US House Denies Republican Hardliners’ Bid, Refusing to Lift Select Sanctions

The U.S. House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, rejected a bid by hardline conservatives to end five presidential emergency declarations that permit sanctions against America’s enemies in the Middle East and Africa. Four Representatives used privileged resolutions to require votes on ending emergency declarations involving Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Libya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The resolutions were overwhelmingly rejected after concerns were raised about unfreezing assets of militia leaders, arms dealers, and accused war criminals while denying compensation to U.S. victims of terrorism. The emergency declarations date back to the presidencies of George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

Hardline conservatives, who view the emergency declarations as outdated and part of the so-called “deep state,” have been pushing for votes on controversial measures that would otherwise not be addressed on the House floor.

Colorado Representative Boebert, a key figure in this effort, stated, “Nothing gets accomplished here without force.” Members of the House Freedom Caucus have also used their political leverage to promote divisive legislation and pressure House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on spending targets.

Privileged resolutions must be voted on within two legislative days according to House rules. The hardliners have signaled that they will introduce additional resolutions to bring attention to 41 national emergency declarations, including one against Iran dating back to the 1970s, which they claim have not undergone sufficient congressional review.

Elizabeth Goitein, a senior director at the Brennan Center for Justice, stated that emergency declarations for imposing sanctions have not been used to bypass Congress. However, former President Trump’s use of a national emergency declaration to fund the U.S.-Mexico border wall was criticized for bypassing congressional opposition.

Republicans and Democrats both agree on the need to improve the national emergency system. Representative Lawler said, “While I understand my colleagues’ desire to reform the national emergency process, empowering terrorists, corrupt officials, and war criminals is not the answer.”

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Lincoln Feast)