WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Roger Marshall (R-Miss.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced the Dismantle Iran’s Proxy Act which would rightfully designate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). This FTO designation would result in severe consequences like asset freezes and criminal penalties for any person, state, or organization materially supporting the Houthis.
“After launching nearly daily attacks against American vessels in the Red Sea and Israel, the Houthis have ground international shipping to a standstill. This bill will restore President Trump’s historic decision to designate the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization and impose real costs that will force them to take notice,” said Senator Risch. “Under this administration, the United States will return to President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran and safeguard American national security.”
“The Houthis are a barbaric gang of outlaws that kidnap, torture, and murder American citizens. We should re-designate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and put real pressure on Iran and its terrorist proxies,” said Senator Cotton.
“Re-designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization is long overdue. Since the tragic events of October 7, 2023, the Houthis have worked alongside other Iranian proxies to attack our ally Israel and destabilize the region,” said Senator Collins. “Thanks to the brave efforts of U.S. forces—many operating from Bath-built destroyers—and our allies, attempts by the Houthis to undermine international commerce have been thwarted. This legislation would help ensure that these vital efforts to safeguard our national security continue, and that the Houthis are held accountable for their terrorist actions.”
“The Biden Administration’s decision to revoke the Houthis’ terrorist designation proved to be a massive – and obvious – miscalculation. The Houthis’ slogan is ‘Death to America, Death to Israel, and Curse on the Jews.’ You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out they are terrorists,” said Senator Graham. “I am very supportive of Chairman Risch’s proposal that restores President Trump’s decision to designate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization. It’s a rightfully earned designation.”
“With the full backing of Iran’s terrorist regime, the Houthis have waged attack after attack on the United States and our allies. The United States resolutely stands with Israel, and re-designating this group as a foreign terrorist organization will allow the Trump Administration to bring the full force of sanctions against the organization for its barbaric behaviors and help to restore peace in the Middle East,” said Senator Crapo.
“Over the last year, the Iran-backed Houthis have attacked global shipping and fired missiles at U.S. personnel and at our ally Israel, demonstrating that the Trump Administration was correct to designate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization,” said Senator Hagerty. “The Biden Administration’s delisting of the Houthis was unconscionable, and I am pleased to join this bill that takes the long overdue step of re-designating the Houthis as an FTO.”
Senator Rick Scott said, “Iran-backed Houthis are intentionally causing chaos in the Red Sea, attacking American ships and our ally, Israel. The United States must do everything it can to hold Iran accountable and designate the Houthis as the terrorists they are, just like President Trump did before. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Dismantling Iran Proxy Act and look forward to its quick passage.”
“This week, President Trump secured the release of innocent civilians, including seven Americans, who have been wrongfully held hostage by Hamas terrorists, and brokered a peaceful ceasefire in the Middle East. Since Hamas' barbaric attacks on October 7th, the Houthis, in coordination with Hamas and their backer, Iran, have escalated assaults on Israel and chanted 'Death to America.’ To protect our allies and our national security, we must redesignate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and dismantle Iran's proxy network,” said Senator Marshall.
“If the U.S. is serious about having Israel’s back, then the designation of the Houthis is a must. They are a foreign terrorist organization,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We must stand with one of our greatest friends and allies in the Middle East.”
“The Houthis’ dangerous, destabilizing attacks in the Red Sea continue to threaten American forces, our allies and interests while also disrupting international trade,” said Senator Boozman. “President Trump’s landmark designation of these Iranian proxies as a foreign terrorist organization – effectively freezing their financial assets and introducing criminal penalties for their acts of aggression – was appropriate and I’m pleased to join my colleagues to restore it with the force of law.”
“The Houthis are a terrorist organization the Biden Administration has treated with kid gloves. The Dismantling Iran’s Proxy Act fixes President Biden’s errors while restoring a designation President Trump instituted years ago. America must hold terrorists accountable and unleash severe consequences for their barbaric actions. It’s critical America dismantle Iran’s most capable proxy before they impose more harm on the world,” said Senator Britt.
The Dismantle Iran’s Proxy Act will:
Text of the Dismantle Iran’s Proxy Act can be found here.
Background:
In January 2021, President Trump designated the Houthis a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). After taking office, President Biden revoked the FTO designation while simultaneously freezing offensive arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
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