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MORE WORK ON THE VETERANS' JOBS
2:15 EASTERN.
LATER TODAY ON CAPITOL HILL,
THEY WILL ALSO HOLD A
GOLD MEDAL
CEREMONY FOR MYNAMAR AWNING --
A -- AUNG SAN SUU KYI.
NOW LIVE COMPLE OF THE HOUSE
HERE ON -- NOW LIVE COVERAGE OF
THE HOUSE HERE ON C-SPAN.
[CAPTIONS COPYRIGHT NATIONAL
CABLE SATELLITE CORP. 2012]
[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE]
THE HOUSE WILL BE
IN ORDER.
THE PRAYER WILL BE OFFERED BY
OUR CHAPLAIN, FATHER CONROY.
CHAPLAIN CONROY: LET US PRAY.
LOVING GOD WE GIVE YOU THANKS
FOR GIVING US ANOTHER DAY.
WE PRAY THIS DAY, O LORD, FOR
PEACE IN OUR WORLD.
THAT FREEDOM WILL FLOURISH AND
RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL BE DONE.
OF OUR NATION IS
DRAWN TOWARD AN IMPENDING
TO BE DONE.
SEND YOUR SPIRIT UPON THE
MEMBERS OF THIS PEOPLE'S HOUSE
THAT THEY MIGHT JUDICIOUSLY
BALANCE SEEMINGLY
IRRECONCILEABLE INTERESTS.
HELP THEM TO EXECUTE THEIR
CONSCIENCES AND JUDGMENTS WITH
CLARITY AND PURITY OF HEART SO
THAT ALL MIGHT STAND BEFORE YOU
HONESTLY AND TRUST THAT YOU CAN
BRING FORTHRIGHTOUS FRUITS FROM
THEIR LABORS.
BLESS THIS DAY AND EVERY DAY
AND MAY ALL THAT IS DONE BE FOR
YOUR GREATER HONOR AND GLORY,
AMEN.
THE CHAIR HAS
EXAMINED THE JOURNAL OF THE
LAST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS AND
APPROVAL THEREOF.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 1 OF RULE 1,
THE JOURNAL STANDS APPROVED.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TODAY
WILL BED LED BY THE GENTLEMAN
FROM OHIO, MR. KUCINICH.
I ASK EVERYONE TO
RISE IN THE PLEDGE AND THOSE IN
THE GALLERY TO JOIN US.
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER
GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THE CHAIR WILL
ENTERTAIN UP TO 15 REQUESTS FOR
ONE-MINUTE SPEECHES ON EACH
SIDE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA
RISE?
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN RISE?
TO SPEAK FOR ONE POINT.
DOES THE GENTLEMAN
YES.
SO ORDERED.
YOU.
TODAY I HAD THE PRIVILEGE AND
HONOR TO VISIT WALTER REED
HOSPITAL TO SAY THANK YOU TO
OUR WOUNDED FROM AFGHANISTAN
AND IRAQ AND I SAW THOSE WHO
HAVE LOST BOTH LEGS, ARMS AND
LEGS AND IT'S SO SAD TO GO
THERE, BUT THAT BRINGS ME TO
THE FLOOR TODAY TO THANK THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE ARMED SERVICES
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, C.W.
"BILL" YOUNG WHO HAS COME OUT
AND SAID IT'S TIME TO BRING OUR
TROOPS HOME FROM AFGHANISTAN.
AND I QUOTE, I THINK WE SHOULD
REMOVE OURSELVES FROM
AFGHANISTAN AS QUICKLY AS WE
CAN.
MR. SPEAKER, THAT BRINGS ME TO
A COUPLE COMMENTS.
I CALLED THE FORMER COMMANDANT
OF THE MARINE CORPS AND ASKED
HIM THREE YEARS AGO TO ADVISE
ME ON AFGHANISTAN.
HE HAS.
HE'S BEEN VERY -- I WANT TO
READ HIS COMMENTS AND THEN I
WILL CLOSE.
I AM MOST CONVINCED THAN EVER
THAT WE NEED TO GET OUR TROOPS
OUT OF AFGHANISTAN.
WHEN OUR FRIENDS TURN OUT TO BE
OUR ENEMY, IT'S TIME TO PULL
THE PLUG.
WE ARE NOW NOTHING MORE THAN A
RECRUITING POST FOR EVERY
MALCONTENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
WE NEED TO WAKE UP.
I WOULD SAY TO THE SPEAKER WHO
JUST LEFT, I WOULD SAY TO THE
LEADERSHIP OF THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY, JOIN US IN BRINGING OUR
TROOPS HOME IN THE YEAR 2013.
NO MORE SHOULD DIE FOR A LOST
CAUSE LIKE AFGHANISTAN.
TIME.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
FROM OHIO SEEK RECOGNITION?
I REQUEST
PERMISSION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE
DOES
GENTLEMAN SEEK UNANIMOUS
I DO.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU.
IN 1992 THE FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION DECIDED THAT
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
WERE THE FUNCTIONAL EQUIVALENT
OF CONVENTIONAL FOODS.
THEY ARRIVED AT THIS DECISION
WITHOUT TESTING G.M.O.'S FOR
TOXICITY, ANTIBIOTIC
RESISTANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL
CHARACTERISTICS.
AS A RESULT HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS OF ACRES OF G.M.O.
CROPS WERE PLANTED IN AMERICA
WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OR
CONSENT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
NO SAFETY TESTING.
NO LONG-TERM HEALTH STUDIES.
THE F.D.A.'S RECEIVED OVER A
MILLION COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS
DEMANDING LABELING OF G.M.O.'S,
90% OF AMERICANS AGREE.
SO WHY NO LABELING?
I'LL GIVE YOU ONE REASON.
THE INFLUENCE AND CORRUPTION OF
THE POLITICAL PROCESS BY
MONSANTO.
MONSANTO HAS BEEN A PRIME MOVER
IN G.M.O. TECHNOLOGY.
A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR G.M.O.
LOBBY HERE AND MAJOR POLITICAL
CONTRIBUTOR.
THERE WAS A CHANCE THAT
MONSANTO'S GRIP WILL BE BROKEN
IN CALIFORNIA WHERE G.M.O.
LABELING INITIATIVE IS ON THE
BALLOT.
HERE IN CONGRESS, MY
LEGISLATION, H.R. 3553, WILL
PROVIDE FOR A NATIONAL LABELING
BILL.
AMERICANS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW
IF THEIR FOOD IS GENETICALLY
ENGINEERED.
IT'S TIME FOR LABELING.
IT'S TIME FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW
HOW THEIR FOOD IS BEING
PRODUCED.
FOR
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE GENTLEMAN
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK UNANIMOUS
FOR ONE MINUTE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS IS
MR. SPEAKER, THE
UNITED STATES GRANTED PAKISTAN
MAJOR NONNATO ALLY STATUS TO
HELP US FIGHT AL QAEDA AND THE
TALIBAN.
THIS STATUS GIVES SPECIAL
FOREIGN AID AND DEFENSE
BENEFITS SUCH AS EXPEDITED ARMS
SALES PROCESS.
PAKISTAN HAS PROVED ITS NO
FRIEND TO AMERICA.
PAKISTAN SAID NO WHEN WE ASKED
IT TO GO AFTER THE TERRORIST
HAVENS.
PAKISTAN TWICE TIPPED OFF
TERRORISTS MAKING I.E.D.'S THAT
KILL AMERICANS.
PAKISTAN'S INTELLIGENCE ARM,
THE ISI, HELPED THE NETWORK, A
DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION, TO ATTACK OUR
EMBASSY.
PAKISTAN ARRESTED AND CONVICTED
THE DOCTOR WHO HELPED US LOCATE
OSAMA BIN LADEN, THE WORLD'S
NUMBER ONE TERRORIST.
I BELIEVE SOME OF THE MONEY
THAT WE HAVE GIVEN THEM GOES TO
THE TALIBAN, BUT PAKISTAN HAS
GIVEN US NO REASON TO TRUST
THEM.
THEY ARE A DISLOYAL ALLY.
A BENEDICT ARNOLD FRIEND.
I HAVE INTRODUCED H.R. 6391 TO
STRIP PAKISTAN OF ITS MAJOR
NONNATO ALLY STATUS.
WE DON'T NEED TO PAY PAKISTAN
TO BETRAY US.
THEY WILL DO IT FOR FREE.
THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.
WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLELADY FROM NORTH CAROLINA
SEEK RECOGNITION?
I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO
MINUTE.
THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
THE PRESIDENT HAS BURDENED THE
NATION WITH FOUR STRAIGHT YEARS
OF TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICITS AND
HAS ADDED MORE THAN $5 TRILLION
TO OUR NATIONAL DEBT.
HIS FAILED POLICIES HAVE DONE
NOTHING BUT MAKE OUR ECONOMY
WORSE.
NOW HE WANTS TO TURN OUR DEBT
CRISIS INTO A DEFENSE CRISIS.
THE PRESIDENT'S OWN SECRETARY
OF DEFENCE HAS SAID THE LOOMING
HALF TRILLION DOLLARS IN
DEFENSE CUTS WOULD, QUOTE,
HOLLOW OUT THE FORCE AND
INFLICT SEE CAREER DAMAGE TO
QUOTE.
SO FAR THE PRESIDENT HAS
REFUSED TO OFFER ANY
ALTERNATIVES WHATSOEVER.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS REMAIN
COMMITTED TO SLASHING SPENDING
AND REDUCING THE DEFICIT, BUT
NOT BY ARBITRARILY CUTTING
FUNDING THAT SUPPORTS OUR
TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THAT'S WHY WE PASS SPECIFIC
COMMONSENSE REFORMS TO REPLACE
THESE DANGEROUS CUTS.
IT'S TIME FOR THE PRESIDENT TO
HELP US RESCUE OUR NATION'S
DEFENDERS FROM THESE IMMINENT
CUTS BEFORE THEY TAKE EFFECT
AND OUR NATIONAL SECURITY IS
FURTHER COMPROMISED.
I YIELD BACK, MR. SPEAKER.
PURSUANT TO CLAUSE 8 OF RULE
20, THE CHAIR WILL POSTPONE
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS TODAY ON
MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES ON
WHICH A RECORDED VOTE OR THE
YEAS AND NAYS ARE ORDERED, OR
ON WHICH THE VOTE INCURS
OBJECTION UNDER CLAUSE 6 OF
RULE 20.
RECORD VOTES ON POSTPONED
QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN LATER.
FROTCHES THE GENTLEMAN FROM --
GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH SEEK
RECOGNITION?
MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE
TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS
H.R. 6060.
THE
THE BILL.
UNION CALENDAR
NUMBER 484, H.R. 6060.
A BILL TO AMEND PUBLIC LAW 10
-392, TO MAY TAIN ANNUAL BASE
FUNDING FOR THE UPPER COLORADO
AND SAN JUAN FISH RECOVERY
PROGRAMS THROUGH FISCAL YEAR
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH, MR.
BISHOP, AND THE GENTLEMAN FROM
ARIZONA, MR. GRIJALVA, EACH
WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH.
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK
UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ALL
MEMBERS MAY HAVE FIVE
LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND
EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND
INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIAL ON
THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
MR. SPEAKER, I
YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
THIS IS A GOOD
BILL.
IT'S GOT A GREAT SPONSOR.
YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR IT.
I RESERVE.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
THE GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA.
SPEAKER.
MAY CONSUME.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU.
H.R. 660 AUTHORIZES THE USE OF
POWER REVENUES TO FUND TWO
RECOVERY PROGRAMS IN THE UPPER
COLORADO AND SAN JUAN RIVERS.
SINCE 2011 RECLAMATION HAS
CONTINUED TO FUND THESE
PROGRAMS AT THE COST OF $2
MILLION ANNUALLY USING EXISTING
AUTHORITY.
WE SUPPORT THE INTENT OF H.R.
6060 TO RECOVER LISTED SPECIES
WHILE ALLOWING WATER AND POWER
OPERATIONS TO CONTINUE.
WE SHARE THE ADMINISTRATION'S
COMMITMENT TO THIS PROGRAM.
WE ALSO WELCOME THE MAJORITY'S
RECOGNITION THAT COMPLIANCE
WITH THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
DOES NOT MEAN THAT WATER AND
POWER PROJECTS IN THE WEST GO
DRY OR GO DARK.
THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES
PROJECTS.
THEE PROJECTS DELIVER MORE THAN
3.7 MILLION ACRE-FEET OF WATER
PER YEAR TO WYOMING, UTAH,
MEXICO.
WE ARE CONCERNED, HOWEVER, THAT
THE REPUBLICAN RULES ONLY ALLOW
FOR THE RE-AUTHORIZATION OF
THIS PROGRAM TO 2019.
THE ORIGINAL GOAL OF 23.
WHILL WE AGREE THIS LEGISLATION
SHOULD MOVE, IT SHOULD BE CLEAR
THAT AT LEAST ON OUR SIDE OF
THE AISLE OUR COMMITMENT TO
THIS PROGRAM THROUGH 2023 HAS
NOT CHANGED.
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES THE BALANCE
OF HIS TIME.
I'M PLEASED TO
YIELD TWO MINUTES TO MY
COLLEAGUE WHO SHARES A BORDER
WITH ME IN OUR DISTRICTS, THE
TIPTON.
GENTLEMAN FROM COLORADO IS
RECOGNIZED FOR TWO MINUTES.
I THANK CHAIRMAN
BISHOP FOR YIELDING.
CHAIRMAN BISHOP, I'D ALSO LIKE
TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP IN LEADING THE
EFFORTS ON THIS IMPORTANT PIECE
OF LEGISLATION.
THE UPPER COLORADO AND SAN JUAN
RIVER BASIN PROVIDE KEY WATER
AND POWER RESOURCES IN THE
THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF
AND OTHER DISTRICTS IN
COLORADO, WYOMING, UTAH,
ARIZONA, AND NEW MEXICO.
THESE RIVERS ARE ALSO HOME TO
NATIVE FISH SPECIES AT RISK OF
JEOPARDY FINDINGS UNDER THE
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.
SUCH A FINDING WOULD IMPOSE ON
WESTERN CONSTITUENTS DRAMATIC
LOSSES AND WATER AVAILABILITY
AND HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION AND
INCREASED POWER RATES AT A TIME
WHEN WE CAN LEAST SUPPORT IT.
EXTENDING AUTHORIZATION FOR
UNTER COLORADO AND SAN JUAN
FISH RECOVERY IMPLEMENTATION
PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE NECESSARY
EFFORTS TO RECOVER FOREIGN
ENDANGERED FISH SPECIES AND
PROVIDE ACT FOR FEDERAL,
TRIBAL, AND NONFEDERAL WATER
PROJECTS.
THESE PROGRAMS ARE SUPPORTED BY
A BROAD SWATH OF STAKEHOLDERS
FROM LOCAL TOWNS AND COUNTIES
FROM ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND
PRIVATE INDUSTRY.
AND EXCELLENT EXAMPLES OF LOCAL
SOLUTIONS IN LIEU OF ONEROUS
REGULATION.
I'M LAST PLEASED TO SEE THE
COST REFORMS IN THIS EXTENDED
AUTHORIZATION.
H.R. 6060 LIMITS OVERHEAD TO 3%
AND PROHIBITS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
FROM TRAVELING TO WASHINGTON,
D.C., TO LOBBY FOR THEIR
PROGRAMS.
ACTIVITIES WELL BEYOND THE
BOUNDS OF THEIR PURVIEW.
THESE COST SAVINGS AND THEIR
MEASURES WILL ALLOW FOR GREATER
ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES TO
SPECIES RECOVERY.
I'M OPTIMISTIC THESE PROGRAMS
CAN REACH THEIR GOALS IN THE
COMING YEARS, RECOVER THE
SPECIES IN JEOPARDY, AND
SAFEGUARD THE ECONOMIC
WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES,
JOBS, AND EVERYTHING CONNECTED
WITH THESE EFFORTS.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA.
I YIELD BACK THE
REMAINDER OF OUR TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH.
I THOUGHT I SHOULD
BE MORE EXPANSIVE IN MY
REMARKS.
THIS IS A REALLY GOOD BILL.
REALLY GOOD SPONSOR.
AND YOU -- THIS IS ONE OF THOSE
THINGS WHERE THE NICE PART IS
FOR THIS MITIGATION PLAN TO
ALLOW THESE PROJECTS TO GO
MONEY.
IT'S PAID BY THE UTILITY
RATEPAYERS OF THIS PARTICULAR
IF THIS IS NOT RE-AUTHORIZED IT
MAY PUT THAT PART IN JEOPARDY
AND WE DID PUT GUIDELINES IN
THERE TO PROTECT SO THE
OVERHEAD THAT CAN BE CHARGED
UTILITY RATEPAYERS HAVE
POTENTIAL LIMIT ON IT.
WITH THAT I URGE ITS ADOPTION.
I YIELD BACK.
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R.
SO MANY AS ARE IN FAVOR SAY
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
2/3 OF THOSE VOTING HAVING
RESPONDED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE,
THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE
BILL IS PASSED, AND WITHOUT
OBJECTION THE MOTION TO
TABLE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN SEEK RECOGNITION?
I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES
AND PASS H.R. 1461 AS
AMIPPEDED.
SPERO: THE CLERK WILL REPORT
THE TITLE.
TO ALLOW THE PASCUA
YAQUI TRIBE TO DETERMINE THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP IN
TRIBE.
SPERO: THE GENTLEMAN WILL
CONTROL 20 MINUTES.
I'M PLEASED TO
YIELD SUCH TIME AS HE MACON
SUME -- MR. BISHOP: I'M PLEASED
TO YIELD SUCH TIME AS HE MAY
CONSUME TO THE GENTLEMAN.
THIS BILL IS SIMPLE, IT
ALLOWS THEM TO TRANSFER THEIR
WATER RIGHTS UP TO 99 YEARS.
THE COURT DECEMBER SIDED THEY'D
HAVE THESE RIGHTS IN 1993, THIS
IS NONCONTROVERSIAL, IT DOES
THE RIGHT THING.
IT'S IMPORTANT, IT ALLOWS THE
TRIBE SELF-DETERMINATION AND
GIVES THEM ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITIES OF THE LEASING OF
THE WATER RIGHTS WILL PROVIDE
THEM WITH REVENUES THAT THEY
DESPERATELY NEED.
THIS WOULD ALLOW THE TRIBE TO
LEASE WATER TO COMMUNITIES THAT
ARE DESPERATELY NEEDING WATER
AT THIS POINT.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE TRIBES
AND TO NEW MEXICO AND I WOULD
RECOMMEND THAT ALL VOTE FOR
H.R. 1451 AND YIELD BACK THE
BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM ARIZONA.
I YIELD SMEIST
TOUCH TIME AS I MAY CONSUME.
I RISE IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1461,
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD
AUTHORIZE THE MESCALERO APACHE
TRIBE TO LEASE ITS LANDS,
THERE'S A TREMENDOUS NEED FOR
WATER IN SOUTH CENTRAL NEW
MEXICO AMONG THE TRIBE'S
NONINDIAN MAYBES -- NEIGHBORS.
THE TRIBE HAS APPROXIMATELY 320
ACRE-FEET OF WATER READY TO
LEASE TO SURROUNDING
COMMUNITIES.
REVENUE GENERATED BY THIS
LEASING WOULD BE USED TO FUND
BASIC TRIBAL GOVERNMENT
SERVICES SUCH AS A SENIOR CARE
DEVELOPMENT AND ACADEMIC
SCHOLARSHIPPED.
BECAUSE IT WAS QUANTIFIED BY
ADJUDICATION, LEGISLATION IS
NECESSARY TO ALLOW THEM TO
LEASE THIS WATER.
THIS WOULD ONLY MAKE THE
TRIBE'S VALUABLE RESOURCE
AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN IMMEDIATE
AND GIVE THE TRIBE A
MUCH-NEEDED SOURCE OF
GOVERNMENT REVENUE.
DURING THE SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING
ON THE BILL, THE ADMINISTRATION
EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT H.R.
1461 DID NOT LIMIT TRIBAL
AUTHORITY FOR LEASING WATER TO
OFF-RESERVATION LOCATIONS AND
THAT SUCH A CLARIFICATION WAS
NEEDED TO PREVENT POSSIBLE
OF STATE LAW TO
ON-REDSER VATION WATER LEASES.
COMMITTEE STAFF WORKED TOGETHER
TO AMEND H R. 1461 TO CLARIFY
THAT THE TRIBE'S AUTHORITIES
ARE LIMITED TO OFF-RESERVATION
WATER LEASES.
THE TRIBE CAN NOW BE ASSURED
THAT THE STATE LAW WILL NEVER
APPLY TO ON-RESERVATION WATER
LEASES PURSUANT TO H.R. 1461.
WE SUPPORT H.R. 1461 AND
RESERVE THE BALANCE OF OUR
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN RESERVES.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH.
COULD I INQUIRE IF
THERE ARE OTHER SPEAKERS --
NO, I DON'T.
THEN I'M READY TO
MAKE ONE FINAL STATEMENT.
I YIELD BACK.
THIS IS ONE OF
THOSE BILLS THAT THE MINORITY
AND MAJORITY WORKED TO CLARIFY
THAT THIS APPLIES TO OFF
RESERVATION WATER.
THEIR LEASING AUTHORITY STAYS
INTACT.
IT'S A TECHNICAL AMENDMENT THAT
IS APROVED BY ALL INTERESTED
MEMBERS.
I URGE ADOPTION AND YIELD BACK
THE PLANS OF MY TIME.
THE
QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R.
1461 AS AMENDED.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE,
THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE
BILL IS PASSED AND WITHOUT
RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE
TABLE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I MOVE TO SUSPEND
THE RULES AND PASS H R. 3319 AS
AMENDED.
THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE OF
THE BILL.
UNION CALENDAR
NUMBER 487, H. REFORM 3319, A
BILL TO ALLOW THE PASCUA YAQUI
TRIBE TO DETERMINE REQUIREMENTS
FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THAT TRIBE.
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH, MR. BISHOP
AND THE WELT FROM ARIZONA, MR.
GRIJALVA EACH WILL CONTROL 20
MINUTES.
I ASK UNANIMOUS
CONSENT THAT ALL MEMBERS HAVE
FIVE LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE
REMARKS AND
INCLUDE EXTRANEOUS MATERIALS.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
SINCE I COULD NOT
GET THROUGH ANY DISCUSSION OF
THIS PRONOUNCING THE TRIBE'S
NAME CORRECTLY, I YIELD 10
MINUTES TO THE GENTLEMAN TO
DISCUSS WHAT THIS BILL IS, HE
CAN PRONOUNCE IT PROPERLY.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
I RISE IN SUPPORT
OF H.R. 3319 A BILL TO
AUTHORIZE THE PASCUA YAQUI
TRIBE TO DETERMINE ITS OWN
CRITERIA THAT ARLT OFFICIALLY
LIMITED ENROLLMENT BASED ON
APPLICATION DEADLINES AND OTHER
REQUIREMENTS THAT DON'T REFLECT
TRIBAL INPUT.
THIS REFLECTS THE MODERN
CONGRESSIONAL POLICY OF
ALLOWING INDIAN TRIBES TO SET
THEIR OWN REQUIREMENTS FOR
MEMBERSHIP.
IT REQUIRES THAT A MEMBER
POSSESS ANY DEGREE OF INDIAN
TRIBE.
THE TO TRIBE HAS THE INHERENT
RIGHT TO DETERMINE ITS OWN
MEMBERSHIP WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS
IMPOSED BY THE FEDERAL
MR. SPEAKER, I ASK MY
COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE
PASSAGE OF 3319 AND I YIELD
BACK THE REMAINDER OF OUR TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM UTAH.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
AS -- THE HOUSE PASSED A BILL
SIMILAR TO THIS ON TRIBAL
MEMBERSHIP THAT RECOGNIZED A
TRIBE IN TEXAS LAST YEAR SO
THERE IS PRECEDENT FOR THIS
EVENT.
I WOULD THEREFOR HAVE NO
OBJECTION TO THE PASSING OF
THIS RESOLUTION TODAY AND URGE
PEOPLE TO SUPPORT IT AND WITH
THAT, I YIELD BACK THE
REMAINING TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK.
THE QUESTION IS WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS H.R.
3319 AS AMENDED?
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE,
THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE
BILL IS PASS AND WITHOUT
OBJECTION THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE
TABLE.
FRUP
DOES THE GENTLELADY FROM
FLORIDA SEEK RECOGNITION?
I MOVE THAT THE
HOUSE --
I MOVE THAT
THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND
AGREE TO H.RES. 786.
THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
HOUSE RESOLUTION
786, HONORING THE FOUR UNITED
STATES PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO DIED
IN LIBYA AND CONDEMNING THE
ATTACKS ON THE UNITED STATES
DIPLOMATIC FACILITIES IN LIBYA,
EGYPT, AND YEMEN.
THE
GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA, MS.
ROS-LEHTINEN, AND THE GENTLEMAN
WILL EACH CONTROL 20 MINUTES.
I ASK THAT
ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE
LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND
EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INSERT
MEASURE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
I YIELD
MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
CONSUME.
THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
I WANT TO
THANK LEADER PELOSI, LEADER
CANTOR AND OTHERS FOR
SPEARHEADING THIS ATTACK.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE
WITH THE FAMILIES OF CHRIS
STEVENS, SEAN SMITH, TYRONE
WOODS, AND GLEN DOHERTY, AND
ATTACKS.
ON THE 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001,
RADICAL ISLAMISTS ATTACKED THE
UNITED STATES EMBASSY IN
BENGHAZI AND OUR AMBASSADOR AND
THREE OTHER STATE DEPARTMENT
PERSONNEL WERE MURDERED.
CONCURRENTLY IN CAIRO, OUR U.S.
EMBASSY THERE WAS ASSAULTED BY
A MOB OF EXTREMISTS WHO
BREACHED ITS WALLS AND
DESECRATED OUR AMERICAN FLAG.
SINCE THAT FATEFUL DAY, MR.
SPEAKER, WE HAVE WITNESSED A
DRAMATIC ESCALATION OF
ANTI-AMERICAN PROTESTS AND
ACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE REGION
FROM ASSAULTING THE EMBASSY IN
TUNIS TO THE ATTACK ON
THE SINAI.
THE PREMISE THAT THE VIOLENCE
AND PROTESTS ARE SOLELY BASED
ON THAT OBSCURE HATEFUL VIDEO
IS PATENTLY FALSE.
RATHER, IT IS SYMPTOMATIC OF A
BROADER EFFORT BY OUR ENEMIES
IN THE REGION TO FOMENT HATRED
OF THE UNITED STATES.
YET THERES. HAITIAN --
HESITATION ON THE PART OF THIS
ADMINISTRATION AND THE
SCHIZOPHRENIA IN RESPONSE TO
THIS LATEST CRISIS IS A CAUSE
FOR CONCERN.
THE U.S. HAS NOTHING FOR WHICH
TO APOLOGIZE, INCLUDING THE
EXERCISE OF FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION.
SURRENDERING OUR PRINCIPLES
BEFORE AN UNRULY MOB WILL ONLY
EMBOLDEN THE LIKES OF AL QAEDA
AND REINFORCE THE NOTION THAT
MORE ATTACKS AGAINST THE UNITED
STATES WILL CHANGE CORE
AMERICAN POLICIES AND AMERICAN
PRINCIPLES.
THE PERPETRATORS OF THE ATTACKS
MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY OUR
ALLIES IN THE REGION AND THE
ADMINISTRATION MUST TAKE THE
LEAD.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHATSOEVER
FOR ATTACKING DIPLOMATIC
MISSIONS AND MURDERING
DIPLOMATS.
THE ADMINISTRATION MUST PLACE
THE GOVERNMENT ON NOTICE THAT
THEIR CONDUCT DURING THIS
CRISIS WILL DETERMINE THE
NATURE OF OUR RELATIONS MOVING
FORWARD.
THE LIBYAN AND YES, MA'AMNY
GOVERNMENT HAVE BOTH APOLOGIZED
FOR AND STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE
ATTACKS ON U.S. DIPLOMATIC
POSTS IN THEIR HOST COUNTRIES.
THEY HAVE BEEN FULLY
COOPERATING WITH US.
BY CONTRAST, THE EGYPTIAN
GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER A DAY TO
ISSUE A WEAK STATEMENT
DISCOURAGING VIOLENCE AGAINST
FOREIGN EMBASSIES, BUT IT WAS,
ALAS, TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.
THIS CANNOT HAPPEN AGAIN AND
CONGRESS WILL BE CLOSELY
MONITORING THE ONGOING PROTESTS
AND REASSESSING OUR ASSISTANCE
PACKAGES AND OUR APPROACHES
BASED ON THE RESPONSES OF THESE
GOVERNMENTS TO ASSAULTS ON OUR
EMBASSIES AND OUR INSTITUTIONS.
THE LACK OF A FIRM RESPONSE
WILL UNDERMINE OUR U.S.
INTERESTS IN THE REGION.
WE MUST CLEARLY ARTICULATE AND
IMPLEMENT A POLICY THAT REWARDS
OUR ALLIES, ENCOURAGES MODERATE
FORCES WITHIN THE REGION, AND
PUNISHES OUR ENEMIES.
AT THIS CRITICAL MOMENT, MR.
SPEAKER, THE UNITED STATES MUST
AFFIRM SUPPORT TO OUR FRIENDS
AND ALLIES AND CLEARLY
DIFFERENTIATE THEM FROM OUR
ENEMIES.
THE UNITED STATES MUST CONTINUE
FOR AMERICAN VALUES
AND STAND WITH THE VOICES OF
MODERATION.
WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I
RESERVE THE BALANCE OF OUR
TIME.
THE
GENTLELADY'S TIME IS RESERVED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.
I RISE IN SUPPORT OF
THIS RESOLUTION, HONORING
AMBASSADOR CHRIS STEVENS, SEAN
SMITH, TYRONE WOODS AND GLEN
DOHERTY, FOUR PATRIOTIC
AMERICANS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES
IN A HORRIBLE ATTACK IN
BENGHAZI, LIBYA.
THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE STATE
DEPARTMENT ASSUME GREAT RISKS
IN DANGEROUS LOCATIONS AROUND
THE WORLD.
THEY PROMOTE DEMOCRACY, BUILD
CIVIL SOCIETY, EDUCATE,
MEDIATE, NEGOTIATE, AN DEFEND
U.S. INTERESTS WORLDWIDE.
THEY ARE THE FACE OF AMERICA
ABROAD AND OUR COUNTRY IS
SAFER, FREER, AND MORE
PROSPEROUS BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY
AMBASSADOR STEVENS WAS ONE OF
OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST AND MOST
HE SERVED IN ISRAEL, EGYPT,
SAUDI ARABIA, BUT LIBYA BECAME
THE SEPTRE PIECE AND DEFINING
MISSION OF HIS CAREERMENT HE
WAS ON THE GROUND IN BENGHAZI
LEADING U.S. DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS
REVOLUTION.
HE WORKED TIRELESSLY ON BEHALF
OF U.S.-LIBYAN RELATIONS AND
THE WELL-BEING OF U.S. CITIZENS
LIVING IN LIBYA.
I AM PARTICULARLY ANGRY THAT
THIS SICKENING ATTACK OCCURRED
IN A COUNTRY THAT THE U.S.
WHICH IS CHRIS STEVENS BELIEVED
IN DID SO MUCH TO LIBERATE.
HE WILL BE MISSED FOR HIS
KNOWLEDGE OF THE MIDDLE EAST,
HIS EXEMPLARY COMMITMENT TO
SERVICE, WARM AND WELCOMING
PERSONALITY, AND BASIC HUMAN
DECENTCY.
SEAN WAS A FATHER AND 10-YEAR
VETERAN OF THE U.S. STATE
PRIOR TO ARRIVING IN BENGHAZI,
HE SERVED IN BRUSSELS, BAGHDAD,
PRETORIA, MONTREAL, AND THE
HAGUE.
GLEN DOHERTY WAS A FORMER NAVY
SEAL FROM BOSTON.
HE WAS KILLED WHILE SERVING ON
THE AMBASSADOR'S SECURITY
DETAIL AND HELPING TO EVACUATE
THE WOUNDED.
TYRONE WOODS SPENT TWO DECADES
AS A SEAL, WAS THE FATHER OF
THREE, AND HAD WORKED
PROTECTING DIPLOMATS IN
DANGEROUS POSTS FOR THE PAST
TWO YEARS.
MR. SPEAKER, OUR THOUGHTS AND
PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILIES
OF ALL THE DEDICATED PUBLIC
SERVANTS WHOSE LIVES WERE LOST.
LIBYA OWES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THIS
INCIDENT IN COMPLETE
COOPERATION WITH U.S.
THE KILLERS MUST BE FOUND AND
BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.
I STAND BY READY TO ASSIST IN
ANY WAY I CAN.
WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, I
RESERVE THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME VOIFED.
THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA.
I WILL
TIME.
THE
RESERVE.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.
YES.
I THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
I YIELD FIVE MINUTES TO THE
GENTLEMAN FROM OHIO, MR.
KUCINICH.
THE
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I CERTAINLY JOIN
WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN MOURNING
THE PASSING UNDER TRAGIC
CIRCUMSTANCES OF AMBASSADOR
STEVENS, AS WELL AS THE DEATHS
OF SEAN SMITH AND SECURITY
OFFICERS TYRONE WOODS AND GLEN
DOHERTY.
AS WELL AS ALL THOSE WHO WERE
INJURED.
I THINK ALL OF US CAN AGREE
THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO
AMBASSADOR STEVENS AND THE REST
OF THE DIPLOMATIC STAFF SHOULD
CONCERN EVERYONE, CONCERN ALL
AMERICANS.
THESE ATTACKS WERE WRONG.
AND IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT WE
HONOR AMBASSADOR STEVENS.
THE RESOLUTION AS I READ IT IS
NOT COMPLETE, THOUGH, BECAUSE
THIS DISCUSSION THAT WE ARE
HAVING HERE ON THE FLOOR IS
MISSING SOME ELEMENTS AND I'D
LIKE TO BRING THEM FORWARD
NOW.
WE HAVE TO ASK THE QUESTION,
WHY WAS THE CONSULATE IN
BENGHAZI, LIBYA, SO LIGHTLY
DEFENDED TO BEGIN WITH?
DID ANYONE KNOW THAT BENGHAZI
WAS STILL A FLASH POINT?
I MEAN WE OVERTHREW THE
GOVERNMENT.
DID ANYONE KNOW THAT WHEN THE
GOVERNMENT FELL THAT AL QAEDA'S
FLAG WAS FLYING OVER BENGHAZI?
DID ANYONE KNOW ABOUT AL
QAEDA'S PRESENCE IN LIBYA THAT
CAME AFTER THE WAR THAT WOULD
HAVE BEEN A CONSTANT FACTOR TO
BE MINDFUL OF WITH RESPECT TO
PROTECTING THOSE WHO SERVE.
WHY WASN'T MORE CARE GIVEN?
TO PROTECT U.S. PERSONNEL.
IS, THERE
WERE WARNINGS IN DIPLOMATIC
CIRCLES, SPECIFICALLY WITH
RESPECT TO LIBYA, BECAUSE OF
THE FERMENT THAT HAS BEEN GOING
ON IN THE BROADER MUSLIM WORLD.
THESE ARE CONCERNS THAT SHOULD
BE DISCUSSED BY THE CONGRESS.
DOESN'T TAKE AWAY ANYTHING FROM
THE SACRIFICE THAT WAS GIVEN.
BUT WE HAVE TO ASK SOME
QUESTIONS HERE.
WE ALSO HAVE TO BE AWARE THAT
U.S. POLICY IN LIBYA IS MURKY
AT BEST AND HUGE MISTAKE AT
WORST.
WE HAVE DEBATES ON THIS FLOOR
ABOUT LIBYA.
AND WE KNOW THAT CONGRESS WAS
NOT CONSULTED.
THE CURRENT ISSUE OF VANITY
FAIR IS WORTH THE ATTENTION OF
EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS
BECAUSE IT MADE IT ABUNDANTLY
CLEAR ON WHAT IS A PRIME
CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF CONGRESS, ARTICLE 1, SECTION
8, THE POWER TO DECLARE WAR WAS
ESSENTIALLY USURPED BY THE
THIS IS NOT A SMALL MATTER.
WOULD WE HAVE BEEN IN LIBYA IF
CONGRESS HAD HAD AN UP FRONT
VOTE IMMEDIATELY?
TWO DAYS AGO WE CELEBRATED
CONSTITUTION DAY.
ARE WE CELEBRATING THE
CONSTITUTION EVERY DAY OR JUST
ONE DAY?
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR NOT
FOG THE CONSTITUTION.
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR
CITIZENS HERE AT HOME AND
CITIZENS ABROAD.
AND THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT UP
IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS DEBATE.
WE CANNOT PRETEND THAT UNITED
STATES POLICY, WHICH OFTEN
LACKS CONGRESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
, WITH DROUGHNS FLYING OVER
YEMEN AND SOMALIA AND PAKISTAN
AND AFGHANISTAN AND INNOCENT
KILLED THAT THERE IS NOT GOING
BLOWBACK OR BACKLASH.
IT IS WRONG FOR ANY OF OUR
PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR LIVES ON
THE LINE WHERE THEY LOSE THEIR
LIFE.
AND I STAND HERE TODAY IN
SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION ONLY
BECAUSE I WANT TO BE ON RECORD
AS JOINING MY COLLEAGUES ON
THIS MATTER OF MAKING SURE THAT
WE PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHOSE
LIVES WERE PUT ON THE LINE FOR
THIS COUNTRY.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU.
WE CANNOT IG MORE THE DEEPER
QUESTIONS HERE -- IGNORE THE
DEEPER QUESTIONS HERE.
WHY WASN'T THAT CONSULATE WELL
DEFENDED?
WE CANNOT IGNORE THE QUESTION,
WHY WASN'T CONGRESS CONSULTED?
ON THE DECISION TO DID TO -- GO
TO WAR AGAINST LIBYA?
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR
THESE THINGS.
THE WHOLE COUNTRY SHOULD MOURN
AMBASSADOR STEVENS' DEATH AND
THE DEATH OF ALL THOSE WHO
PROUDLY SERVE THIS COUNTRY WHO
WERE TAKEN IN THIS FIT OF
OUTRAGE THAT SWEPT ACROSS
LIBYA, BUT WE NEED TO REMEMBER
A FEW OTHER THINGS, TOO, ABOUT
HOW WE GOT THERE AND WHY THOSE
PEOPLE WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON
THE LINE TO SERVE, WHY THEIR
LIVES WERE PUT IN JEOPARDY.
TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN'S TIME HAS EXPIRED.
THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA.
MR. SPEAKER.
I'M SO PLEASED TO YIELD ONE
MINUTE TO OUR ESTEEMED MAJORITY
LEADER, MR. CANTOR, THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM VIRGINIA IS
RECOGNIZED FOR ONE MINUTE.
I THANK THE SPEAKER
AND THANK THE GENTLELADY FOR
HER LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING THIS
RESOLUTION FORWARD.
MR. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY IN
SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION TO
CONDEMN THE VIOLENCE AGAINST
OUR DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN
LIBYA, EGYPT, YEMEN, AND
ELSEWHERE.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND HONOR THE
PERSONAL SACRIFICE OF THE BRAVE
AMERICANS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION.
U.S. AMBASSADOR CHRIS STEVENS,
FOREIGN SERVICE INFORMATION
OFFICER SEAN SMITH,
AND SECURITY OFFICERS TYRONE
WOODS AND GLEN DOHERTY
TRAGICALLY LOST THEIR LIVES FAR
FROM HOME IN BENGHAZI, LIBYA,
WHERE THEY WERE PROMOTING
AMERICAN INTERESTS AND HELPING
THE LIBYAN PEOPLE SECURE THE
REVOLUTION.
THESE HEROES DIED UPHOLDING THE
LIBERTY, DEMOCRACY, AND
MODERATION WE VALUE AS A
NATION.
IN THE WAKE OF THEIR JOBS AND
ONGOING PROTESTS AND VIOLENCE,
AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW WHAT OUR
STRATEGY IS FOR PROTECTING OUR
DIPLOMATS, OUR INTERESTS, AND
OUR VALUES IN A REGION THAT IS
UNDERGOING A PROFOUND AND
UNFORTUNATELY SOMETIMES VIOLENT
POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION.
AMERICANS ARE RIGHTLY WORRIED
ABOUT THE ANTI-AMERICANISM AND
ISLAMIC EXTREMISM THAT HAS
REARED ITS HEAD.
I SHARE THE CONCERN THAT
AMERICANS HAVE ABOUT THE
SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
AND I BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT
SHOULD EXPLAIN HIS STRATEGY FOR
NAVIGATING THE UNCERTAIN WATERS
BUT I KNOW THAT ONE POLICY WE
MUST NOT PURSUE IS TO TURN OUR
BACK ON THIS TROUBLED REGION.
WITHDRAWING FROM THE REGION
WOULD EMBOLDEN THE EXTREMISTS
AND JUSTIFY OSAMA BIN LADEN'S
STRATEGY LEAVING THE MODERATES
WHO SHARE OUR VALUES AND WHO
DESIRE DEMOCRACY TO COMBAT THE
FORCES OF VIOLENCE ALONE.
WE ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT.
FROM MOROCCO TO INDONESIA THERE
ARE BRAVE MUSLIMS WHO OPPOSE
VIOLENCE, WHO DESIRE GOOD
RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED
STATES, WHO RESPECT RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM, AND WHO RISK THEIR
LIVES BY PREACHING TOLERANCE
WE SHOULD REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS
TO STAND WITH THESE MUSLIMS WHO
TO PROTECT A GREAT
RELIGION FROM BEING SUBVERTED
BY EXTREMISTS.
WE SHOULD NOT ABANDON LIBYA
BECAUSE TERRORISTS SEEK TO
UNDERMINE A GOVERNMENT THAT IS
MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS
ESTABLISHING A DEMOCRACY AND
THAT IS JOINING THE FIGHT
AGAINST TERRORISM.
EGYPT'S DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION
IS UNFINISHED AND MUCH WORK
REMAINS TO ENSURE THAT ITS
FIRST ELECTION IS NOT ITS LAST.
WE SHOULD WORK WITH EGYPT'S
LEADERS TO HELP BUILD A
DEMOCRACY THAT RESPECTS
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, WOMEN, AND
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, WHILE BEING
CLEAR THAT WE WILL NOT TOLERATE
POLICIES THAT GIVE ANY GROUND
TO TERRORISTS OR UNDERMINE OUR
SECURITY OR THAT OF OUR ALLY,
ISRAEL.
AMERICAN ASSISTANCE IS NOT
ANONYMITY AND CONGRESS EXPECTS
EGYPT'S NEW LEADERS TO RESPECT
THE PARAMETERS AND CONDITIONS
GENEROUS AID.
AMERICA MUST NOT ABANDON ITS
PARTNERS JUST AS WE SHOULD NOT
APOLOGIZE FOR OUR PERCEIVED
SINS.
WE MUST DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP.
WE SHOULD LEAD A COALITION
AGAINST THE RAD CAL MULLAHS IN
IRAN WHO FOMENT INSTABILITY AND
REGION.
AMERICA SHOULD COMBAT IRAN'S
SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM AND
THWART ITS ASPIRATIONS FOR
NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
AMERICA SHOULD BE LEADING AN
INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO BRING
OVERWHELMING PRESSURE ON THE
ASSAD REGIME IN SYRIA TO END
ONCE AND FOR ALL ITS STATE
SPONSORSHIP OF TERRORISM AND
BRING ABOUT A NEW GOVERNMENT IN
SYRIA BEFORE THAT SOCIETY
FRACTURES BEYOND REPAIR.
MR. SPEAKER, AMERICA HAS LONG
BEEN A FORCE FOR GOOD AND
STABILITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
WHEN WE HAVE RETREATED IN THE
PAST FROM PLAYING THIS ROLE, WE
HAVE PAID DEARLY.
WITHDRAWING FROM LEBANON IN THE
1980'S CEDED OUR COUNTRY TO
SYRIA AND HEZBOLLAH.
FAILING TO RESPOND TO AL
QAEDA'S ATTACK IN THE 1990'S
LED OSAMA BIN LADEN TO BELIEVE
HE COULD ATTACK THE AMERICAN
HOMELAND.
THE EXTREMISTS IN THE REGION
BELIEVE TODAY AS BIN LADEN
BELIEVED THEN, THAT WE DO NOT
HAVE THE STOMACH TO DEFEND OUR
FRIENDS AND OUR INTEREST.
THAT WE WILL ABANDON THE MIDDLE
EAST.
WE MUST PROVE THEM WRONG BY
RESPONDING TO THIS CHALLENGE
WITH PURPOSE AND STRENGTH.
WE MUST STAND WITH OUR FRIENDS
AND HOLD OUR ENEMIES TO
I YIELD BACK.
THE
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.
I HAVE NO FURTHER
SPEAKERS.
I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY
TIME.
GENTLEMAN YIELDS BACK THE
BALANCE OF HIS TIME.
THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA.
MR. SPEAKER.
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I
MAY CONSUME.
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
MR. SPEAKER,
IN CLOSING I WOULD LIKE TO
REINFORCE A FEW POINTS.
FIRST OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
ARE WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE
AMERICAN DIPLOMATS MURDERED IN
LIBYA AS WE STAND WITH THEM IN
THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
SECONDLY, THERE IS NO EXCUSE
WHATSOEVER FOR ATTACKING
DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND
MURDERING DIPLOMATS.
THIRD, THE U.S. HAS NOTHING FOR
WHICH TO APOLOGIZE.
LET US NOT APOLOGIZE FOR THE
EXERCISE OF FREEDOM OF
EXPRESSION.
THE PERPETRATORS OF THESE
ATTACKS MUST BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE.
FINALLY, THE UNITED STATES
CONGRESS WILL BE REASSESSING
OUR ASSISTANCE PACKAGES BASED
ON THE RESPONSES OF THE VARIOUS
AFFECTED GOVERNMENTS TO ASSAULT
ON OUR EMBASSIES AND OUR
INSTITUTIONS.
NOTHING CAN JUSTIFY THE
TERRORIST ATTACKS CARRIED OUT
AGAINST OUR FELLOW AMERICANS
AND OUR DIPLOMATIC POSTS AND
WORLD.
THE AMERICANS KILLED WERE
COMMITTED TO HELPING THE LIBYAN
PEOPLE, COMMITTED TO HELP THEM
SECURE A BETTER, MORE STABLE,
MORE PEACEFUL FUTURE.
RADICALS, THE RADICALS WHO
SEEK TO HYDROGEN -- HIJACK SUCH
FREEDOM, SECURITY, AND
PROSPERITY FROM THE PEOPLE OF
THE MIDDLE EAST AND IN NORTH
AFRICA, THOSE WHO DENY THEIR
OWN PEOPLE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS
AND UNIVERSAL FREEDOM, ANSWER
OUR DEDICATION AND OUR
COMMITMENT OF THESE COURAGEOUS
AMERICANS BY BURNING OUR
MISSION AND KILLING OUR
DIPLOMATS.
LET US BE CLEAR.
NO APOL GAYS ARE NEEDED.
TO PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE
MIDEAST, NORTH AFRICA AND THE
WORLD, THE UNITED STATES AND
OUR PERSONNEL OVERSEAS STAND
WITH YOU.
WE STAND FOR FREEDOM, DESPITE
THE THREAT FROM EXTREMIST
ELEMENTS AND WITH THAT, I YIELD
BACK THE BALANCE OF OUR TIME.
THE
QUESTION IS, WILL THE HOUSE
SUSPEND THE RULES AND AGREE TO
HOUSE RESOLUTION 786.
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, NO.
IN THE OPINION OF THE CHAIR,
2/3'S BEING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE,
THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED, THE
RESOLUTION IS AGREED TO AND
WITHOUT OBJECTION THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER IS LAID ON THE
TABLE.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES THE
GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA SEEK
RECOGNITION?
I MOVE THAT
THE HOUSE SUSPEND THE RULES AND
AGREE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 3783
AS AMENDED.
THE
CLERK WILL REPORT THE TITLE.
H.R. 3783, A BILL TO
PROVIDE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE
STRATEGY TO COUNTER IRAN'S
GROWING PRESENCE IN THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE.
PURSUANT TO THE RULE, THE THE
GENTLELADY FROM NEW YORK, MS.
-- FROM FLORIDA, MS.
ROS-LEHTINEN AND THE GENTLEMAN
FROM NEW YORK, MR. ENGEL, EACH
WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES.
ALL MEMBERS HAVE FIVE
LEGISLATIVE DAYS TO REVISE AND
EXTEND THEIR REMARKS AND INSERT
RECORD ON THIS MEASURE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION.
I YIELD
MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I MAY
THE
GENTLELADY IS RECOGNIZED.
I RISE TODAY
IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 3783, THE
COUNTERING IRAN IN THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE ACT OF 2012,
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE
DUNCAN, AN ESTEEMED MEMBER OF
THE CURRENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HIM FOR
HIS HARD WORK.
IN FEBRUARY, THE COMMITTEE ON
FOREIGN AFFAIRS HELD A HEARING
TITLED AHMADINEJAD: TOUR OF
TYRANTS, AND IRAN'S THREAT IN
THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE TO
EXAMINE THE THREAT POSED BY
IRAN IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
ONE MONTH LATER, THIS
BIPARTISAN MEASURE WAS
UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED BY OUR
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
AS WE HAVE WITNESSED IN THE
LAST FEW WEEKS, THE VIOLENCE
PERPETRATED BY EXTREMISTS IN
THE MIDEAST AGAINST OUR
EMBASSIES AND OUR CONSULATE
UNDERMINE OUR FOREIGN POLICY
OBJECTIVES AND WE MUST PREVENT
THESE VICIOUS ATTACKS FROM
OCCURRING IN OUR REGION.
LET US NOT FORGET THAT 18 YEARS
AGO, IRANIAN SO-CALLED
DIPLOMATS READILY PARTNERED
WITH HEZBOLLAH, A U.S.
DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION, TO CARRY OUT A
DEADLY ATTACK AGAINST THE
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENT FOR THE
BUENOS IS ARE, ARGENTINA.
IRAN HAS ONLY INCREASED ITS
SUBVERSIVE ACTION SINCE THEN
AND OVER THE PAST DECADE, THE
REGIME HAS INCREASED DIPLOMATIC
AND ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN IRAN
AND THE RADICAL REGIMES IN
LATIN AMERICA.
IRAN'S AHMADINEJAD MADE TWO
TRIPS TO LATIN AMERICA THIS
YEAR TO VISIT HIS FELLOW
TYRANTS, THE CASTRO BROTHERS IN
CUE BARK ORTEGA IN NICK RAH GA,
CORREA IN ECUADOR, CHAVEZ IN
VENEZUELA AND MORALES IN
BOLIVIA.
IRANIAN REGIME RECENTLY
LAUNCHED A SPANISH TELEVISION
NETWORK TO REACH A LARGER
INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE CENTERED
IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
MORE EMBASSIES AND CULTURAL
CENTERS HAVE OPENED IN BOLIVIA,
ECUADOR, NICARAGUA, CHILE AND
URUGUAY.
IN ADDITION TO ITS EXISTING
DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN CUBA,
ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, MEXICO AND
VENEZUELA.
ACCORDING TO U.S. INTELLIGENCE
ANALYSTS, THESE DIPLOMATIC
MISSIONS ARE FRONTS FOR IRAN TO
CARRY OUT ITS NEFARIOUS
ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION.
ACCORDING TO MEDIA REPORTS,
HEZBOLLAH, WHICH IS IRAN'S
PROXY, HAS ESTABLISHED A
TRAINING BASE IN NICARAGUA.
CONCERNING THAT THE
ORTEGA REGIME IN NICARAGUA DOES
NOT REQUIRE ANY VISAS FOR
IRANIAN OFFICIALS TO ENTERING
THE -- TO ENTER THE COUNTRY
WHICH CAN THEN BECOME THE
GATEWAY TO ENTER THE UNITED
STATES THROUGH OUR SOUTHERN
BORDER.
10 DAYS AGO, THERE WERE NEWS
REPORTS STATING THAT SEVERAL
ALLEGED HEZBOLLAH MEMBERS WERE
ARRESTED IN MEXICO.
IRAN HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO
PROMOTE ITS EXTREMIST
IDEOLOGIES AND SUPPORT EFFORTS
TO UNDERMINE THE DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNMENTS THROUGHOUT THE
REGION.
H.R. 3783 REQUIRES THE
SECRETARY OF STATE TO OUTLINE A
U.S. GOVERNMENT-WIDE STRATEGY
TO FIGHT THE AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS
OF IRAN AND ITS PROXIES SUCH AS
HEZBOLLAH IN THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE TOWARD A
COMPREHENSIVE POLICY STANCE
THAT WILL PROTECT U.S. SECURITY
INTERESTS.
THIS LEGISLATION ALSO CALLS FOR
THE ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP A
PLAN TO SECURE THE U.S. BORDERS
WITH CANADA AND MEXICO AND
PREVENT OPERATIVES FROM
ENTERING THE UNITED STATES.
IT ALSO CALLS FOR A PLAN TO
ISOLATE IRAN AND ITS SPONSORS
FROM THEIR SOURCE OF FINANCIAL
SUPPORT AND ADDRESSES EFFORTS
BY FOREIGN PERSONS, ENTITIES
AND GOVERNMENTS IN THE REGION
THAT MAY BE ASSISTING IRAN IN
EVADING SANCTIONS.
LASTLY, IT ALSO DEVELOPS A PLAN
TO PROTECT U.S. INTERESTS AND
ASSETS IN OUR WESTERN
HEMISPHERE, INCLUDING
EMBASSIES, CONSULATES,
BUSINESSES, AND CULTURAL
ORGANIZATIONS.
WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE UNITED
STATES IS ACTIVELY MONITORING
THIS THREAT AND TAKES
APPROPRIATE STEPS TO COUNTERER
THE IRANIAN REGIME'S AGENDA IN
OUR HEMISPHERE.
I STRONGLY SUPPORT PASSAGE OF
THIS LEGISLATION AND WITH THAT,
MR. SPEAKER, I RESERVE THE
BALANCE OF OUR TIME.
THE
GENTLELADY'S TIME IS RESERVED.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I YIELD MYSELF SUCH TIME AS I
MAY CONSUME.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED.
I RISE IN STRONG
SUPPORT OF H.R. 3783, THE
COUNTERING IRAN IN THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE ACT OF 2012.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR
OF THIS LEGISLATION, MR.
DUNCAN, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, MS.
ROS-LEHTINEN, FOR THEIR
LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE.
THIS BILL MAKES AVAILABLE $1
MILLION OF COUNTERNARCOTICS
FUNDING FOR THE STATE
DEPARTMENT TO GENERATE AN
ASSESSMENT OF THE CHALLENGE
POSE TOURD COUNTRY BY IRAN'S
PRESENT AND HOSTILE ACTIVITY IN
THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE AS WELL
AS A STRATEGY TO ADDRESS
WHATEVER THREAT WE FACE FROM
THE IRANIAN REGIME.
TEHRAN'S PURSUIT OF NUCLEAR
WEAPONS CAPABILITY, ITS
CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR
INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST AND ITS
ABUSE OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS
REQUIRE THE UNITED STATES TO
MAINTAIN EXTREME VIGILANCE IN
MONITORING AND COUNTERING ITS
THREATS AROUND THE WORLD.
THOUGH OUR GOAL HAS NOT YET
BEEN REALIZED, THANKS TO THE
LEADERSHIP OF CONGRESS AND THE
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, MORE
PRESSURE HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE
IRANIAN REGIME THAN EVER
BEFORE.
WHILE IRAN'S BEHAVIOR POSES A
CLEAR AND OBVIOUS DANGER TO ITS
OWN PEOPLE, ITS PRESENCE CLOSER
TO OUR SHORES ALSO DESERVES
WATCHFUL ATTENTION.
THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
HAS HEARD SIGNIFICANT SYSTEM ON
THIS ISSUE FROM BOTH
ADMINISTRATION AND PRIVATE
SOURCES, AND IN MY CAPACITY OF
FIRST CHAIRMAN AND NOW RANKING
MEMBER OF THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, I
THINK THERE'S AMPLE EVIDENCE
THAT IRAN IS UP TO NO GOOD IN
THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD
AHMADINEJAD HAS OPENLY AND
DEFIANTLY SIGNALED IN THE U.S.
IN HIS SIX TRIPS TO OUR
HEMISPHERE THAT HE'S TROLLING
FOR FRIENDS.
SEEM WHAT IS HE PLACES ON
THE TABLE OF COUNTRY HE IS
VISITS IS UNMET PROMISES, IT'S
IMPORTANT THAT THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT REMAIN VIGILANT AND
DIG MUCH DEEPER INTO THE NATURE
AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE
IRANIAN REGIME ABS.
NONE OF THIS OCCURS IN THE --
IN A VACUUM.
IRAN WAS COMPLICIT IN THE
BOMBINGS IN BUENOS AIRES AND
THE BOMBING OF A JEWISH
COMMUNITY CENTER IN BUENOS
AIRES I HAVE VISITED ON MANY
OCCASIONS.
THIS HAPPENED IN THE FIRST HALF
OF THE 1990'S.
IT CAN BE SAID THE FIRST
TERRORIST ATTACKS ON LATIN
AMERICAN SOIL HAPPENED WITH
IRAN IN CONTROL.
YET EVIDENCE OF IRAN'S
INCREASING WILLINGNESS TO
CONDUCT AN ATTACK ON U.S. SOIL
SUCH AS A TWISTED PLOT TO
IN WASHINGTON.
WE MUST BE ALERT TO CIRCUMVENT
SANCTIONS AND EFFORTS TO CURRY
FAVORS WITH OUR NEIGHBORS TO
LOOSEN THOSE SANCTIONS.
WE SHOULD CAN'T TO MONITOR
INTELLIGENCE LINKS AND WATCH
THE IRANIAN DIPLOMATIC CORPS
GIVEN ITS HISTORIC INVOLVEMENT
IN NEFARIOUS ACT.
WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE CHAOTIC
NEXUS OF DRUG MONEY AND
TERRORISM IN THIS COUNTRY.
FINALLY IT'S IMPORTANT TO
EXPRESS THAT MY SUPPORT FOR
THIS LEGISLATION IS NOT IN ANY
WAY AN INDICATION THAT THE
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT
TAKEN THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY.
THE PRESIDENT HAS HIMSELF
STATED THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION
WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR IRAN'S
ACTIVITIES IN THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE CLOSELY AND I HAVE
PERSONALLY ENGAGED ENOUGH
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS TO BE
PERSUADED THAT THEY UNDERSTAND
THEGRAPH I HAVE TO THE
SITUATION AND ARE GIVING IT THE
ATTENTION IT DESERVES.
STILL, WE MUST BE PARTICULARLY
VIGILANT TOWARD THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IRAN AND
VENEZUELA, GIVEN THE OPASSITY
OF THE TIES BETWEEN THE REGIMES
GOVERN GOVERNING EACH COUNTRY
THNDEA ANTI-AMERICAN BOMBAST OF
THEIR LEADERS.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME
POSITIVE NOTES IN OUR REGION.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY
APPRECIATION TO BRAZIL, THE
LARGEST DEMOCRACY IN THE
HEMISPHERE OUTSIDE OF THE
UNITED STATES WHICH HAS
SIGNIFICANTLY COOLED ITS
RELATIONSHIP WITH IRAN UNDER
PRESIDENT RUSEF AND CAST
IMPORTANT VOTES IN THE U.N.
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CRITICAL
OF THE IRANIAN REGIME.
TODAY'S POLARIZATION AND BLUST
FOR THE WASHINGTON ON SO MANY
ISSUES CAN HAVE THE EFFECT OF
MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE
FACT FROM FICTION.
WE CANNOT LET THAT HAPPEN HERE.
THE STAKES ARE TOO HIGH.
SO WITH THIS LEGISLATION, WE
PROVIDE BOTH A STRONG SIGNAL TO
THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONTINUE
TO MONITOR THE SITUATION
CLOSELY AS WELL AS THE
RESOURCES TO LOOK ACROSS U.S.
AGENCY EFFORTS AND ENFORCEMENT
CAPABILITIES TO MAKE SURE THEY
ARE IN LOCK STEP.
I URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT
THIS LEGISLATION AND I RESERVE
THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA.
I PROUDLY
FOUR MINUTES TO THE
GENTLEMAN FROM SOUTH CAROLINA,
MR. DUNCAN, A MEMBER OF OUR
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN
AFFAIRS, HOMELAND SECURITY, AN
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEES,
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE
AUTHOR OF THIS BILL TODAY.
THANK YOU, MR. DUNCAN.
THE
GENTLEMAN IS RECOGNIZED FOR
FOUR MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIRWOMAN FOR
YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS VERY
IMPORTANT ISSUE.
I WANT TO PAUSE TO THANK THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK, MR.
HIGH FWINS, FOR HIS LEADERSHIP
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.
LAST WEEK, CONGRESS TOOK A RARE
BREAK IF OUR WORK HERE AND FROM
PARTISANSHIP, WE CAME TOGETHER
TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO DIED ON
9/11.
AND DURING THE WAR ON
TERRORISM.
WE STOOD TOGETHER ON THE
CAPITOL STEPS AND PLEDGED WE
WOULD NEVER FORGET THE
HEARTBREAKING EVENTS OF THAT
FATEFUL DAY.
ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN HONOR
THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO LOST
THEIR LIVES IS TO BE PREPARED.
SO THAT OUR COUNTRY WILL NEVER
EXPERIENCE SUCH A TRAGEDY
THAT'S WHY I'M STANDING BEFORE
YOU TODAY, MR. SPEAKER,
THANKING YOU AND THE MEMBERS OF
THE BODY FOR PUTTING
TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR FAMILIES
AND COMMUNITIES SAFE FROM NEW
AND EERNL MANY -- EMERGING
THREATS TO OUR NATION.
WE ARE ALL AWARE OF THE IRANIAN
NUCLEAR THREAT IN THE MIDEAST
BUT THERE'S ANOTHER POTENTIAL
THREAT FROM IRAN AND ITS
PROXIES CLOSER TO HOME.
THAT THREAT IS AN EMERGING
IRANIAN-BACKED TERROR NETWORK
HERE IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW IS VERY
ALARMING.
WE KNOW ABOUT LAST OCTOBER'S
FOILED IRANIAN PLOT TO
ASSASSINATE THE SAUDI ARABIAIAN
AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S. HERE ON
AMERICAN SOIL.
WE KNOW IRAN HAS VASTLY
EXPANDED ITS DIPLOMATIC
FOOTPRINT IN LATIN AMERICA.
WE KNOW ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE 2012 ANNUAL REPORT ON
IRAN THAT STATED THAT DURING
THREE DECADES, IRAN
HAS METHODICALLY CULTIVATED A
NETWORK OF TERRORISTS -- JUST
THIS WEEK A BRAZILIAN JOURNAL
AND OTHERS REPORTED ON A
SEIZURE OF MINERALS, BELIEVED
AT FIRST TO BE URANIUM, BUT
WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE ANOTHER
MINERAL USEFUL IN BUILDING
WEAPONS.
WE KNOW THEY HAVE OPERATIVES
BEING TRAINED AT THE BASE TO
ATTACK ISRAELI AND U.S. TARGETS
IN THE EVENT OF A RAID ON
IRANIAN NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS
AND WE KNOW THAT JUST LAST
WEEK, PRESS REPORTS REVEALED
THAT THREE SUSPECTED HEZBOLLAH
MEMBERS WERE ARRESTED JUST
SOUTH OF OUR BOARD FOR THE
MEXICO.
SURPRISE.
IRAN HAS PUBLICLY STATED THAT
INCREASING THEIR PRESENCE AND
TIES TO LATIN AMERICA IS ONE OF
THEIR TOP FOREIGN POLICY
OBJECTIVES.
HOWEVER, WE MUST HAVE THE
CAPABILITIES TO DEFEND
OURSELVES FROM POTENTIAL
IRANIAN ATTACKS HERE ON THE
HOMELAND.
WE MUST BE ABLE TO CLEARLY
IDENTIFY THIS EMERGING THREAT
AND COOPERATE STRATEGIES,
STRATEGIES WHICH INCLUDE
WORKING WITH OUR NEIGHBORS IN
THIS HEMISPHERE TO PREVENT IRAN
FROM BEING A DANGER TOUR
COUNTRY HERE AT HOME.
MR. SPEAKER, THAT'S WHY THIS
BILL, 3783, ESTABLISHES A
STRONG U.S. POSTURE, POLICY,
AND RELATIONSHIP WITH LATIN
AMERICAN COUNTRIES.
IT PROTECTS U.S. INTERESTS AND
ASSETS IN THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE SUCH AS EMBASSIES,
CONSULATES, BUSINESSES AND
CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS,
INCLUDING THREATS TO U.S.
ALLIES.
IT ADDRESSES THE VITAL NATIONAL
SECURITY INTERESTS OF THE
UNITED STATES BY ENSURING THAT
ENERGY SUPPLIES FROM WESTERN
HEMISPHERE ARE FREE FROM THE
INFLUENCE OF ANY FOREIGN
GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD ATTEMPT
TO MANIPULATE OR DISRUPT GLOBAL
ENERGY MARKETS THIS BILL
REQUIRES A SECURE U.S. BOARD WE
ARE THE U.S. WORKING IN
COORDINATION WITH GOVERNMENTS
OF MEXICO AND CANADA TO PREVENT
IRANIAN OPERATIVES FROM
ENTERING THE UNITED STATES.
THIS BILL COUNTERS EFFORTS BY
FOREIGN PERSONS, ENTITIES AND
GOFFS IN THE REGION WHICH MAY
ASSIST IRAN IN EVADING U.S. AND
INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS.
MR. SPEAKER AND MADAM CHAIRMAN,
I ASK THAT MEMBERS VOTE
TOGETHER ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT
ISSUE, H.R. 3783 AND I YIELD
BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
THE
GENTLEMAN FROM NEW YORK.
SPEAKER.
I NOW YIELD FOUR MINUTES TO MY
FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE FROM THE
GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK WHO IS