Category: Congressional Relations

Senators McCain, Durbin Push Congress to Sanction Russia

US Senate leaders John McCain [R-AZ] and Dick Durbin [D-IL] urged Congress to pass quickly – within a week – strong economic sanctions against Russia for its armed seizure of Crimea from Ukraine. In a conference call hosted by the Atlantic Council with journalists and council members, Durbin and McCain, both members of the Senate […]

The Pentagon Is Picking an Unnecessary Fight With Congress

By James Joyner

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel previewed the president’s five-year Pentagon budget request expected to be released next week and it is a shot across the bow at Congress. The proposal thumbs its nose at sequestration budget caps, insists on another round of base closures, targets popular acquisitions programs and the National Guard and otherwise flouts the expressed […]

As US Seeks Trade Deals, It Should Include Energy

By New Atlanticist

As the White House scrambles to defend the big trade deals it is negotiating with Europe and Asia, the Atlantic Council’s David Koranyi underscores the benefits of including the energy sector in those talks. After President Obama asked Congress directly for broad authority to negotiate the deals in his State of the Union address last […]

Congress Avoids Clash on Iran Sanctions But Road Ahead Uncertain

By Barbara Slavin

Congress appears poised to give the Barack Obama administration some early Christmas gifts as it finishes its work for the year. A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House and Senate on Tuesday reached a budget compromise that, if passed by both bodies, would avert the threat of another government shutdown in early 2014. Meanwhile, a […]

Atlantic Council Hosts Colombian President Santos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 3, 2013 CONTACT Taleen Ananianpress@AtlanticCouncil.org, 202.778.4993 WASHINGTON — The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center this evening hosted Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for a private dinner with US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker; US Congressmen Eliot Engel, and Gregory Meeks; and other decision-makers. The dinner was co-chaired by former […]

Progress in Iran Nuclear Talks Makes Some US Allies Nervous

By Barbara Slavin

Talks between six world powers and Iran resume next week in Geneva but the real drama may be occurring elsewhere as the United States tries to reassure Congress and nervous allies that an emerging deal is better than no agreement.

At Senate Egypt Hearing, Contentious Aid Issue Looms Large

By Stefanie Hausheer

Should the United States sidestep its laws and continue to provide aid to Egypt given the events of July 3? If the United States suspends assistance, will we lose our vital security partnership with Egypt? These questions were fiercely debated at today’s Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on the crisis in Egypt that featured […]

Top News: Proposed US House Bill Keeps Egypt Military Aid at $1.3 Billion

Leaders of the US House of Representatives panel in charge of aid to Egypt proposed on Thursday that military aid be kept at $1.3 billion next year, subject to conditions including the government planning and holding elections.