Howard Berman

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2165, the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012, and I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I want to thank, first of all, my friends, Majority Leader Cantor and Minority Whip Hoyer, for bringing this important bill back to the floor of the House so that we can accept the Senate's constructive additions and send it to the President's desk. I'd also like to thank, as did my chairman, Senators Boxer and Isakson, and Senator Collins, for their leadership on this resolution in the Senate. And finally, I want to thank my friend and chairman, the gentlelady from Florida, for her continued leadership on the issue of the U.S.- Israel relationship. Members should recall that in May we passed the House version of this bill, H.R. 4133, by a near-unanimous vote. We will be taking another vote today because the Senate has added an important extension of military stockpile reserve authorities. I strongly support this addition and thank the Senate for its contribution. Mr. Speaker, since its founding, Israel has faced innumerable challenges to its survival, but the serious threats it faces today are unprecedented. Deadly cross-border attacks from the Sinai Peninsula have taken both Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish lives. Terrorism still penetrates Israel from Gaza in the form of rocket and mortar attacks. But unlike in years past, the Iron Dome Anti-Missile System, funded in part by the United States, has changed the rules of the game. In fact, Iron Dome has been successful in intercepting a remarkable 90 percent of incoming rockets aimed at once defenseless population centers. Currently, there are only a handful of Iron Dome batteries operational in Israel. More are needed in order to protect all of Israel's 8 million citizens. I'm pleased to say that S. 2165 retains language from the Iron Dome Support Act, bipartisan legislation I introduced which now has nearly 110 cosponsors expressing support for providing Israel assistance to produce additional Iron Dome batteries. This bill also pledges to assist Israel with its ongoing effort to forge a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that results in two states living side by side in peace and in security. Despite all the obstacles to achieving this goal, we cannot give up trying, as peace is profoundly in Israel's strategic interest. I applaud Prime Minister Netanyahu's willingness to negotiate anywhere, anytime. The Palestinians should take him up on that offer, instead of pursuing a campaign to delegitimize Israel at the U.N. and elsewhere. Mr. Speaker, perhaps the greatest threat to both American and Israeli security today is that posed by Iran's nuclear weapons program. I hope this problem can be solved diplomatically, but as we all know, only massive pressure from the United States and our allies has any chance of persuading Iran to give up its quest for nuclear arms. In fact, we are currently negotiating a sanctions bill with the Senate, the Iran Threat Reduction Act, which Chairman Ros-Lehtinen and I introduced and which the House passed late last year. That bill will dramatically increase the economic pressure on Iran. Meanwhile, the bill before us today makes clear that the U.S. Congress will continue to help Israel meet the Iranian threat. Gaza-based terrorism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Iranian nuclear program are not the only threats faced by Israel. Recent events in Egypt and Syria, along with the presence of Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, require Israeli vigilance against danger from all directions. To that end, this bill, once again, reaffirms our determination to support Israel's qualitative military edge against any possible combination of regional threats. In reinforcing that commitment to Israel's security, this bill extends for 4 years a loan guarantee program for Israel that was initiated in 2003. The extension is based on legislation that Chairman Ros-Lehtinen and I introduced in March. Mr. Speaker, our relationship with our ally Israel is one of the most important and closest that we have with any nation in the world. The United States and Israel face many of the same threats, and we share the same values. Israel's defense minister, Ehud Barak, recently said that he can hardly remember a better period of U.S. ``support and cooperation'' and common U.S.-Israel strategic understanding than the current one. The passage of this bill will help ensure that this cooperation continues into the future. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN. With that, Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes to our distinguished whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. BERMAN. I yield the gentleman an additional 2 minutes.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, consider my opening to be my closing, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 6018, the Fiscal Year 2013 Foreign Relations Authorization Act. This bill establishes the basis for our Embassies to function and our diplomats to promote U.S. national interests around the world. It provides some of the authorities and resources our State Department needs to promote peaceful international cooperation, protect U.S. national security, and demonstrate the values and principles that define us as a nation. All around the world, our foreign and civil service officers operate on the front lines of the fight against global terrorism, putting their lives at risk to protect the lives of innocents. By shortchanging our diplomats, we only increase the likelihood of armed confrontation. Skillful diplomacy is also essential for opening foreign markets to American goods and services, which promotes economic growth and creates jobs here at home. On balance, I do support this bill. It's not perfect. The authorization numbers are well below the FY13 requested levels, lower than what I think is needed to exert strong and effective global leadership, and in a perfect world, I would have preferred a more comprehensive bill that authorizes the full range of our global activities. But the distinguished chairman and her staff have worked with us diligently over the past few weeks to make the changes necessary to arrive at a text that we can wholeheartedly support, so I thank the chairman for her hard work on the bill and for the comity and respect she demonstrated throughout the process. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to pay tribute to Dorit and Shawn Evenhaim for their generosity and dedication to help the less fortunate as well as provide the highest possible quality of education in our community. Dorit and Shawn Evenhaim are Israeli Angelenos that own and operate California Home Builders. Both Dorit and Shawn grew up in Southern Israel where they learned the Jewish value of tzedakah, the act of charitable giving and helping the less fortunate. They came to the United States following their service in the Israeli military and continued to practice this philanthropy. They have contributed countless hours of community service and provided leadership to many charitable organizations throughout the San Fernando Valley such as the Israeli Leadership Council, the Jewish Federation, and StandWithUs. In 2004, Kadima, a 34-year-old Solomon Schecter Conservative day school in the West San Fernando Valley, had to relocate when LAUSD needed the campus that Kadima had been leasing. The Evenhaim's generous donation provided the resources for Kadima to purchase a former hospital about a mile away from the previous campus. The Evenhaim's involvement did not end with their donation. They were also instrumental in locating the site for the new campus, acquiring the necessary permits, and remodeling the site to fit the needs of the school. Kadima's facilities now include separate yard spaces for the Early Childhood Education Center and Kindergarten, as well as athletic fields, an auditorium and swimming pool, ample classroom space, a 6,000 volume library, and a full kitchen and cafeteria. Both Dorit and Shawn have done a great job serving on Kadima's Board of Trustees. Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, I ask you to join me in recognizing Dorit and Shawn for their philanthropy and their years of service and dedication to the education and service of our community.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am joined by my colleague Congressman Henry Waxman to pay tribute to Deputy Sheriff Shervin Lalezary for his outstanding courage and bravery in capturing an infamous arsonist that wreaked havoc in the city of Los Angeles. Shervin is a real estate attorney during the day and dedicates his time to volunteer as Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the L.A. Sheriff's Department at night. At 3 a.m. on January 2, 2012, Deputy Sheriff Lalezary became a local hero and a national sensation when he captured Harry Burkhart, a 24- year-old German national whom Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca called ``perhaps . . . the most dangerous arsonist in the county of Los Angeles.'' Burkhart was arrested for setting a rash of car and building fires across the city. Following his arrest, there were no more suspicious fires documented in Los Angeles. Deputy Sheriff Lalezary is a hero who demonstrates exemplary values and integrity and most-importantly inspires his peers. During his numerous press conferences, public events, and even an appearance on the TV show ``Ellen,'' he has continued to impress us with his selfless dedication and altruism. He continually downplays his role in the arrest, deflecting questions about himself and his personal life, and praising the deputies at the sheriff's West Hollywood station. Shervin's commitment to serving Los Angeles and keeping us safe reflects the Jewish value of tikkun olam and the importance of giving back to our country. 30 Years After, an Iranian-American non-profit organization that promotes civic participation, rightfully presented Shervin with the 2012 Public Service Award on behalf of 30 Years After and the Persian-American community. Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, we ask you to join us in recognizing Deputy Sheriff Shervin Lalezary for his years of service and dedication to the safety and well being of our community. He is the epitome of a true humanitarian.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am joined by my colleagues Congressmen Steve Cohen, Jim Cooper, Marsha Blackburn, Jerrold Nadler, Howard Coble, Lamar Smith, Barney Frank, and John Conyers to honor the life and memory of one of the First Ladies of American music, Frances W. Preston, the former president and Chief Executive Officer of Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI). Frances Preston was a trailblazer who opened up doors of opportunity for a new generation of female executives in the music and entertainment industries. No barriers stopped Frances in advocating for songwriters' rights, and on Capitol Hill, her tireless advocacy was critical in protecting the music industry. Her counsel was indispensible and we sought it often. The business acumen of Frances Preston was exceeded only by her charisma and charm, and by the respect, affection and admiration her colleagues and peers had for her. She was lauded for her empathy and for the gracious manner in which she treated every person, from the hottest star to the humblest worker. She was an exceptional executive, leader, role model and friend. With Frances at its head, BMI grew to represent over 300,000 American and foreign songwriters, composers and music publishers in licensing music, and collecting and distributing royalties from play on radio and in television, films, ads and other media. Its artists represent all types of music and its catalog contains 4.5 million works. During her 18 years as president, its revenue grew more than three times to more than $625 million. BMI has become an internationally respected leader and a unique success story as the entertainment industry has been transformed by digital technology and globalization. Sensitive to the changing world of music, Frances focused on domestic licensing, foreign performing rights, legislation for fair compensation for writers and publishers, and copyright protection. Frances joined BMI in 1958 after working in music and broadcasting in Nashville. She opened BMI's regional office there, and led her company to preeminence in the South, signing writers and publishers with roots in both country and other types of music. In 1964, the year the Nashville BMI building opened on Music Row, Frances became a vice president of BMI--reportedly, the first woman corporate executive in Tennessee. She has often been called a trailblazer in the music business but Frances was also a trailblazer among women. She was the first woman Rotarian in the State of Tennessee. She was the first woman to work with the National Chamber of Commerce. She was one of the first four women--and the first businesswoman--to be invited to join the Friars Club in New York and the first woman to serve on their board of governors. Frances was an industry pioneer and a compassionate humanitarian who touched the lives of many people, and she will be sorely missed.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 683, which expresses regret for a series of discriminatory laws passed between 1879 and 1904 that targeted individuals of Chinese descent in the United States, and yield myself as much time as I may consume. I'd like to begin by thanking the gentlelady from California, Ms. Chu, for her leadership on this bipartisan resolution. To my friend, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Smith, thank you for your work on this resolution and for bringing it to the floor so quickly. Beginning in 1879, Congress passed a series of discriminatory measures against the Chinese that restricted immigration and violated the civil rights of the Chinese living in the U.S. At the height of Chinese immigration to the U.S. in the 19th and 20th centuries, many Chinese--like immigrants from other parts of the world--were searching for the opportunity to create a better life, driven by their hope that America could be their new promised land. With the enactment of multiple Chinese Exclusion Acts, immigrants from China were denied the right to be naturalized as American citizens. Six decades of anti-Chinese legislation resulted in the persecution and political alienation of persons of Chinese descent and legitimized racial discrimination, excluding them both from the democratic process and the American promise of freedom. Chinese-Americans have since achieved prominence in all walks of American life. Though we may not be able to reverse the past, we can take action now. By acknowledging and expressing regret for this bleak period in our history, we reaffirm our core principles of equality and justice upon which our country was founded. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 683 is an important demonstration of our bipartisan commitment to recognize the continued contributions of the Chinese-American community in the United States, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a young and talented jazz trumpeter from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Etienne Charles, in celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, nationally recognized during the month of June. Born on the island of Trinidad in 1983, Etienne Charles defies easy musical categorization. An alumnus of the prestigious Julliard School, Mr. Charles has received critical acclaim for his exciting performances, thrilling compositions and a knack for connecting with audiences worldwide. Etienne's musical lineage runs at least four generations deep: His great-grandfather emigrated to Trinidad from the overseas French department of Martinique bringing his folk music to the village of Mayaro. The young trumpeter's grandfather's distinct cuarto style can be heard on the classic folk and calypso recordings of the Growling Tiger; and, Etienne's father was a member of Phase 11 Pan Grove, one of Trinidad & Tobago's most progressive steel bands and one that Etienne himself would later join. Immersed in his father's vast record collection, and suffused with the sounds of calypso, steel pan and African Shango drumming, Etienne imbibed many of the influences that presently constitute the diverse colors of his harmonic palette. Perhaps more than any other musician of his generation or of Caribbean origin, Etienne brings a careful study of myriad rhythms from the French, Spanish, English and Dutch speaking Caribbean to the table. Crucially, this young jazz professional fully understands the New Orleans trumpet tradition (which is readily discernible in his trademark instrumental swagger) and what the famed Crescent City pianist, Jelly Roll Morton so succinctly captured in the now immortal phrase, ``The Spanish Tinge''. In his latest opus, Kaiso, this Trinidadian trumpet maestro, Etienne Charles, cooks up an ambrosial bouillabaisse of New World music genres, with jazz and calypso genres standing out as piquant flavors. He explores the songbooks of three legends in calypso; The Lord Kitchener, The Mighty Sparrow and the Roaring Lion, using many different instrumental palettes ranging from duet to chamber orchestra. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize this young talent, Mr. Etienne Charles, for the many contributions he brings to the nationals of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the world.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor the Art Directors Guild, IATSE, Local 800, on the occasion of its 75th birthday on June 2nd of this year. Many of the movies and television shows we all enjoy would not exist without the hard work of the ADG and its members. The Art Directors Guild is a trade union comprised of production designers, art directors, illustrators, storyboard artists, scenic, title and graphic artists, and set designers. Its members represent 2,000 creative crafts people who design motion pictures, television shows and commercials. These dedicated artists bring pleasure to millions across the globe. In 1924, pioneers of art direction founded a fraternal order called the Cinemagundi Club, which, in 1937, became the Society of Motion Picture Art Directors. That assembly has become the Art Directors Guild we know today, a group that has served the industry proudly for 75 years. We are celebrating the Guild's journey this year, honoring their past and supporting and encouraging the many contributions they will make to the industry in the future. The ADG also provides many cultural opportunities for members of the community to enjoy. The Guild runs an art gallery in North Hollywood that is open to the public. It provides panels, workshops and training for members as well as others interested in the field to foster a spirit of innovation in the entertainment industry. It also publishes ``Perspective,'' a monthly magazine that covers topics of importance to entertainment industry professionals. Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, I ask you to join me in recognizing the Art Directors Guild and its members for their years of hard work and dedication to the entertainment industry.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to pay tribute to Esther Feldman, President of Community Conservation Solutions, in recognition of her outstanding achievements as one of the most effective conservation leaders in California. Under her leadership, Community Conservation Solutions, CCS, has worked to solve the complex and challenging problems that emerge wherever people and nature meet. CCS creates innovative and practical solutions to serious environmental problems affecting California's natural and human communities. Esther Feldman is one of California's most valued conservation leaders. For nearly three decades, she has worked continuously to protect the environment for future generations. Her technical, financial, community and policy expertise combined with her great organizing ability has lead to countless victories for conservation. Nearly every park, wilderness area, river, beach or trail in Los Angeles County has benefited from Esther's work. Esther's ability to unite diverse interests for a common goal created new parks and open space, and established over $3 billion dollars in new public funding sources to further expand conservation in California and throughout the United States. Since founding CCS in 1998, Esther has built the organization into a leader in conserving natural lands and water resources and in working with communities. Under Esther's visionary leadership, CCS conceived of and spearheaded the two-square mile Baldwin Hills Park Project in the heart of urban Los Angeles, launched wetland restoration efforts in Upper Newport Bay, and has developed new project and funding approaches to creatively solving polluted runoff problems through CCS's Water Quality Improvement and Green Solution Projects as well as working on multiple projects of vital importance across my district in the San Fernando Valley. Esther is known for being pragmatic and for her proficiency at acquiring funding to guarantee the longevity of the projects she directs. This has translated into a long list of successful outcomes and lasting public and environmental benefits. Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, I ask you to join me in recognizing Esther Feldman for her invaluable service and dedication to the community and the environment.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4041, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Export Promotion Reform Act is a bipartisan, noncontroversial bill that will help increase the export of American goods and services, and in the process create new, high-quality jobs. I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) for working with me on this legislation. He has been one of the strongest voices for export promotion and export control reform in this Chamber, and he's been a great partner to have on this legislation. I also want to thank my chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ileana Ros- Lehtinen, and her staff for helping to move this through the legislative process to this point. H.R. 4041 would implement recommendations by the GAO, the Government Accountability Office, to make more effective use of our export- promotion programs. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill doesn't authorize any new programs, nor does it add any new spending or impose any new mandates. The bill has been endorsed by a number of prominent business organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Business Roundtable. The Export Promotion Reform Act would make sound, practical improvements that would benefit many of the Nation's 293,000 exporting firms, more than 97 percent of which are small and medium-sized businesses, while exercising fiscal prudence on behalf of the American taxpayer. American firms have renewed opportunities for growth and increased employment through increased sales overseas. However, the competition in world trade is fierce, and our export-promotion programs often don't measure up to those of our competitors. GAO has told us repeatedly that these programs would be more effective with improved coordination. To that end, H.R. 4041 would eliminate duplicative activities and improve service delivery to exporters; require a global plan to identify and target the best growth markets for U.S. goods and services; and require our ambassadors to develop country-by-country commercial diplomacy plans aimed at increasing U.S. exports, while making the effectiveness of their commercial diplomacy efforts part of their annual performance review. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that every $1 billion of U.S. exports supports approximately 5,800 jobs here at home. With 95 percent of the world's consumers living overseas, expanding U.S. exports in world markets is one of the best ways for American business to grow and create jobs. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, March 19, 2012. Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Madam Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4041, the Export Promotion Reform Act. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Sunita D'Monte. Sincerely, Douglas W. Elmendorf. Enclosure. H.R. 4041--Export Promotion Reform Act H.R. 4041 would require the Secretary of Commerce to assess overseas markets, at least once every five years, to determine which markets present the greatest opportunities to increase United States exports. The Secretary would be required to relocate personnel that promote U.S. trade opportunities based on the outcome of the assessment. The bill also would require Chiefs of Missions in foreign countries to use those assessments in promoting United States exports. Based on information from the Department of State and the International Trade Administration, the agencies that would administer the bill's provisions, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4041 would have discretionary costs of less than $500,000 a year, totaling about $1 million over the 2012 2017 period, assuming the availability of appropriated funds. Enacting H.R. 4041 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. H.R. 4041 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. On January 17, 2012, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 2987, the American Export Promotion and Job Creation Act, as introduced on September 21, 2011. The language in that bill is similar to that in H.R. 4041 and the estimated costs for the two bills are identical. The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Sunita D'Monte. The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Thank you, Mr. Smith, for yielding me this time. I rise in support of the manager's amendment, but to speak in support of the Smith amendment, which is part of the en bloc amendment which will be taken up next. I am pleased to join Ranking Member Smith, Chairman McKeon, and Foreign Affairs Chair Ros-Lehtinen as sponsor of the Smith amendment. I am particularly pleased that this amendment incorporates most of H.R. 3288, the Safeguarding United States Satellite Leadership and Security Act, legislation I introduced last November, along with Don Manzullo, Adam Smith, Dutch Ruppersberger, Rob Bishop, Martin Heinrich, Mike Coffman, and Gerry Connolly. We have since been joined by 12 other cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, many of whom are also cosponsors of this amendment. Mr. Chairman, this bipartisan amendment, which will be part of the en bloc, would help restore America's global competitiveness in high-tech satellite technology and protect vital U.S. national security interests. Treating commercial satellites and components as if they were lethal weapons, regardless of whether they're going to friend or foe, has gravely harmed American space manufacturers--a view borne out by numerous studies, industry assessments, and the administration's own recent ``1248'' report to Congress. We depend on these manufacturers for our own critical defense needs. If onerous restrictions prevent them from competing in the international marketplace, then they can't innovate and ultimately cannot survive. This amendment also supports U.S. national security. It includes a strict prohibition on any satellite exports to China--the original concern that caused Congress to transfer all satellites to the Munitions List--as well as to Iran, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, and Cuba. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I thank the chair and the ranking member of the committee for their support of this amendment.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. I thank the gentlewoman for the inquiry. The President is the Commander in Chief. There is no authorization for the use of force. Contrary to what was said earlier by my friend from Ohio, whatever one thought about the decision to go to war in Iraq, 5 months before that, Congress very explicitly provided an authorization for the use of force. There is nothing in this resolution, and there is no intention in this resolution, to provide that authorization. Nuclear weapons capability--there are three elements, as defined by the Director of National Intelligence: fissile material production, one. Design, weaponization, and testing of a warhead, two. A delivery vehicle. To be nuclear-capable, you really have to have to master all three elements. While Iran has the delivery system, they have not yet mastered--but they are making progress--on steps one and two. And if one day, when they've mastered all the other elements and they kick out the inspectors and they shut off the cameras, I will consider them nuclear- capable. This is about achieving a goal through economic sanctions rigorously applied to achieve a diplomatic resolution. It is the perfect time to bring up this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN. I yield to the gentlelady from Maryland.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my time.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to my friend from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. BERMAN. I thank the Speaker. I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the other expert from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews). (Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, could we get an indication of the time remaining on both sides?

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I do have a few more speakers. I am now pleased to yield 1 minute to the ranking member of the Europe and Eurasia Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks).

Mr. BERMAN. I am pleased to yield 1 minute to a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, my friend from Florida (Mr. Deutch).

Mr. BERMAN. Absolutely not. This resolution is no way intended and in no way can it be interpreted as an authorization for the use of military force. It is a nonbinding resolution that endorses a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear program. It includes no operative authorizations regarding the use of force.

Mr. BERMAN. Will the gentlelady yield?

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from Maryland (Ms. Edwards).