New Bill Targets Houthi Threats: Mandates Intelligence Reports, Authorizes Sanctions Over Red Sea Attacks

A new piece of legislation, the "Combating Houthi Threats and Aggression Act," sets its sights on addressing the group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The core idea is to get a better handle on the Houthis' capabilities and potentially hit them—and their supporters—with financial and travel restrictions. It officially states U.S. policy is to work with allies to keep these crucial waterways secure, framing the Houthi attacks as threats to trade, international law, and regional stability.

Digging into the Details: Required Reporting

Before any action, the bill demands information. Within 180 days of enactment, and annually after that, the President would need to deliver detailed reports to Congress (specifically, the foreign affairs and armed services committees in both House and Senate). These aren't light reading; they require deep dives into several areas:

• Houthi Capabilities (Sec. 3): Assessing their intent and ability to hit the U.S., Israel, or global shipping. This includes detailing their missiles, drones (including range and precision), and maritime weapons. Crucially, it also requires examining suspected support from Iran and Hezbollah, including funding and training, plus the Houthis' own weapons production capacity, potentially boosted by control over key infrastructure like ports and airports.
• Attack Analysis (Sec. 4): Summarizing Houthi attacks on shipping, analyzing their impact on U.S. security and the global/U.S. economy, and assessing Iran's role (like providing targeting help). Interestingly, it also asks for a look at China's presence in the area and how these attacks affect navigation for Russia, China, and Iran compared to the U.S. and its partners.
• Arms Embargo Violations (Sec. 5): Reporting on breaches of the UN arms embargo against Yemen (UNSCR 2216), including details on weapons interdictions by the U.S. or others (what was seized, where, by whom, and under what authority). It also requires outlining U.S. resources and international coordination efforts dedicated to stopping illicit weapons flow to the Houthis.

These reports aim to build a comprehensive picture of the threat, the external support networks, and the effectiveness of current efforts to curb arms smuggling.

The Sanctions Toolbox: Potential Financial Penalties

The bill doesn't just ask for reports; it also gives the President a potential hammer. Section 6 authorizes—but doesn't mandate—the President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals or entities found to be involved in Houthi attacks on international shipping or providing military or financial support to the Houthis. If the President chooses to act, the sanctions are significant:

• Asset Freeze: Blocking any property or financial interests the sanctioned person/entity has in the U.S. Think of it like freezing their U.S. bank accounts and barring any transactions.
• Visa Ban: Making sanctioned individuals ineligible to enter the U.S. and revoking any existing visas.

Violating these sanctions would trigger penalties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which can include hefty fines and even prison time. However, there's an off-ramp: the President can waive the sanctions for up to 180 days if deemed necessary for U.S. national security, though Congress must be notified. Exceptions are also included for intelligence activities and compliance with international law.

The Bigger Picture and the Clock

This legislation frames the Houthi issue within a broader context of maritime security and international cooperation (Sec. 2). It provides specific tools—intelligence gathering and potential economic pressure—to address the threats identified. However, it's not designed to be permanent. Section 7 includes a 'sunset clause,' meaning the entire Act automatically expires five years after enactment unless Congress decides to renew it. This built-in expiration date ensures a future review of whether the law is still needed or effective.