Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 697) recognizing the significance of the genuine autonomy of Tibet and the Tibetan people and the work His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has done to promote global peace, harmony, and understanding, 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 extraneous material on H. Res. 697.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Congress has consistently demonstrated bipartisan and bicameral support for the Tibetan community, and I hope it does so again by supporting Mr. Yoho's, the gentleman from Florida, legislation. The Chinese Government has repeatedly insisted that it must control the selection of the next leader of Tibetan Buddhism--a flagrant violation of international religious freedom. We are seeing additional signs of Beijing's efforts to exert more control, as it has already done in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. Radio Free Asia's Tibetan Service has reported that the rail line being constructed to connect Chengdu to Nyingtri in the Tibetan Autonomous Region will tighten Beijing's grip on Tibet. In addition, the State Department has found that the Chinese Government has systematically impeded travel to the Tibetan Autonomous Region and Tibetan areas for U.S. diplomats and officials, journalists, and tourists. After the Trump administration closed the Chinese Consulate in Houston, the Chinese Government retaliated by demanding the closure of the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu. This consulate, among other things, was responsible for providing reports on developments concerning Tibet, and its closure risks further undermining our ability to understand developments in the region. H. Res. 697 affirms and supports Dalai Lama's teachings and commitment to global peace, nonviolence, human rights, and environmental protection. It also encourages further implementation of the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018. Finally, it calls on the Secretary of State to mitigate impacts of the closure of the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this measure, I encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 697 is a strong measure that encourages the continuation of close engagement between the United States and Tibet. I therefore urge Members to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 697 is a strong measure that encourages the continuation of close engagement between the United States and Tibet. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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. 6334.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we are in a time of crisis. The coronavirus pandemic has devastated our Nation: over 200,000 Americans have died, our economy is in shambles, our lives have been turned upside down. The virus continues to spread and worsen. Part of this is because there had not been the steps taken that we know are needed to protect the American people and address this virus head-on. There is a clear road map ahead on how to beat this. We need to establish a robust contact tracing and testing system and flatten the curve by increasing mask wearing and social distancing, all while we develop a safe and effective vaccine. We have heard some good news over the past few days about some safe and effective vaccines. Over the past weeks we have seen this encouraging news, and two, in particular, are showing real promise. To further develop, produce and distribute vaccines, we need to work with our partners around the world and harness the resources of the government's multilateral organizations, public health experts, and the private sector. We are not satisfied--I am not satisfied--with what has been done so far. I am glad that we are going back to the World Health Organization and will reboot our coordination with countries around the world. We cannot go this alone. This is a worldwide pandemic, and we need to work with all the other countries to defeat it head-on. This bill puts us on the right track to do just that. Mr. Bera's Securing America from Epidemics Act would allow the United States to participate in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a public-private partnership to speed up vaccine development for infectious diseases like COVID-19 and Ebola. Mr. Speaker, this is a good measure that would put our country in a stronger position to respond to the coronavirus and future pandemics. I am proud to support it and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Bera), author of this important bill, the chair of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again thank Mr. Bera for his leadership and hard work on this legislation that everyone should support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 349) reaffirming the vital role of the United States-Japan alliance in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Castro for authoring this measure reaffirming our partnership with Japan, a longstanding U.S. ally and an indispensable partner for advancing peace, stability, and prosperity in Asia and beyond. The United States and Japan share a commitment to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and democratic values and freedoms. In challenging times like these, it is all the more important that we work with like-minded friends to defend and promote our shared interests. One of those shared priorities is strengthening our alliances. This is more important than ever as China's behavior becomes increasingly aggressive and Kim Jong-un in North Korea remains unchecked in his challenge to regional security and stability. H. Res. 349 expresses the bipartisan support in Congress for an equitable agreement with Japan regarding Host Nation Support for our troops before the current one expires. This is a critical way to shore up a key ally's defenses and protect U.S. national interests. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution reaffirming our commitment to the United States' partnership with Japan, and I urge all my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as certain actors continue their aggressive behavior and destabilize the Indo-Pacific region, it is critical that we continue to strengthen our allies and friends. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank Mr. Suozzi for authoring this measure. I know he has had a deep interest in this for many, many years. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Bera for authoring this resolution recognizing the historic alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea. In the 70 years since the outbreak of the Korean War, the U.S.-Korea alliance has grown to become an indispensable partnership for defending and promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. With a shared commitment to human rights and democratic values, our two countries have worked hand in hand as partners on so much of the challenges facing us today: Security, trade, global health, and more. When the United States faced crippling shortages in essential protective gear during this pandemic, South Korea stepped up to help us in our time of need. In times of crisis, it is all the more important that we work closely with our allies and friends. Our security posture in the Korean Peninsula isn't just beneficial to the Republic of Korea, it is a benefit for American security as well. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this good measure recognizing our alliance with the Republic of Korea, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Bera), the author of this important resolution, the chair of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, let me say that, as one of the few Members of Congress who has been to North Korea twice, I think that when you do that, you see the profound difference between North Korea and South Korea. That is why it is so important that the United States continue strongly its alliance with the Republic of Korea, a vital partnership that has grown stronger and stronger over the past 70 years, and I am sure will continue for many more to come. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, 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. 4644) to clarify United States policy toward Libya, advance a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Libya, and support the people of Libya, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch), the author of this important bill and the chair of the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch).

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, far too many Americans have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of drug abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control, our country saw the largest increase in overdose deaths from 2018 to 2019. That is why this bill comes before us at a critical time, and I thank the author, Mr. Trone, for his leadership and hard work on this bill and on the entire subject. Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous synthetic opioids contributing to the opioid crisis, and since it is largely manufactured outside of the United States, it is critical that we engage closely with our international partners to combat this scourge. The FENTANYL Results Act requires the State Department to update its approach to illegal synthetic drugs. This bill opens strong channels of communications with foreign drug enforcement agencies, trains countries on how to combat synthetic drug production, and promotes exchange programs for renowned experts who can share their findings around the world. With such an imposing task ahead of us, international cooperation is critical. It is not enough to tackle this issue domestically; we also must work together with our partners around the world to stop the transit of these illicit substances. I was pleased that the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed this 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.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Trone), the author of this important bill, and a valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

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 extraneous material on H.R. 7276.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Desert Locust Control Act, and I thank Mr. Smith for bringing forward this very important legislation. In late 2019, swarms of locusts entered the Horn of Africa from the Gulf of Aden, multiplying and spreading throughout the region. Locusts are highly mobile and can consume vast amounts of vegetation in a short period of time. Even a small swarm can consume crops that would feed up to 35,000 people in day. They have devastated large swaths of farmland through east Africa, including Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia and across the Red Sea in Yemen. Food security is already hanging by a thread in these regions, and efforts to control the locusts have been hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of reliable data, and the geographical reach of the swarm across multiple countries. The Desert Locust Control Act would step up coordination of efforts to evaluate and respond to the locust outbreak across the United States Government, bringing in the support of the U.S. mission to the Food and Agricultural Organization, USAID, and others to effectively respond to the outbreak. We have already seen the ripple effects of the coronavirus pandemic on poverty, food insecurity, health, and education. We must ensure that we do not let this locust plague compound those challenges. I, again, thank Mr. Smith for his leadership in authoring this measure. I urge Members on both sides of the aisle to support this bill, and, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.