Combating Houthi Threats and Aggression Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2052

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-11: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2025-05-21T17:50:32Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, titled the "Combating Houthi Threats and Aggression Act," aims to address threats posed by the Houthis (also known as Ansar Allah) in Yemen to international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It establishes U.S. policy to protect maritime security through cooperation with allies, requires detailed reports on Houthi capabilities and activities, and authorizes targeted sanctions against individuals or entities involved in Houthi attacks or support for them. The goal is to deter attacks that disrupt global commerce, endanger lives, violate international law, and undermine U.S. national security.

Key Provisions

• Statement of Policy (Sec. 2): Affirms U.S. commitment to collaborate with allies on interdiction efforts (actions to stop illegal activities at sea) and counter Houthi attacks, emphasizing their harm to the global economy, regional stability, and U.S. interests.
• Report on Houthi Capabilities (Sec. 3): Requires the President to submit an initial report within 180 days of enactment, followed by annual reports, to congressional committees (Foreign Affairs/Armed Services in both House and Senate). The report covers:
• Houthi leadership's intentions and ability to target the U.S., Israel, or shipping.
• Support from Iran, Hezbollah, or Iranian proxies, including funding, training, and weapons production aid.
• Details on ballistic missiles, drones, maritime weapons, indigenous production (enabled by control of key ports and airports), and use of commercial dual-use drone technology (items that can serve civilian or military purposes).
• Report on Houthi Attacks (Sec. 4): Similar reporting timeline and recipients, focusing on:
• Summaries of attacks threatening navigation freedom since October 7, 2023 (initial report) or annually thereafter.
• Impacts on U.S. security, the global and U.S. economies.
• Iran's role, including targeting help.
• China's activities in the region and comparative effects on navigation freedom for Russia, China, Iran versus the U.S. and partners.
• Report on UN Arms Embargo Violations (Sec. 5): Reporting within 180 days and annually, covering:
• Violations of the UN arms embargo on Yemen (under UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and successors).
• U.S. and international interdictions of weapons destined for Houthis, including details on seizures, origins, authorities used, U.S. resources, and coordination with partners via security assistance programs.
• Initial report starts from January 1, 2022.
• Sanctions Authority (Sec. 6): Directs the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons (non-U.S. individuals or entities) determined to be:
• Responsible for, complicit in, or supporting Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden.
• Engaging in transactions that materially aid such attacks.
• Providing arms, equipment, training, or other assistance to those involved.
• Sanctions include:
• Blocking of property and transactions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, a law allowing the President to regulate commerce during national emergencies).
• Visa ineligibility, inadmissibility to the U.S., and revocation of existing visas under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
• Penalties for violations mirror IEEPA fines and imprisonment.
• Waivers: Case-by-case for up to 180 days if vital to U.S. national security, with prior notification and briefings to Congress.
• Implementation: President must issue regulations within 120 days; exceptions for U.S. intelligence activities, UN obligations, or law enforcement needs.
• Sunset Clause (Sec. 7): The Act expires 5 years after enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces specific, targeted sanctions regime for Houthi-related activities, expanding on existing authorities under IEEPA (for economic measures) and the Immigration and Nationality Act (for visa restrictions) without creating entirely new frameworks.
• Mandates new annual reporting requirements on Houthi threats, Iran's involvement, and UN embargo enforcement, which were not previously required at this level of detail for this specific group.
• Builds on UN Resolution 2216 by requiring U.S. reports on its violations, potentially strengthening enforcement through congressional oversight, but does not alter the UN embargo itself.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload for the executive branch (e.g., State Department, Treasury, intelligence agencies) to produce reports, designate targets, and implement sanctions. Enhances congressional oversight via mandatory briefings, potentially influencing foreign policy decisions.
• Citizens and Economy: Indirect effects on U.S. citizens through stabilized global shipping routes, which could reduce disruptions to trade (e.g., higher shipping costs from Red Sea attacks). No direct impact on domestic citizens, but could affect immigrants or travelers if sanctions lead to broader visa scrutiny.
• International Relations: Strengthens U.S. alliances in countering Iran-backed groups, supports interdiction with partners, and highlights roles of China and Russia. May escalate tensions with Iran and Houthis, deter arms flows, but risks diplomatic backlash if waivers are denied or sanctions broadly applied. Promotes maritime security, benefiting global trade routes vital for 12% of world trade.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Houthis and Supporters: Primary targets, facing asset freezes, travel bans, and disrupted arms supplies.
• Iran and Proxies (e.g., Hezbollah): Scrutiny of their funding and technical aid could limit influence in Yemen and the region.
• International Shipping and Commerce: Protected from attacks, with potential economic benefits for companies and countries reliant on Red Sea/Gulf of Aden routes (e.g., Europe-Asia trade).
• U.S. Allies and Partners: Beneficiaries of coordinated interdictions and security assistance, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, and European nations involved in naval operations.
• China, Russia, and Iran: Assessed for navigation impacts, potentially facing indirect pressure if their interests are highlighted as diverging from U.S. goals.
• UN and Global Bodies: Reinforced focus on arms embargo compliance, aiding multilateral efforts.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on established executive powers under IEEPA (upheld by courts for national security) but includes congressional checks like reports and waiver notifications, balancing separation of powers. Sanctions could raise due process questions if designations lack transparency, though waivers provide flexibility.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Article I (congressional war powers) and Article II (executive foreign affairs authority), promoting oversight without infringing on presidential discretion in sanctions.
• Political: Signals bipartisan concern over Iran and Yemen (introduced by Republicans but referred to key committees), potentially influencing U.S. Middle East strategy amid ongoing conflicts. The 5-year sunset allows periodic review, avoiding permanent policy entrenchment, but may politicize routine diplomacy if reports reveal sensitive intelligence. No overt bias; focuses on security and law enforcement.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-11: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-11: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-11: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Combating Houthi Threats and Aggression Act — issued 2025-03-11 — PDF (13 pages)