A coalition of 15 Republican senators, led by Jim Risch (R-Idaho), has introduced the “Dismantle Iran’s Proxy Act,” a legislative initiative aimed at re-designating the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The bill seeks to reinstate a policy first enacted by the Trump administration in 2021, imposing severe penalties on individuals or entities providing material support to the Houthis while aiming to curb their destabilizing actions in the Red Sea.
“This bill will restore President Trump’s historic decision to designate the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization and impose real costs that will force them to take notice,” Senator Risch stated. He criticized the Biden administration’s 2021 decision to revoke the FTO designation, arguing that it emboldened the Houthis and their Iranian backers to escalate their aggressive behavior.
The legislation proposes re-designating the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, developing a strategy to degrade their capabilities in the Red Sea, and assessing barriers to humanitarian aid in areas under Houthi control. The bill reflects mounting Republican pressure to revive Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, emphasizing its role in arming and financing the Houthis.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) highlighted the Houthis’ aggressive actions and their allegiance to anti-American and anti-Semitic rhetoric. “The Biden Administration’s decision to revoke the Houthis’ terrorist designation proved to be a massive – and obvious – miscalculation,” Graham stated. “You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out they are terrorists.”
After launching nearly daily attacks against American vessels in the Red Sea and Israel, the Houthis have ground international shipping to a standstill. The Dismantle Iran’s Proxy Act will restore President Trump’s historic decision to designate the Houthis a foreign terrorist…
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman (@SenateForeign) January 17, 2025
Other senators echoed Graham’s criticisms. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) described the Houthis as “a barbaric gang of outlaws” responsible for kidnapping, torturing, and killing Americans. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) pointed to their attacks on international shipping and American vessels as evidence of their threat to global security, emphasizing the need to hold Iran accountable for its proxy network.
The legislation also acknowledges the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, requiring an evaluation of obstacles to delivering aid in Houthi-controlled areas. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) emphasized that this initiative seeks to address past policy failures. “America must hold terrorists accountable and unleash severe consequences for their barbaric actions. It’s critical America dismantle Iran’s most capable proxy before they impose more harm on the world,” she said.
The proposal is part of a broader effort to counter Iranian influence across the region, reflecting the lawmakers’ commitment to a firmer policy against the clerical dictatorship. While the legislation focuses on the Houthis’ activities, it also underscores the broader regional implications of the regime’s support for proxy groups. By targeting one of Tehran’s key allies in Yemen, the senators aim to weaken Iran’s influence and reduce its ability to destabilize the region.