What’s happening

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer supports the re-classification of Houthis as a terrorist organization, expressing approval of the actions taken by the Biden administration and underscoring it should have been done sooner.

Why it matters

The Houthis, engaged in ongoing conflict in Yemen, received global attention due to disruptions in international commerce and attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Their redesigned designation as a terror group indicates renewed U.S. commitment to combating terrorism and underscores the severity of Houthi actions.

What they’re saying

“Though it took Joe Biden three years to figure out what Republicans already knew, there’s no time like the present to ditch the failed foreign policy that led to unprecedented attacks on American troops and international commerce,” said Emmer.

The backstory

Under the Trump administration, the Houthis were labeled a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), but the designation was removed after President Biden’s inauguration in February 2021. Facing increased Houthi aggression, the Biden administration now opts for Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) status, a step below FTO, to pressure the group into behavior change.

Big picture

This development is part of larger regional tensions, including the backlash from the Israel-Hamas war, affecting U.S. international and immigration policy. Both Republicans and progressives have critiqued Biden’s stance, albeit for different aspects of the conflict management.

Further Details

To bolster the impact of the designation, the U.S. has joined international efforts in conducting strikes against Houthi-held positions in Yemen. The administration’s goal remains to induce the Houthis to de-escalate aggressive actions and engage in a positive behavior change.

This story was first published on foxnews.com.