gottheimer (D-NJ) issued a press release: Gottheimer, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Bunker Buster Act to Equip Israel Against Iran’s Continued Nuclear Threat, Strengthen U.S. National Security. The press release notes that this is “legislation that authorizes the president to support Israel’s defense by providing the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), or ‘bunker buster’ bomb, and the aircraft required to deploy it — to take out Iran’s underground nuclear infrastructure” and argues that “Equipping Israel with this capability directly strengthens American national security by eliminating Iran’s pathway to a nuclear weapon.” Gottheimer also posted on X – “Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terror and is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans. As Iran rebuilds its nuclear program, we must maintain maximum deterrence. My bipartisan Bunker Buster Act will give Israel the tools she needs to deter Iranian aggression and take out their underground nuclear sites — strengthening U.S. national security.” Also see:

• This legislation was previously introduced by Gottheimer and Lawler (R-NY) in 2002 (HR 7148) and 2024 (HR 9206). Press releases: 2024 – Gottheimer, Mast Announce Bipartisan Bunker Buster Act to Combat Iranian Threats, Protect Key Ally Israel; 2022 – Gottheimer, Mast Introduce the Bipartisan Bunker Buster Bill to Combat Iranian Threats, Protect Key Ally Israel.
• 2025 Media: US ready to arm Israel with bunker-busting bombs if Iran goes nuclear (New Y0rk Post 7/2/25); Trump could arm Israel with US B-2s and bunker busters if Iran tries to go nuclear under new proposal (Fox News 7/2/25); Gottheimer, Lawler push to provide Israel with bunker busters after U.S. strikes (Jewish Insider 7/2/25); Bill in US Congress would give Israel access to B‑2 stealth bombers (YNet 7/2/25)