“I’m gravely concerned that the Trump Administration’s designation will severely limit the relief provided to millions of innocent Yemenis, who depend on international assistance for survival, while doing nothing to advance a political solution in Yemen. The Trump Administration has repeatedly ignored the will of Congress with respect to Yemen, from rejecting bipartisan legislation to end U.S. support for the conflict to freezing humanitarian assistance. I call on the administration to cease any additional actions that would worsen the humanitarian crisis in Yemen in the final days of Trump’s term. 

 

"I will work with President Biden to reverse this decision, de-escalate the war, and bolster the humanitarian response in Yemen. The United States must take immediate steps to mitigate the harmful effects of this designation and combat rising food insecurity, malnutrition, and famine in Yemen.”

 

In November 2020, Representative Deutch wrote to Secretary Pompeo and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft to warn of the consequences of designating the Yemeni Houthis as it would likely interrupt the already overstrained humanitarian response and disrupt the precarious UN-led political process in Yemen.

 

As the Members acknowledged in the letter, "We have no illusions about the dangerous actions of the Houthis, but a blanket designation will dramatically increase risks associated with transferring humanitarian funds to Yemen."