Central Montana Times

U.S. Senator Steve Daines has introduced the "Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act," aiming to redesignate Ansarallah, known as the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The Houthis, an Iran-funded paramilitary group in Yemen, are seen as a significant threat to U.S. security and Middle Eastern stability.

Daines stated, "Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, the Houthis have attacked U.S. allies more than 100 times. With the start of the Trump administration, it’s time to get serious about counterterrorism again and send a message to the Iranian regime that the U.S. stands with Israel and will not tolerate our allies being attacked and shipping routes in the Middle East being disrupted. Designating the Houthis as an FTO will enable the Trump administration to bring the full weight of U.S. sanctions in order to restore peace and order in the Middle East."

The bill is supported by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.) Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Joni Ernst(R-Iowa).

Previously, President Trump's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated the Houthis as an FTO on January 19th, 2021. This designation was revoked by Biden's Secretary of State Blinken about a month later. In January 2024, Biden re-designated them as Specially Designated Global Terrorists but did not reinstate their FTO status.