Democratic Congresswoman from Pennsylvania and member of the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committee, Chrissy Houlihan, recently addressed the issue of whether the Biden administration should redesignate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization. This comes after the Biden administration removed the group from the list in order to facilitate aid into Yemen early in its tenure.
Congresswoman Houlihan highlighted the alarming aggressiveness exhibited by the Houthis, not just towards the United States but also in disrupting trade in the Red Sea. The Houthis have been responsible for attacking civilian ships that carry goods crucial to global trade. The region accounts for 12 to 15 percent of the world's goods, affecting economies worldwide. The Congresswoman believes it is appropriate for the U.S., alongside its allies, to respond to this aggression.
The response from congressional Republicans regarding the president's actions has been largely positive. However, some Democrats, including Congressman Ro Khanna, have voiced concerns about involving the U.S. in another Middle East conflict without seeking approval from Congress. Congressman Khanna emphasized the importance of Article I of the Constitution, stating that any military action must be brought before Congress for authorization, regardless of the party in the White House.
Congresswoman Houlihan disagrees with Congressman Khanna, asserting that Article II allows the president to exercise military action in the defense of the country. She believes it is within the president's authority to respond to attacks and protect the civilian economy. While the president informed congressional leaders of the response, Congress's responsibility moving forward is to consider the implications of these actions and potential future offensive measures.
Shifting gears, the topic of government funding also emerged during the interview. As the deadline approaches, there have been threats from the far right of the Democratic Party to vacate the Speaker of the House position if another continuing resolution (CR) is pursued or if budget cuts aren't implemented. Some moderate Democrats have expressed their intention to support Speaker Johnson in such a scenario.
Congresswoman Houlihan commended Speaker Johnson for his willingness to work across the aisle and prioritize the best interests of the American people, as evident in his efforts regarding suspension bills. She expressed hope that he would continue to demonstrate leadership by fostering bipartisan cooperation and avoiding the need for a continuing resolution. The Congresswoman emphasized that the Speaker represents the entire House and is responsible for all 435 members.
As the government funding deadline approaches, observers await the outcome of these discussions and the actions taken by Speaker Johnson and Congress as a whole.
