Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to thank Representative Schiff and Representative Chabot for introducing this resolution which recognizes that the freedoms of the press and expression are being threatened globally. A free press is an essential pillar in every democracy. It shines light on corruption, speaks truth to power, and holds the government accountable. However, in recent years, there has been a growing assault on a free press. Mr. Speaker, there are far too many shocking examples of journalists being silenced, imprisoned, tortured, and even murdered around the world, with each abuse only furthering a 13-year decline in the freedom of expression. The price of protecting these rights has become extremely high. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in 2018, 54 journalists were killed and 64 went missing. At a time when the world looks to the United States to be champions for a free press, some call our journalists the enemy of the people. This administration's attack on the media undermines the First Amendment and creates a culture of intimidation and hostility towards journalists. By accusing media outlets of producing fake news, journalists find themselves less safe, and our country is less informed. So H. Res. 345 condemns threats to independent media and calls on governments to continue to address journalists' safety. It also reiterates the vital importance of a free press in the U.S. and to well-functioning democracies abroad, as well. It is our duty now, more than ever, to protect the freedom of the press and the public's right to information. I ask all Members to support this bipartisan resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 345 is an important resolution that honors journalists and calls on the United States and governments abroad to protect the freedom of the press. I commend Mr. Schiff and Mr. Chabot for this. Press freedom is fundamental in democracies and enhances public accountability, transparency, and participation in governance. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), who is the author of this bill and the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 441, a resolution condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994, 25 years ago this month. I have been to that community center. It is a vibrant community center. It was a horrific bombing that happened 25 years ago. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank Mr. Deutch for authoring this resolution and for his years of leadership advocating for justice for the victims of the AMIA bombing. In July of 1994, the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires was bombed. Eighty-five innocent people were killed and at least 300 people were wounded. Almost 25 years later, this heartbreaking tragedy and vicious act of anti-Semitism still is an open wound. Justice has not been served. This hits close to my heart. I have visited AMIA twice to meet with the community there and pay my respects to the victims and the Argentine Jewish community. For 25 years, the Argentine people have been waiting for the perpetrators of this horrific act of violence and hate to be brought to justice. So, I am glad we are considering this resolution today to keep this issue on the front burner and to continue to show solidarity with the victims. The measure before us condemns the AMIA attack and expresses the United States' condolences to the families of the 85 victims. This resolution also makes it clear that those responsible for the murder of innocent civilians must be held accountable. Years of investigation have found that the perpetrators of this attack were Hezbollah operatives with strong links to Iranian Government officials. Despite the international outcry and a stack of Interpol red notices demanding that these individuals be brought to justice, Iran refuses to hold the perpetrators accountable. Par for the course for the Government of Iran. It is the duty of all of us here in Congress to stand with the Argentine people as they demand that those responsible face consequences for their crimes. I hope our friends in the Argentine Government and justice system will do everything they can to finally provide closure for the victims' families. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve 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. Res. 441.

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. 2744.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking my friend from Texas once again, the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. McCaul, for his hard work on this measure. I am glad to be a cosponsor. Mr. Speaker, our development efforts around the world accomplish so much. Whether it is helping build a road that links a small village to a trade hub, working with governments to make their justice systems more transparent and accountable, assisting communities to get clean drinking water, or expanding access to broadband internet in rural areas, American development work is making differences you can see in people's lives. It is also projecting our country's character of compassion and generosity. So when I travel around the world and I see the USAID logo--it is that recognizable seal of two hands clasped in friendship--on the front door of a new school or a wastewater treatment facility or a pallet of food on its way to refugees, it makes me proud. It really does. The people benefiting from that assistance should know where it is coming from, too. We should signal to the world our commitment to development is a core pillar of America's global engagement. This legislation reaffirms the obligation to brand our foreign assistance while continuing to provide needed flexibility to ensure we are not putting our partners or aid recipients at risk. It requires a long overdue audit to ensure that USAID projects are appropriately branded in the field. This is something Mr. McCaul and I have been working on closely together. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter on this issue that Mr. McCaul and I wrote to the USAID administrator, our former House colleague, Mark Green. House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, July 15, 2019. Mr. Mark Green, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC. Dear Administrator Green: We write to you today to reiterate the Congressional intent behind HR 2744, the USAID Branding Modernization Act, which we have introduced in the 116th Congress. Providing foreign assistance around the world demonstrates the generosity of Americans, and furthers our foreign policy objectives. Branding foreign assistance is always the first preference, to ensure that those receiving assistance know that support comes from the American people. As such, the Congress believes, and has affirmed, that in general, foreign assistance provided using U.S. taxpayer dollars should be branded, as appropriate. This demonstrates U.S. commitment to assisting those in need, be it through food aid after a drought, job training to empower women entrepreneurs, or life-saving vaccines to eradicate polio. That said, Congress acknowledges the need for discretion and flexibility in branding in some instances to ensure the safety and security of both implementing partners and beneficiaries. This bill in no way amends that understanding, or any authorities, which would impact the ability or need for USAID to provide branding waivers or exemptions as appropriate, with input from and ongoing communication with implementing partners. As referenced in the legislation, 22 USC 2401 asserts that programs ``shall be identified appropriately overseas''. Federal Register rules and regulations under 2 CFR Part 700 provide waivers to ensure that branding does not put partners or beneficiaries at risk, and USAID internal guidance regarding marking and branding policies remain at the discretion of the Agency. Finally, this bill requires an audit, conducted by the Inspector General for USAID, on the compliance with relevant branding and marking requirements. This is not intended to re-litigate branding decisions regarding waivers or exemptions that are already in place. Rather, this audit is intended to provide a more comprehensive picture for USAID, its implementing partners, and Congress, of the challenges to successful branding and marking, and how to better communicate, provide guidance, and implement, branding and marking requirements. We appreciate USAID's ongoing efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises, to advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. We look forward to continuing to work with USAID on effective foreign assistance. Sincerely, Eliot L. Engel, Chairman. Michael T. McCaul, Ranking Member.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Well, I would say to the gentleman, if it happened on the other night, I would have invited him to my house for a drink, but we will have to do that another time. Mr. Speaker, supporting democracy and human rights around the world is an area where our values and our interests clearly intersect. Basic freedoms: Accountable, transparent governments, respect for individual dignity, these are the values we seek to promote around the world and the values that underpin a vibrant democracy. They are also what makes countries stronger, better and more stable partners for the United States on the world stage. That is good for our interests and our security as well. So we want to keep supporting the people of Cambodia, we want them to have a say in the future of their country. That starts by demanding accountability for those who have suppressed democracy and basic freedoms. This bill is an important step in that process. I am glad to support it. I urge all Members to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 526) to promote free and fair elections, political freedoms, and human rights in Cambodia, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, the horrific murder of Jamal Khashoggi demands accountability and justice. After the astounding evidence we have seen, it just cannot be business as usual; and since the administration is dragging its feet, Congress must step forward. So I urge my colleagues to join me today and support the Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act, and I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Malinowski) for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Malinowski), who is the author of this bill and a valued member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), the chairman of the Rules Committee and co-chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to report the Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019. I want to take this opportunity to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Malinowski) for his leadership, his thoughtfulness, and his vision in authoring this legislation. Mr. Malinowski came to this body with a long track record of fighting for human rights, and he arrived ready to tackle one of the thorniest issues: How do we ensure justice for those responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi? How do we demand accountability when the President refuses? Jamal Khashoggi was a Washington Post contributing columnist and legal permanent U.S. resident. He was killed by Saudi Government personnel on October 2, 2018, during his visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death have been extensively reported on by media outlets, briefed to some Members in classified settings, and investigated by the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings. We still haven't seen any real accountability for this heinous crime. The Saudis originally denied any involvement and then made the outlandish claim that this killing was an accident--yes, accidental killing by bone saw. Give me a break. The Trump administration said it would hold those responsible to account, but they have been dragging their feet. We still haven't seen any real action, so Congress must step in. This important legislation mandates a report from the Director of National Intelligence about those who were responsible for, complicit in, or played a supporting role in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. The legislation then imposes a visa ban on those individuals. This bill, though, has a thoughtful off-ramp. In an effort to reshape our relationship with Saudi Arabia, which is a very important U.S. partner, the legislation says that if Saudi Arabia releases the journalists and activists currently imprisoned in the kingdom, fully cooperates in the investigation of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and reforms its systems to value human rights, those visa bans will not be imposed. If Saudi Arabia is looking for a way to reset the U.S.-Saudi relationship, I invite them to look at this legislation. I hope they do. The Saudis are an important security partner, but we cannot just look the other way when they ignore international norms and basic human rights and when they murder a journalist in broad daylight in a diplomatic facility. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, July 9, 2019. Hon. Jerrold Nadler, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 2037, the Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability act of 2019. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary. I acknowledge that the Committee will not formally consider H.R. 2037 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in H.R. 2037 which fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation 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, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 432) condemning the attacks on peaceful protesters and supporting an immediate peaceful transition to a civilian-led democratic government in Sudan, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, I again want to thank Mr. Kildee, Mr. Bilirakis, and, of course the Speaker pro tempore, Mr. McGovern. What happens in Sudan in the coming weeks and months is a high priority for the United States. It is in our national security interest to support a peaceful, civilian-led political transition in Sudan and is consistent with our values to support the democratic aspirations of a people who have suffered under a brutal, violent rule for so long. I urge all Members to join me in supporting this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure, and I want to start by thanking Mr. McCaul for his partnership in authoring this legislation. Through our close, bipartisan collaboration, we have before us today legislation that supports the people of Central America and strengthens our national security by addressing the root causes of child and family migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. I was leading a congressional delegation to El Salvador with Mr. McCaul in March when the Trump administration decided to cut off foreign assistance in the region, a decision that I view as misguided and counterproductive. In San Salvador, we saw up close the direct, meaningful impact of our USAID investments. Our delegation visited with an incredible group of young people who were being trained in computer programming and offered a path to a better life. The United States is helping to provide opportunities for a better future for the people of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras so children and families are able to build prosperous lives for themselves, and they aren't forced to make the dangerous journey to our southern border. But it is not just development assistance we are providing. In San Salvador, we met with FBI agents leading our transnational antigang task force. With State Department funding, the FBI established these task forces in the Northern Triangle over the past decade to counter the growth of MS-13, the 18th Street gang, and other violent criminals. These units train Salvadorian police officers and work closely with them to dismantle gang leadership structures in the United States and Central America. They make our communities and constituents safer. So I was pleased to return to Washington and partner with Mr. McCaul to draft this legislation authorizing our assistance to Central America for fiscal year 2020. The bill also includes strong conditions on any assistance that goes to the central governments of the Northern Triangle countries. In addition, it lays out a series of actions to be taken by the Secretary of State, the USAID Administrator, and other U.S. Government officials to promote inclusive economic growth and development, combat corruption, strengthen domestic institutions, and improve security conditions in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Lastly, it puts in place targeted visa bans and asset freezes for corrupt individuals from the Northern Triangle countries. Endemic corruption by government and nongovernment actors in Central America is hurting the region's poor and most vulnerable people, and we should do whatever we can to stop it. Today, the House of Representatives must stand together to pass this commonsense piece of legislation that helps the United States and families and children in the Northern Triangle. So, I again thank Mr. McCaul for his partnership and for working with me to address the root causes of migration to the U.S. from Central America. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, June 5, 2019. Hon. Jerrold Nadler, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 2615, the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary. I acknowledge that the Committee will not seek a referral of or formally consider H.R. 2615 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in H.R. 2615 which fall within your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation 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, let me thank Mr. McCaul, and it is a pleasure to work with him on matters like this. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa).

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. 2615.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Providing opportunities for the most vulnerable individuals from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras is common sense, and working to address the root causes of child and family migration is a long-term solution that we should all be able to agree on. It is the right thing to do, but it is also in our own interest. And while U.S. foreign assistance is crucial, it is not a gift. It must come with strong conditions. Our legislation puts in place such conditions for our assistance to the Northern Triangle and includes tough, smart, targeted sanctions to combat corruption. By passing this bill today, Congress can send, and will send, a loud and clear message that we stand with the people of the Northern Triangle countries to make their countries safer and more prosperous so they aren't forced to make the dangerous trek here. We can also send a message to China and Russia that the U.S. will not abandon our friends and partners in Central America. Let me conclude by thanking Mr. McCaul for his partnership on this measure. We truly worked on this together. We were together in Central America when we got the word of the potential cutoff of funding, and we worked closely together in a bipartisan way to make sure that that wouldn't be the case. So I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I thank Mr. McCaul again, 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. 129) condemning the Government of Saudi Arabia's continued detention and alleged abuse of women's rights activists, 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. 129.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, let me again thank my colleagues for their hard work on this measure, and let me thank Mr. Wilson for his hard work. Mr. Speaker, when we see abuses of human rights around the world, when we see women treated as second-class citizens and denied basic dignity, we need to speak out. We need to speak out whether it is an adversary or friend. That is what is demanded of American leadership. It is what sets us apart from other powers on the global stage. The treatment of women in Saudi Arabia is abhorrent. The jailing of activists is unacceptable. And it is one more roadblock in our relationship with a country that has been and should continue to be an important partner. I hope it changes soon, along with a lot of other things, so that we can get back on track. Mr. Speaker, I support the measure, I urge all Members to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.