Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1033) condemning acts by the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region that violate fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents as well as acts that undermine Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include in the Record extraneous material on H. Res. 1033, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank the ranking member. I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho) for joining with me to introduce this measure condemning Beijing's violations of international law and attacks on Hong Kong's democratic freedoms. It is really important that we speak with one voice--both Democrats and Republicans--to let Beijing know that we are not just going to close our eyes to what they are doing to the people of Hong Kong. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this very important resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have authored this bipartisan resolution with my friend, Ranking Member McCaul. This summer, Beijing imposed a national security law in Hong Kong, the latest step in Xi Jinping's campaign to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy and criminalize any opposition. In the last few weeks, we have seen China escalate efforts to squash all dissent and attack Hong Kongers' rights. They have rounded up and arrested prodemocracy activists in Hong Kong and even issued an arrest warrant for a U.S. citizen. They have purged prodemocracy duly elected leaders from the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, one of the most important democratic institutions in the city and the single greatest example of the one country, two systems framework under attack from Beijing. The Chinese Government's actions violate the will of the Hong Kong people and Beijing's commitment to the international community made under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. H. Res. 1033 condemns Beijing's effort to further erode Hong Kong's autonomy, undermine its independent judiciary, and oppress its people. This measure urges the administration to work with our allies and partners to hold China accountable for its flagrant violations of international law and assaults on Hong Kongers and their fundamental rights. It also pushes for emigration options for Hong Kongers facing well- founded fears of persecution. This resolution is an important demonstration of our bipartisan commitment to democratic freedoms in Hong Kong. Mr. Speaker, I hope all of my colleagues will join me in supporting its passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6334) to authorize United States participation in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include in the Record extraneous material on H. Res. 349, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 809) expressing the importance of the United States alliance with the Republic of Korea and the contributions of Korean Americans in the United States, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include in the Record extraneous material on H. Res. 809.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this good measure from Mr. Suozzi expressing the importance of the United States alliance with the Republic of Korea and the immense contributions of Korean Americans to the United States. The Republic of Korea is a linchpin of United States foreign policy in Northeast Asia. Our alliance, built upon our shared interests and commitment to human rights, good governance, and other democratic values, has been crucial for promoting international peace and security, prosperity, rule of law, and freedom in the region and beyond. Here at home, we owe much of our success to the contributions of the millions of Koreans and Korean Americans living in the United States. Diversity has always been a source of America's strength, and the Korean-American community is an excellent example of that. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this important resolution. I urge my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from my home State of New York (Mr. Suozzi), the author of this important resolution.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1012) recognizing the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and the transformation of the United States- Korea alliance into a mutually beneficial, global partnership, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include in the Record extraneous material on H. Res. 1012, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to once again thank Mr. Deutch and Mr. Wilson for their hard work in authorizing this measure. I want to thank Mr. Deutch for his kind words. We have worked very closely together through the years on the Foreign Affairs Committee. He has been one of the best members--always there, always fighting, always principled--and I thank him for the nice, kind words he said about me. We all say kind things about him because he is such an important member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and I have enjoyed serving with him all these years. So I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch). Mr. Speaker, let me say, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this legislation, again, Mr. Deutch's and Mr. Wilson's hard work in authoring this measure. I urge all colleagues to support this, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4644.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Libya Stabilization Act, an important piece of legislation introduced by the chairman and the ranking member of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, Mr. Deutch, along with Ranking Member Wilson. This bill responds to years of instability and violence in Libya, which has given Russia a new foothold in North Africa and contributed to the growth of violent extremist groups. Though there is welcome news of an emerging ceasefire in Libya, facilitated by the United Nations, sporadic violence continues and dangerous militia groups remain active throughout the country. The Libya Stabilization Act addresses these threats by sanctioning outside actors who fuel the conflict or perpetrate human rights abuses. The bill also directs additional U.S. support to humanitarian relief and assistance efforts to help strengthen democratic governance; build a better, peaceful future for Libya; and ensure the security of the U.S. and our allies. It is in our interest to help prevent Libya from spiraling even further into lawlessness. A vacuum of leadership in Tripoli gives way to extremism, which poses threats to the United States, our allies, and partners. I thank Mr. Deutch and Mr. Wilson for their work on this measure, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, November 9, 2020. Hon. Eliot Engel, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Engel: This is to advise you that the Committee on the Judiciary has now had an opportunity to review the provisions in H.R. 4644, the ``Libya Stabilization Act,'' that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. I appreciate your consulting with us on those provisions. The Judiciary Committee has no objection to your including them in the bill for consideration on the House floor, and to expedite that consideration is willing to forgo action on H.R. 4644, with the understanding that we do not thereby waive any future jurisdictional claim over those provisions or their subject matters. In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar legislation is convened, the Judiciary Committee reserves the right to request an appropriate number of conferees to address any concerns with these or similar provisions that may arise in conference. Please place this letter into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our committees. Sincerely, Jerrold Nadler, Chairman.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1062) affirming the nature and importance of the United States-Iraq bilateral relationship, including security and economic components of the relationship, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 1062, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Congressmen Allred and Reschenthaler's resolution affirming the importance of the United States-Iraq relationship. Iraq faces many challenges. ISIS cells are beginning to reemerge; coronavirus cases have climbed in recent months; and Iraq's economy, like much of the globe, is suffering. When Iraq grapples with such challenges, the United States must show up to demonstrate leadership and friendship. This bipartisan resolution expresses support for sovereign, democratic Iraq and strong relations between our two nations, while also highlighting the need to address humanitarian challenges facing Iraq, such as internal displacement, violence against minority religious and ethnic groups, and recovery of communities impacted by the counter-ISIS fight. H. Res. 1062 also calls on Iraq to take all necessary steps to protect United States diplomats and servicemembers. When diplomats are able to do their job safely, investment in a growing economy can follow, benefiting the Iraqi people and their livelihoods. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for putting forth this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, November 11, 2020. Hon. Richard E. Neal, Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Neal: I am writing to you concerning H.Res. 1062, Affirming the nature and importance of the United States-Iraq bilateral relationship, including security and economic components of the relationship. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means under House Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H. Res. 1062 to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the bill that fall within your jurisdiction. I will also support the appointment of Committee on Ways and Means conferees during any House-Senate conference convened on this legislation. Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Eliot L. Engel, Chairman.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me today in supporting this important resolution, H. Res. 1062, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7990) to prioritize efforts of the Department of State to combat international trafficking in covered synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 7990, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho) for his kind words. I really appreciate it. I, again, thank Mr. Trone for being a great champion on this issue and for his kind words. This is the kind of cooperation we have on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and I really have been honored to preside over it and to have been on the committee for so many years. These are important issues that affect real people. The Foreign Affairs Committee has always been at the forefront of these issues because of the gentlemen and women that you just heard. We call ourselves the most bipartisan committee, and I think it is true. I, again, thank Mr. Trone for being a great champion on this issue, and, Mr. Yoho, thank you. Mr. Speaker, I urge all our colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7276) to establish an interagency working group to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to eradicate locust outbreaks in the East Africa region and address future outbreaks in order to avert mass scale food insecurity and potential political destabilization, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include in the Record extraneous material on H.R. 5586.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking Mr. Jeffries for authoring this bipartisan bill. He has been a strong advocate for the Haitian people, and I thank him for his leadership on this issue. There are many, many colleagues in this Congress who feel very strongly about the U.S. relationship with Haiti. I am certainly one of them, and I know Mr. Smith is and, of course, Mr. Jeffries and many other people on our committee. We have Haiti, which is not that far from the United States, and is really, I think, an obligation of the United States, helping the people of Haiti. There has been such misery and such problems there that they really need our help, our continued and sustained help. Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Jeffries for his leadership on this issue. On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, displacing 1.5 million people and killing more than 200,000. Less than 2 months after the earthquake, I had the opportunity to visit Haiti and survey the damage. I stand here today with the same message my colleagues and I delivered to the Haitian people 10 years ago: The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to assist Haiti in its time of need. Over the last decade, Congress has worked closely with the Haitian- American diaspora, the Haitian people, and the Haitian Government to support rebuilding and development efforts on the island, but Haiti still has a long way to go. As we support efforts to reconstruct Haiti, we must learn from our mistakes over the past 10 years and devise innovative solutions to overcome the many remaining challenges. At the same time, it is imperative that the Haitian Government address the growing and legitimate concerns about the country's deteriorating human rights situations, attacks against the press and peaceful protesters as well, and the lack of accountability for corrupt officials. The Haiti Development, Accountability, and Institutional Transparency Initiative Act will help move us toward these goals. It evaluates the effectiveness of U.S. recovery and developmental efforts in Haiti over the past 10 years. It also promotes new strategies to enhance the rule of law, encourage freedom of the press, combat government corruption, address the root causes of poverty, and improve developmental efforts. It is the duty of all of us here in Congress to stand with the Haitian people. Geographically, they are so close to the United States, and there are many Haitian Americans as well. We need to stand with the Haitian people as they fight for a more prosperous and democratic Haiti, and I urge the Haitian Government to do all it can to engage with their citizens and truly listen to their concerns. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased that the House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced this bipartisan bill unanimously, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage in the House today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.