EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Clyde Introduces Legislation To Redesignate Iran-Backed Houthis As Foreign Terrorist Organization

Republican Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde reintroduced legislation Tuesday that would redesignate Iran-backed Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization.


The Daily Caller first obtained the piece of legislation, entitled the Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act. The bill would reinstate sanctions that former President Donald Trump placed on the Iran-backed Houthis, which would designate the group a foreign terrorist organization. In 2021, President Joe Biden reversed the Trump administration’s policy by removing the Houthis from the Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist lists.


On Thursday, the USS Carney, a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer in the northern Red Sea, shot down three missiles and multiple drones launched by Houthi forces in Yemen. The missiles were possibly headed towards Israel, the Pentagon said.


“Our world is at a critical inflection point,” Clyde told the Caller before introducing the legislation. “Following Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on our greatest ally in the Middle East, we have witnessed a dire escalation of violent aggression across the region. Undoubtedly, Iran-backed terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis, have been emboldened by President Biden’s significant weakness on the world stage. Continuing to capitulate to terrorists like the Houthis will further threaten our national security and dangerously increase the likelihood of pulling the U.S. into another war.


“To avoid exacerbating tensions, our Commander-in-Chief must respond to these acts of terror with strength by redesignating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization and reinstating related sanctions on the group,” Clyde added.


The original cosponsors include Reps. Mike Gallagher, Rich McCormick, Andy Ogles, Scott Perry, Guy Reschenthaler, Claudia Tenney, and Randy Weber.