A notable congress message to Trump about Lebanon

On November 13, 2025, United States Congress members, Darrell Issa and Daren Lahoud, sent an official letter to President Donald Trump, in which they praised his ongoing efforts, emphasized the importance of the relationship between the Washington and Beirut, as well as the necessity to sustain its pivotal role in supporting stability and maintaining the country’s sovereignty (especially with regards to disarming Hezbollah).
What is notable in this message is the call for imposing sanctions and freezing the assets of those who obstruct the voting of Lebanese expatriates for the 128 MPs or endorse the postponement of the upcoming elections; even targeting Lebanese Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri, himself.

Calling for enhanced pressure on Hezbollah disarmament

One of the key issues tackled in the Congressmen’s letter was Hezbollah’s status and armament.
Issa and Lahoud acknowledged that “Lebanon has witnessed major changes that offer hope for a future free from Hezbollah’s harmful influence,” following “the election of President Joseph Aoun and the appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to lead an effective, accountable, and non-corrupt government.” However, the two warned that “we cannot allow external powers, malign actors, or bureaucratic stagnation to spoil this historic opportunity for the people of Lebanon.”
From here, they highlighted the need for “continued, energetic, and creative American leadership” and engagement in order to ensure that the intended results have been successfully fulfilled. They claimed that “efforts to fully disarm Hezbollah both south and north of the Litani River by the Lebanese Armed Forces must continue, and we offer our full support for these efforts.”

Advocating for diaspora’s right to vote for all 128 MPs

Another critical issue the two Congressman addressed was the contentious electoral rights for the Lebanese diaspora regarding the 2026 parliamentary elections.
They reiterated the need to amend the current provisions of the 2017 Election Law (Law No. 44/2017), which limits the expatriates’ vote to only 6 overseas representatives. Issa and Lahoud, while acknowledging and commending certain MPs and the Cabinet, saying “multiple Members of the Lebanese Parliament, and, as of this week, officially the Lebanese government, are working to permanently secure full voting rights for the diaspora,” severely criticized “corrupt political elites and allied parties” who “remain determined to block democratic rights and progress.” The two even mentioned Speaker Berri by name in their letter, claiming that “Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri is once again standing in the way of progress,” warning that “any continued delay by him or others to obstruct the democratic process and prevent the holding of an open parliamentary session to discuss fair electoral reform is unacceptable and constitutes full alignment with Hezbollah and its political allies.” These words stemmed from their conviction that “the Lebanese diaspora has long supported the Lebanese people” and “deserve a full and fair voice in parliamentary elections.” They added that “corrupt political elites cannot continue to serve private interests at a time when the Lebanese people need decisive leaders.”
Therefore, the Congressman called on their country, the United States, to “be prepared to use all available tools to review, sanction, or freeze assets, including dollar-denominated and other assets within the United States, of those who continue to obstruct democratic processes and reforms in Lebanon.” Although not explicitly mentioned, their address seems directed against the Hezbollah-Amal duo, along with other supportive political parties and politicians, who continue to oppose and obstruct amending the 2017 Electoral Law provisions regarding the 6 overseas MPs.

Ensuring effective and sustainable change in Lebanon

Congressmen Issa and Lahoud seem bound to achieve significant and lasting change in Lebanon, with regards to crucial reforms as well as the restoration of the country’s lost sovereignty (including the monopoly of retaining arms).
Indeed, they believed that “the upcoming elections will be pivotal in ensuring that Hezbollah and its political allies make no further gains.” They claimed that “this is truly a moment for action,” given the local as well as regional evolving landscapes as “Iran’s influence in Lebanon has weakened” and “Hezbollah continues to lose its commanders, personnel, infrastructure, funding, and influence.”
As the Lebanese Cabinet is yet to send its approved November 6 draft law allowing expatriates to vote from their countries of residence for all 128 MPs according to their original electoral records, the ultimate decision lies in Parliament after Speaker Berri decides to include it in the General Assembly’s session. Hence, will the Congressmen’s message, coupled with the ongoing recent local as well as international Lebanese efforts and pressure, bear fruit and advance the desired amendment?