WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Brian Mast (FL-21) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), in a bipartisan letter, urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to redesignate the Iranian-backed Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. 

Redesignation would help combat terrorism, maintain international order, and protect the United States’ national and economic security.

“Targeting commercial shipping vessels in retaliation for Israel acting in self-defense after one the deadliest days for the Jewish people since the Holocaust clearly falls within this definition of terrorism. Their actions pose a significant threat to the safety and security of maritime activities in the region,” wrote Representatives Brian Mast (FL-21) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “Since Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attacks against Israel, the Houthis have openly declared their unwavering support for Hamas and its barbaric acts against Israelis. Utilizing ballistic missiles, drones, and even hijacking vessels by boarding them from a helicopter, the Houthis are actively attacking ships they believe are destined for Israel.”

Full text of the letter can be found here.