Sen. Cruz Issues Statement Committing to Advancing Legislation to Re-Impose Sanctions on The Houthis
“I have repeatedly introduced legislation that would force the administration to re-impose sanctions. If the administration fails to take meaningful action in this direction, I will move to advance this legislation in the Senate.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the following statement amid escalating attacks by the Houthis against Americans and American interests across the Middle East.
The Biden administration formally announced they were revoking terrorism sanctions on the Houthis in February 2021. Sen. Cruz has introduced legislation in every Congress mandating the re-imposition of those sanctions, in January 2022 and November 2023.
Sen. Cruz said, “The Biden administration made an immediate decision to dismantle terrorism sanctions against the Houthis and their leaders. That decision was reckless, driven by ideology and partisanship, and ignored the threat that these Iran-controlled terrorists pose to the national security of the United States.
“The administration’s policy triggered an immediate escalation by the Houthis, which has only increased in severity and damage over the subsequent years. The Houthis have now escalated to the point where they pose an acute threat to American servicemembers and to global freedom of navigation, and therefore to the safety, security, and prosperity of all Americans.
“It is long past time for the Biden administration to reverse its misguided decision. I have repeatedly introduced legislation that would force the administration to re-impose sanctions. If the administration fails to take meaningful action in this direction, I will move to advance this legislation in the Senate.”
###
