A bill to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism.

Senate Bill

S. 70

119th Congress

A bill to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism.

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 13, 2025

Primary Sponsor

John Thune

Senator

Republican

SD

Cosponsors

7

Quick Stats

Policy Area

International Affairs

Summary

This bill requires the President to designate Ansarallah (the Houthis) as a foreign terrorist organization and report to Congress on whether specified foreign persons are Houthi officials, agents, or affiliates. The legislation mandates the terrorist designation that triggers sanctions and other legal consequences for the Iran-backed Yemen movement responsible for Red Sea shipping attacks.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires the President to designate Ansarallah (the Houthis) as a foreign terrorist organization and report to Congress on whether specified foreign persons are Houthi officials, agents, or affiliates. The legislation mandates the terrorist designation that triggers sanctions and other legal consequences for the Iran-backed Yemen movement responsible for Red Sea shipping attacks.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

<p>This bill requires the President to designate Ansarallah, the Iran-backed movement in Yemen also known as the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization. The President must also report to Congress a determination as to whether specified foreign persons are officials, agents, or affiliates of Ansarallah.</p>

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Mandates Houthi foreign terrorist organization designation
Requires presidential report on specified individuals
Identifies Houthi officials, agents, and affiliates
Responds to international terrorism acts
Triggers associated sanctions and legal consequences

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This is one of several bills requiring Houthi terrorist designation following attacks on international shipping. The mandatory designation removes executive discretion, locking in the policy regardless of diplomatic considerations. The reporting requirement on specific individuals enables targeted sanctions on Houthi leadership beyond the organization-wide designation.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

International Affairs

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

70, 119th Congress (2025). "A bill to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-70