Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. The United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act is an excellent bipartisan bill designed to further strengthen the relationship between Israel and the United States, give American victims their day in court, and restore assistance to the Palestinians. I strongly support this bill. I urge all Members to join me in doing so. Again, this is a bipartisan bill showing, again, the strong support that the United States and Israel have for each other. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, this is a strong bipartisan bill that advances the U.S.-Israel relationship. I, again, want to thank Representatives Deutch and Wilson for their leadership, as well as all the other Members who contributed to this fine piece of legislation. I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, July 18, 2019. Hon. Peter A. DeFazio, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman DeFazio: I write in reply to your letter regarding H.R. 1837, the United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and that your Committee will forgo action on H.R. 1837 to expedite floor consideration. I further agree that your Committee's inaction regarding the bill will not waive any future jurisdictional claims over matters addressed in H.R. 1837 which fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I will also support the appointment of Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure conferees during any House-Senate conference convened on this legislation. Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is include 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 yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch), a valuable member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, author of this important bill, and chairman of the Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism Subcommittee.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider).

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am really heartened by the outpouring of support we have heard from both sides of the aisle involving the U.S.-Israel relationship and involving the unfair BDS movement against Israel. I thank all the people who have spoken in favor of this resolution-- the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin) and others who have spoken-- because it shows that, when it comes to support for the U.S.-Israel relationship, there really is no difference between Democrats and Republicans. Israel should not be a political football. We support the U.S.-Israel relationship, and we know that BDS is very destructive, very unfair, very anti-Jewish, anti-Semitic, and should have no place in the public spectrum. I think that this Chamber is getting together. If we look at the numbers we bring to the floor today, they really speak for themselves. Almost 80 percent of the House of Representatives has cosponsored this resolution. There are Members not just from different sides of the aisle but from across the entire political spectrum, from one end to the other, supporting this resolution, saying the BDS movement is unfair, that the BDS movement singles out Israel, that the BDS movement is really supported by people who want to see the destruction of the world's only Jewish state, and that is not something that we can stand idly by and watch happen. I have never been prouder of this body--and I have been here for a while now--than I am tonight. I am proud of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Again, I think the reason why we have that kind of support is clear. Congress supports the U.S.-Israel relationship. We support a two-state solution. We support the rights enshrined in the First Amendment. We know that the global BDS movement threatens the possibility of future peace between Israelis and Palestinians. It is that simple. We know that the global BDS movement threatens what is fair. We know that the global BDS movement is really a fraud. It is a fraud. It is Israel-hating. It is Jew-hating. We have had enough of that in the world. Frankly, they should be ashamed of themselves. I would like to note that today's resolution is a very powerful rebuke of the global BDS movement, more powerful than any particular legislative proposal. What we are saying today, to those who want to see a peaceful end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, is that the global BDS movement has no place here. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to support this measure. I urge all Members to do likewise. Again, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I have never seen Congress as united as it is on this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi), my very good friend.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch), chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism, and a valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking the authors of this resolution, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Zeldin, and Mrs. Wagner. I am grateful for their bipartisan leadership. Mr. Speaker, there are 339 cosponsors of this resolution. Let me say that again: There are 339 cosponsors for this measure opposing the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement that undermines the legitimacy of the State of Israel. Support for Israel in Congress is an issue that has been like catnip for our friends in the press that cover our work. Frankly, this issue has been politicized in a way that I find ugly and is ultimately harmful to the U.S.-Israel relationship. It is time that leaders stop playing politics with our relations with the Jewish state. When the fog clears, and the bullies on their pulpits end their tirades, what you see with this measure is a real bipartisan reflection on how this body regards our country's relationship with and support for Israel and our opposition to BDS. Almost 80 percent of House Members are cosponsors, and we are here debating it under suspension of the rules. What this resolution says is simple. It says that support for BDS and support for a two-state solution just aren't compatible. Let me explain why, and I hope this explanation will also help to address some of the concerns about this measure. Opposing BDS isn't about opposing any individual's right to protest or boycott. The right of any person to express views like that is enshrined in our Constitution. That sort of free expression is a pillar of American democracy, and this resolution says so. Let me read from it: ``Whereas it is a hallmark of American democracy for citizens to petition the United States Government in favor of or against United States foreign policy; ``Whereas the United States Constitution protects the rights of United States citizens to articulate political views, including with respect to the policies of the United States or foreign governments.'' That is in this resolution. It couldn't be any clearer, Mr. Speaker. Throughout history, protests, boycotts, and movements like that have played key roles in driving important change. The resolution says that, too: ``Whereas boycotts and similar tools aimed at promoting racial justice and social change have been used effectively in the United States, South Africa, and other parts of the world.'' But here is the thing about the global BDS movement: I don't believe it promotes racial justice or social change at all. It promotes a one- sided view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that seeks to marginalize Israel and that would deny the Jewish people the right of national self-determination, a right proclaimed by none other than the United Nations. Many of us have been fighting for years to advance a future for the Israelis and Palestinians of two states for two peoples living side by side in peace and security. Building that future will require hard work and concessions. BDS says that the onus is entirely on Israel. All concessions have to come from Israel, and the Palestinians should reject negotiations and just allow international pressure to build on Israel. That is not how negotiations work, and it is no way to promote peace. That is why this movement is so counterproductive, in my view. Do you want to criticize a government? That is your right. Do you want to stop buying products from a certain country? That is also your right. But participating in an international commercial effort that undermines Israel's legitimacy and scuttles the chances of a two-state solution isn't the same as an individual exercising First Amendment rights. I continue to believe that a two-state solution that guarantees self- determination for both Jews and Palestinians--not one or the other--is the best way to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I believe that the overwhelming majority of our colleagues in this body agree with me, and Congress has said so before in bipartisan resolutions. Today, we have the opportunity to reiterate that point and to warn against something that would derail that solution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, July 19, 2019. Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space and Technology, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairwoman Johnson: I am writing to you concerning H.Res. 246, Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the Global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this resolution. I acknowledge that provisions of the resolution fall within jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology under House Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H.Res. 246 to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the resolution does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the measure that fall within your jurisdiction. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the resolution. I appreciate your cooperation and look forward to continuing to work with you as this measure moves through the legislative process. Sincerely, Eliot L. Engel, Chairman.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), who is the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider), who is the author of this resolution.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Murphy).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer).

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure. I want to start by thanking Ms. Bass and Mr. Smith for bringing forward this resolution, which calls on the Government of Cameroon and armed groups to respect the human rights of all Cameroonian citizens, to end all violence, and to pursue a broad-based dialogue without preconditions to resolve the conflict in the anglophone regions of Cameroon. Since October 2017, the region has been mired in conflict, with both the Government of Cameroon and armed separatists fighting one another and perpetrating human rights abuses. While armed actors refuse to pursue a negotiated settlement to the conflict, innocent civilians continue to suffer. According to UNICEF, more than 80 percent of the schools in the anglophone regions of Cameroon remain closed, putting at risk the future prospects of children who are being denied access to education. In addition, 1.3 million people, including approximately 650,000 children, are in need of humanitarian assistance. This resolution urges the Government of Cameroon to respect the fundamental rights of all Cameroonian citizens and follow through on initiatives developed to address grievances in the anglophone region. It also urges separatist groups to engage with Cameroonian government officials, civil society, and religious leaders to express grievances and engage in efforts to resolve the conflict and to stop committing human rights abuses and inciting violence. For several months, the Swiss Government has been attempting to mediate a peaceful resolution to this crisis, and I am pleased this resolution demonstrates Congress' strong support for a negotiated settlement. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I again want to thank Ms. Bass and Mr. Smith for their hard work. Again, as I mentioned before, Mr. Smith is always working very, very hard to be on the side of justice. For too long, the people in Cameroon's anglophone region have been marginalized by the Cameroonian Government, and since 2017, conflict between the government and separatists have brought chaos and fear to those living in the region. This resolution supports a negotiated settlement to the conflict that respects the basic human rights of its citizens, so Cameroon can become a country that is more peaceful and stable. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this bipartisan piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Fragile X Awareness Day, happening on Monday, July 22. As the Co-Chair of the Fragile X Caucus with Congressman Chris Smith, I would like to take a moment to raise awareness about this condition, which affects an estimated 100,000 Americans. Fragile X is a genetic-disorder caused by mutations in the gene known as FMR1. These genetic changes can result in behavioral, developmental, cognitive, reproductive and potentially fatal neurodegenerative conditions. Over 1,000,000 Americans have a variation of the Fragile X mutation, meaning they either have, or at risk, of developing one of the conditions associated with Fragile X. This means that each Member of this House, on average, represents 230 constituents living with Fragile X syndrome. This past March, I led a bipartisan appropriations letter with Congressman Chris Smith urging the NIH to continue investment in Fragile X research and maintaining federal support for the Fragile X awareness and research programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where they fund the FORWARD project, which collects and provides Fragile X data across the lifespan and generations to help improve research towards treatments and a cure. A group of 16 bipartisan Members joined us in this effort. On National Fragile X Awareness Day, I urge all my colleagues to take time to learn the impact of this disease and how we can pass legislation that improves the lives of Americans living with Fragile X.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 491, I call up the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 36) providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Italian Republic of certain defense articles and services, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Chair, I rise to support the amendment offered by Mr. Khanna, which I was proud to cosponsor. If the President wants to go to war, he needs to come to Congress first. The Constitution gives Congress--not the President--the power to declare war. This is about checks and balances. It does not prevent the President from defending America, it simply enforces current law exactly as it is written in the war powers resolution. There's no special category for Iran that allows the President to skip the critical step of coming to Congress. Iran is dangerous. I am not blind to the threat it poses to our allies and our interests, but addressing those threats need not lead us into another war. We need to de-escalate heightened tensions in the region, so we don't stumble into a conflict with Iran. Now is the time for Congress to step up and assert our constitutional authority. I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. ENGEL

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

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close debate on this measure. I am glad we had a spirited debate on the issues. As always, I am grateful to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), my friend, the ranking member, for his collegiality. We are generally bipartisan on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and when we do disagree, we do so on the issues and not on the politics and the personalities. I have enormous respect for Mr. Mast, which he knows about, but I would say that this, today, is not a referendum on Iran. I agree with everything that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have said about Iran: its bad intention, its bad behavior. I agree. But, again, I say, as I said before, it doesn't mean we give another country, being an ally or not, a blank check to do whatever it pleases. And in this particular case, the conduct of the war in Yemen is something that we cannot just turn our heads away and say: ``Oh, well, this is the war and the Iranians are bad, so, therefore, we are going to look the other way.'' I think if we are talking about American weapons, we can demand better. So I think that these measures are a chance for the Congress to take back some of the power granted by the Constitution, to say that we won't stand by when any administration--this administration, administrations to come in both parties--we won't stand by when any administration ignores Congress, plays fast and loose with the law, and fails to demand accountability for human rights abuses around the world. I encourage all my colleagues to support this measure and the two others that we have just considered. I thank Mr. Mast and my friends on other side of the aisle for a spirited debate, and I yield back the balance of my time.