Bob Casey and Sherrod Brown: Flipping on the Houthi Rebels
L: Sen. Sherrod Brown (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) R: Sen. Bob Casey (Mark Makela/Getty Images)
In 2021, Senators Bob Casey and Sherrod Brown praised President Joe Biden for his ”positive” and “welcome” decision to remove the terror designation of the Houthi rebels. However, as the Iran-backed rebels continue to wreak havoc in the Middle East, Casey and Brown are now urging Biden to take action against the group.
Casey and Brown signed on to a letter led by left-wing Senator Elizabeth Warren, which applauded Biden’s steps to address the conflict in Yemen. This included reversing the previous administration’s designation of the Houthi rebels as terrorists and restoring aid to northern Yemen. However, recent events have caused Casey and Brown to distance themselves from their previous stance.
The Houthis’ support for Hamas’s war on Israel, as well as their attacks on Western military and commercial ships in the Red Sea, have prompted Casey and Brown to call for the re-implementation of the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation for the Houthis. Notably, they fail to mention their previous support for removing the designation.
This change in position seems to be driven by Casey and Brown’s upcoming reelection bids in swing states where President Biden is unpopular. In Pennsylvania, only 32 percent of voters approve of Biden, while in Ohio, it’s just 31 percent.
Republican candidate Dave McCormick, who is challenging Casey in Pennsylvania, criticizes the senator for his flip-flopping on the Houthi issue. McCormick’s communications director, Elizabeth Gregory, states that it’s too late for Casey to change his stance, as the damage has already been done.
Both Casey and Brown now acknowledge that the terrorist designation is appropriate, citing the escalated attacks by the Houthis against American interests. However, they do not address whether Biden’s decision to remove the designation contributed to these attacks.
When Biden took office, he initially removed the Foreign Terrorist Organization tag from the Houthis as a gesture of goodwill towards Iran. However, he recently moved to reapply sanctions on the group, albeit under a weaker federal statute. This decision has drawn criticism for not fully addressing the threat posed by the Houthis.
“By refusing to label the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, Biden is preventing several important policies to keep Americans safe and weaken the Houthis,” says Gabriel Noronha, a former State Department adviser on Iran. “Returning the Houthis to the Specially Designated Global Terrorist list is only a half-measure, one that senior administration officials immediately conceded they could rescind if the Houthis stop attacking ships.”
How do Senators Casey and Brown argue that the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is connected to the actions of the Houthi rebels and why should all parties be held accountable
Tion of the terror designation on the Houthi rebels. They argue that these actions demonstrate the group’s ongoing commitment to violence and terrorism, and removing the designation is an endorsement of their behavior. In a letter to President Biden, Casey and Brown expressed their concerns and urged him to take decisive action against the group.
Casey and Brown highlight the threat posed by the Houthi rebels to regional stability and US interests. The group’s ties to Iran and its support for other extremist organizations in the region raise alarm bells for the senators. They argue that by removing the terror designation, the US is sending a dangerous message that undermines its commitment to fighting terrorism worldwide.
The senators also underscore the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which has been exacerbated by the Houthi rebels’ actions. The group’s control over key ports and their interference with aid access have contributed to widespread famine and suffering among the Yemeni population. Casey and Brown assert that addressing the conflict in Yemen requires holding all parties accountable, including the Houthi rebels.
Casey and Brown’s change in position on the Houthi rebels reflects their updated understanding of the situation on the ground and their commitment to US interests and global security. They commend Biden for his initial steps to address the conflict, but stress the need for further action to protect US national security interests and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
In conclusion, Senators Bob Casey and Sherrod Brown have shifted their stance on the Houthi rebels in light of recent events. They now call for the re-implementation of the terror designation on the group due to its continued support for extremism, regional destabilization, and humanitarian crisis. Casey and Brown’s position underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the conflict in Yemen and protecting US interests in the region.
Now loading...