Summary of Bill S.70 (Introduced in Senate, January 13, 2025)

Purpose

S.70 proposes to impose sanctions on Ansarallah (also known as the Houthi movement) and its officials, agents, or affiliates for acts of international terrorism. The bill would require that Ansarallah be designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and would set specific timing and reporting requirements tied to that designation.

Key Provisions

1. Designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization

2. Not later than 30 days after enactment, the President must designate Ansarallah as an FTO under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).

3. determinations regarding officials, agents, or affiliates

4. Not later than 30 days after the designation, the President must submit to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs a determination on whether certain foreign persons are officials, agents, or affiliates of Ansarallah. The individuals named are:

   • Abdul Malik al-Houthi
   • Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi
   • Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim

5. Definition

6. The term Ansarallah includes the movement known as Ansarallah, the Houthi movement, or any alias.

Timelines and Process

• Enactment triggers a 30-day deadline to designate Ansarallah as an FTO.
• Following designation, there is a 30-day deadline to report determinations about the listed individuals to the relevant Congressional committees.
• Status: Introduced in the Senate; referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations after being read twice.

Affected Parties

• Primary entities: Ansarallah (the Houthi movement) and its officials, agents, or affiliates.
• Specifically named individuals (Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi, Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim) would be subject to potential further scrutiny under the designation process.
• Foreign persons designated as officials/agents/affiliates could face sanctions under the bill’s framework.

Legislative Status and Sponsorship

• Introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2025.
• Primary sponsor: Ted Cruz.
• Key cosponsors: Lindsey Graham, Rick Scott, Thom Tillis, John Barrasso, Tom Cotton, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty.
• Related House companion: HR 1250.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

• Expansion of sanctions targeting Ansarallah, potentially affecting financial networks, travel, and other sanction regimes under U.S. law.
• The designation process could influence U.S. foreign policy diplomacy and relations with affected regions.
• The bill creates specific timing requirements that may drive rapid executive action and reporting to Congress.
• As a new measure, its fate depends on committee action and broader legislative priorities (including the related House companion).

Next Steps

• Committee action in the Senate (Foreign Relations) is required for advancement.
• If advanced, potential floor consideration would follow, subject to broader legislative timing and negotiations.