Foreign Policy

Senate Republicans warned the Obama administration on Monday that it appears to be violating U.S. law on the admissibility of immigrants by failing to assess how likely these individuals will require government assistance such as food stamps.

Sens. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) said they recently became aware that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging enrollment of Mexican citizens in USDA's welfare programs.

The Senate unanimously adopted a resolution Thursday night condemning the crimes against humanity committed by Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda.

“Kony and the LRA have terrorized Uganda and its neighbors in central Africa for more than two decades, tearing families apart and destroying communities,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), the lead sponsor of the resolution. “Joseph Kony represents the worst of mankind, and he and his commanders must be held accountable for their war crimes.”

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) said Mitt Romney’s recent comment that he’d do the opposite of President Obama in relation to Israel was “dangerous” and “terrible.”

“I come to the floor out of disbelief with the rhetoric coming from Republicans and their presidential candidate with the U.S. relations with Israel,” Lautenberg said on the floor Thursday. “Unfortunately the Republicans want to use our relationship with Israel for political gain, which is terrible.”

The House voted Thursday morning to extend trade benefits for the textile and apparel industries in Africa for three more years, and also extend those benefits to South Sudan.

Members approved H.R. 5986 by a voice vote, after a debate in which members of both parties congratulated themselves for maintaining these benefits through the end of fiscal 2015. The bill extends preferred access to the U.S. market for textiles and apparel under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

The legislation would significantly tighten sanctions against Iran's energy, shipping and insurance sectors.

Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.), who chairs the House Democracy Partnership and witnessed Egypt's historic presidential election firsthand in May, called on the United States to continue to work with Egypt as it continues its transition toward democracy, even though it is now led by the Muslim Brotherhood.

"Knowing of the harsh and deeply troubling rhetoric the Brotherhood has used over the years, many Americans rightly ask the question: Can we work with the newly elected leadership in Egypt?" he asked. "Should we continue to provide support to this government and the Egyptian people? What exactly does the Brotherhood stand for, and how will they lead?"

The House is back on track to passing legislation this week that would extend trade benefits for African countries — which expire in September — for another three years.

The House was scheduled to take up the legislation last week, but it was never considered. Late Monday, Republicans put the legislation back on the list of suspension bills to be considered this week; the bill, H.R. 5986, will likely be taken up Wednesday.

"This bipartisan, bicameral Iran sanctions legislation strengthens current U.S. law by leaps and bounds," Rep. Ros-Lehtinen said.

Republicans have said they fear Obama's hot-mic remarks indicate he is working on some secret arrangement with the Russians.

Sen. John McCain decried as a "specious" attack GOP lawmakers' claims that Huma Abedin is connected to the Muslim Brotherhood.