H.R.1136 - Make Gaza Great Again Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1136, the "Make Gaza Great Again Act," aims to pressure Middle Eastern countries (excluding Israel) to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza by imposing sanctions on foreign individuals who refuse to cooperate with the United States in this effort. The bill allows the President to block property, deny visas, and revoke existing visas of non-cooperative foreign persons. It also permits the suspension of Major Non-NATO Ally status and foreign assistance to countries refusing to grant humanitarian entry to Palestinians from Gaza.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill, if enacted, would be to strain diplomatic relations with Middle Eastern countries that are unwilling or unable to accept Palestinian refugees. It could also lead to legal challenges and debates regarding the scope of presidential power in foreign policy and immigration matters. The bill's sanctions and potential suspension of aid could impact the economies and security of affected nations.
Potential Benefits
- Could potentially alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by encouraging other nations to accept refugees.
- May strengthen the U.S.'s position on humanitarian issues on the global stage.
- Could incentivize better cooperation from Middle Eastern countries on other U.S. foreign policy objectives.
- May provide a sense of moral satisfaction to some Americans who believe the U.S. should be proactive in addressing the Palestinian refugee crisis.
- Could be seen as a strong stance against perceived inaction by other nations in the region.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could harm diplomatic relations with Middle Eastern countries, potentially destabilizing the region.
- Sanctions could negatively impact the economies of targeted countries, leading to unintended consequences.
- May be viewed as an overreach of U.S. power and interference in the sovereign affairs of other nations.
- Could face legal challenges based on international law and human rights considerations.
- The bill's title could be perceived as insensitive and offensive, further damaging international relations.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill grants significant power to the President, potentially raising concerns about the separation of powers. While Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8), the extent to which this power can be used to compel other nations to accept refugees is debatable. The bill also touches on immigration, an area where Congress has broad authority, but the potential for due process challenges exists if sanctions are applied unfairly. The waiver provision offers some flexibility, but the overall alignment with constitutional principles is questionable.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).