How the administration would respond to a bill that would place pressure on foreign governments to act against Hizbullah is unclear. The Treasury Department did announce new sanctions targeting a Hizbullah procurement network last summer, but the administration may worry that legislation aimed at one of Iran’s closest allies could prove disruptive to the nuclear talks.
Late in 2014 Obama announced dramatic changes to Washington’s four decade-old policy towards communist Cuba, drawing praise in some quarters but also sharp criticism from some prominent senators, including Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Menendez.
The White House will need Senate support to advance some, though not all, of its new Cuba policy, including repeal of legislation on the trade embargo, and confirmation of an ambassador to Havana.
The administration may face further difficulties on Capitol Hill as it seeks to prod Israelis and Palestinians to a negotiated settlement, and resists calls by some to get tough with allies Turkey and Qatar over their support for Hamas.
(CNS News)