Suchergebnisse

The April 2 announcement that a 'framework' agreement had been reached between Iran and the 'P5+1' group of countries drew predictable criticisms from Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his Likudnik supporters in Congress, as well as from AIPAC. The final deal is to be concluded by the end of June. After the framework agreement was announced, congressional attention turned to gaining Senate passage of S. 615, the 'Iran Nuclear Agreement Review' bill, introduced in February by Sen Bob Corker. Passage of the Corker bill would seem to put on hold the long and complicated S. 269, the 'Nuclear Weapons Free Iran' bill, introduced in January by leading Iran hawks Sens Robert Menendez and Mark Kirk. Following several unhelpful comments by Netanyahu in the days leading up to the March 17 Israeli elections, the White House announced that it is 're-evaluating' the administration's policy toward Israel and the Middle East peace process. Adapted from the source document.

Since Republicans already controlled the House, there are few changes in that body. Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) will still be majority leader, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will be minority leader. There will be a couple of changes in key committee chairs. Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY) will still chair the Appropriations Committee, with Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) as ranking Democrat; Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) will now chair the Armed Services Committee and Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) will still be the ranking Democrat, and Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) will still chair the Foreign Affairs Committee, with Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) as ranking Democrat. As expected, before adjourning the 'lame duck' session of the 113th Congress passed H.R. 83, the $1.013 trillion 'omnibus' appropriations act. The House passed it on December 11, and the Senate on December 13. It was signed by President Barack Obama on December 16, becoming P.L. 113-235. Adapted from the source document.