Latest news with #HouseForeignAffairs
WIRED
2 days ago
- General
- WIRED
The Trump Administration Wants to Create an ‘Office of Remigration'
As part of a sweeping reorganization of the State Department, the Trump administration is creating an Office of Remigration. Remigration is an immigration policy embraced by extremists that calls for the removal of all migrants—including 'non-assimilated' citizens—with the goal of creating white ethnostates in Western countries. The details of the plan are contained in a 136-page notification document sent by the State Department to six Congressional commitees—including the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—for approval by July 1, according to a copy reviewed by WIRED. 'The Office of Remigration will serve as the [Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration]'s hub for immigration issues and repatriation tracking,' the document reads. 'It will provide a policy platform for interagency coordination with DHS and other agencies on removals/repatriations, and for intra-agency policy work to advance the President's immigration agenda.' The notification says that the Office of Remigration 'will also actively facilitate the voluntary return of migrants to their country of origin or legal status,' which is a key aim of remigration ideology. The document, which was first reported on by Reuters and The Handbasket, also outlines dramatic changes to the US diplomatic services, including the elimination of much of the democracy, human rights, and labor bureau, and the addition of a new deputy assistant secretary position to oversee 'Democracy and Western values.'
Arab News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs meets US delegation in Riyadh
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir met a delegation from the US House of Representatives on Saturday at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The delegation was headed by Michael Lawler, member of Congress and the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee. The two sides reviewed the long-standing relations between Saudi Arabia and the US, and also discussed key regional and international developments, as well as issues of mutual concern, the SPA added. The meeting followed the visit of US President Donald Trump to the Kingdom earlier this month and reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
The National
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Taliban foreign terrorist designation under review, Rubio says
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the US was reviewing whether to designate the Taliban as a foreign terrorist organisation. Mr Rubio was on Capitol Hill testifying before the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on the proposed State Department budget. The Taliban is designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group. FTO sanctions freeze the assets of the designated group. They differ from SDGT designations in that they make it a crime to provide 'material support or resources' to a designated group; members of an FTO are automatically inadmissible to the US; and victims of terrorist attacks and their survivors are able to file civil lawsuits against FTOs and the entities that support them, according to the Atlantic Council think tank. The Taliban have ruled Afghanistan since 2021, retaking power after the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Since it returned to power, the Taliban have reinstated their strict interpretation of Islamic law. They have essentially erased women and girls from public life, from schools to journalism to public parks, and have removed protections for minority ethnic and religious groups. But critics have argued that an FTO designation often has the unintended consequence of obstructing the flow of humanitarian aid. Even before the US withdrawal, Afghanistan was a major recipient of US and other foreign aid, and the assistance continues to help prop up its economy. Mr Rubio's comments come after the US announced Afghanistan would be removed from the list of countries whose citizens have Temporary Protected Status. The Department of Homeland Security said that 'conditions in Afghanistan no longer meet the statutory requirements' for TPS, which provides protection from deportation as well as the ability to work in the US to citizens of countries experiencing conflict or other crises. 'This administration is returning TPS to its original temporary intent,' said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. 'Afghanistan has had an improved security situation, and its stabilising economy no longer prevents them from returning to their home country.'
CBS News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Transcript: Rep. Michael McCaul on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," May 11, 2025
The following is the transcript of an interview with Rep. Michael McCaul, Republican of Texas, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on May 11, 2025. ED O'KEEFE: Now we turn to Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, who joins us from Austin. He is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee. Congressman, thank you for being with us. I wanted to start first with the situation in Ukraine, because over the weekend, the U.S., Europe and Ukraine, put forward a proposal now for a 30-day cease-fire that would start on Monday. President Putin has essentially flouted it and is calling for direct talks again with Ukraine to be held in Turkey at some point, without conditions. How close are we, do you think, to a breakthrough? REP. MICHAEL MCCAUL: If I could first, Ed, say Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, especially my wife, Linda. Now getting on to the subject at hand. It's- it's very intense. You know, there was a 30-day cease-fire called for. Mr. Putin decided to bomb Ukraine on Palm Sunday. He's not making any concessions at all, while Zelenskyy seems to be making all the concessions. So if- the bottom line is Putin has to agree to a 30-day cease-fire for any peace talks to go forward, and the land that he is asking for is- you know, even JD Vance talked about this, and the president, you know, land that- that Russia has not even occupied in Ukraine, so he has to operate in good faith. We want peace, but not peace at any price, because peace at any price is like appeasement, like we saw with Chamberlain and Hitler, and that's unacceptable. ED O'KEEFE: Now, the president has suggested in the past week that the U.S. might impose additional sanctions on Russia if they don't agree to this cease-fire. You know that South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has at least 70 of his colleagues in the Senate on board with a new sanctions bill. You're on the House version of it as well. How likely is that legislation to get to the floor? REP. MCCAUL: That's really up to Mr. Putin. I mean, whether there are sanctions or another supplemental bill to fund this conflict, we'd like to see this thing over with the Pope, who I'm so proud of being a Catholic and an American Pope, called for peace, but not at any price. And so if Mr. Putin does not agree to a 30-day ceasefire, I think the sanctions are almost certain, not only from the Congress, but from the White House. ED O'KEEFE: Well, okay, that's one way to call out Russia. The other- I suppose we need to put pressure on Russia by continuing to arm Ukraine. You were instrumental in getting that last round of military aid for Ukraine passed, but Speaker Johnson has said there's no plan to bring a new round of military aid to the House floor. What do you need to do now to convince the Speaker to hold a vote on that legislation? REP. MCCAUL: Well, getting it passed the last time was a major accomplishment. Had we not accomplished that, Ed, Russia would be occupying Ukraine today. No question in my mind. There is presidential drawdown authorities for more weapons to go into Ukraine if Mr. Putin decides to not negotiate in good faith. So again, it's really, up to Mr. Putin who so far has not been negotiating in good faith, as to how we proceed from here. And we all want this war to end. We all want peace, but we want a just peace. ED O'KEEFE: The President, as we mentioned, is headed to the Middle East tomorrow, on Monday, there are reports he's no longer demanding Saudi recognition of Israel as a condition for a nuclear deal with the United States. Is that a mistake, or is this nuclear agreement so critical that not acknowledging Ukraine, letting that go is okay? REP. MCCAUL: We don't have all the details. I know he's there to discuss an economic alliance with the Saudis, with the UAE- UAE, with the Arab nations. And that's important, just like the minerals deal that the Ukraine parliament voted for. The more economically we're tied to the Middle East, the more we're security tied, and that- that will push China out of the region. The ultimate goal here, though, is a normalization agreement with Israel. We were getting close to that, until Iran decided, through its proxy in you know in Gaza and Hamas, to invade on October 7. So, the point is, we need to be talking about all this as a package. But again, we cannot have normalization until you have a cease-fire in Gaza. And I think that's the more difficult piece here. ED O'KEEFE: There's so many conflicts in the world, I of course meant Israel. You acknowledge that in your answer, the idea of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. A lot of issues around the world. There is one issue, though, back here at home, I want to talk to you about again, because you're a member of the House Homeland Security Committee. Over the weekend, we saw Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest the mayor of Newark, New Jersey outside a federal detention center, and they're now threatening to arrest three Democratic members of Congress for allegedly assaulting or touching an ICE agent there on the scene. I'm just curious, should ICE be arresting or even threatening to arrest members of Congress? REP. MCCAUL: I mean, that's obviously a very drastic move. I would only do that if they were complicit with a crime. I don't know all the facts behind this. If they were just visiting a detention center. That's- I've done that many times. If they're disrupting law enforcement, that's another question. So, you know, we can peacefully protest in this country, but you cannot be complicit with gang violence against our law enforcement. And I think perhaps that's what it comes down to. Ed, if I could just add one last thing on the Gaza, Governor David Beasley, who won the Nobel Peace Prize has been recently tasked into an effort, if you will. And I just talked to him on the phone, had many conversations with the Arab nations to try to get this aid into Gaza. He was a former World Food Programme president. If anybody can get this thing done, it's him. And so I hold great hope that he may be able to bring an end to this conflict in Gaza, then we can get to normalization, that for the first time in our lifetime, we could see true peace in the Middle East. ED O'KEEFE: There were reports that Beasley was going to be in charge of some kind of new effort. Are you telling us that he's officially told you that's the plan, now that he's been hired to do it? REP. MCCAUL: Well, it's not official yet. I anticipate it will be. And he's had the conversations with the Arab nations who very much trust him based on his prior performance. ED O'KEEFE: Sure, absolutely and well known for his work with the World Food Programme. I do want to ask you one other thing, though, in the homeland security realm, because this past week, as well, White House senior advisor Stephen Miller said habeas corpus can be suspended at the time of an invasion, saying the administration is looking at ways to potentially do away with due process for undocumented immigrants. You're an attorney, you're someone who deals with Homeland Security issues and immigration being there from the Lone Star State. Is suspending habeas corpus for undocumented immigrants a good idea? REP. MCCAUL: Well, this is- was done by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. It's a very extreme measure, you know, to take. Any person in the United States under the Constitution has due process rights. So, I think the courts are going to decide this one, as to whether this invasion, in fact, constitutes what would be a state of war. Some would say it would. People in my state of Texas see an invasion and the drug cartels and the danger that they bring into my state in this country. I think that will be a very interesting legal argument before the court. ED O'KEEFE: Well, curious to call in an invasion, especially when the administration likes to remind us that border crossings are, of course, at a historic low. So that'll be part of the legal debate. I suppose, Congressman-- REP. MCCAUL: -- They have gone down substantial, yes. ED O'KEEFE: They sure have. Congressman Michael McCaul, thank you for globetrotting with us this morning. We appreciate it, and we'll be right back.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Rep. Keith Self cuts short committee hearing after colleague objects to him misgendering trans member
U.S. Rep. Keith Self, R-McKinney, abruptly adjourned a congressional hearing Tuesday after being confronted for misgendering U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride,the first openly transgender member of Congress. The Europe Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs, which Self chairs, was meeting about arms control when Self introduced McBride by calling her, 'Mr. McBride.' McBride, a Delaware Democrat, replied, 'Thank you, Madam Chair,' before continuing with her remarks. U.S. Rep. Bill Keating, D-Massachusetts, interjected to ask Self to repeat his introduction. Self did so, again referring to his colleague as 'Mr. McBride.' 'Mr. Chairman, you are out of order,' Keating, incredulous, shot back. 'Mr. Chairman, have you no decency? I mean, I've come to know you a little bit. But this is not decent.' Self attempted to continue the hearing as Keating went on to say that the hearing would not continue with him 'unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way.' Self then adjourned the hearing. Later on social media, Self wrote that 'it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.' President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the first days of his term declaring that the federal government only recognized two sexes, and that they were not interchangeable. House Republicans have previously not referred to McBride as a woman in official proceedings, and worked to bar transgender women from using women's restrooms in the Capitol complex. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois referred to McBride as the 'gentleman from Delaware,' while recognizing her for her first floor speech in February. McBride ignored it. McBride did not comment on Self's remark further at the hearing. Later on social media, she wrote that 'no matter how I'm treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress. It is truly the honor and privilege of a lifetime. I simply want to serve and to try to make this world a better place.' We can't wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and so much more. Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
