Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a businessman, a humanitarian, an advocate for Irish American Causes, but most importantly, a dear friend. I have known Sean Mackin for many years and I cherish the friendship he and I have forged over that time. I am honored to be able to recognize his many accomplishments. Born in Belfast, County Antrim, Sean joined the Irish republican movement at age 11. He was arrested and imprisoned several times by British security forces, starting at age 12, but was never found guilty. In 1978, Amnesty International cited Sean's cause as one of the five most serious cases of torture in Northern Ireland. Following his release from prison, he met and married Philomena Devine, and the two immigrated to New York in 1983. Shortly after relocating, Sean was detained at the behest of the British government. As a Member of Congress, I heard about Sean's case, and knew that if he were to be deported his life would be at grave risk. I decided to get involved on Sean's behalf, and we soon became fast friends. After our prolonged and hard fought legal battle, the Mackin family won a landmark decision. His wife and daughter became the first Irish women to be granted political asylum in the United States, and Sean's deportation order was denied as he would go on to become an American citizen. He has been very involved in the Irish peace process and has worked with elected officials in Washington D.C. promoting peace and justice in Northern Ireland. Sean is also a cofounder and chairman of the New York Irish Center known for its outstanding services to the senior Irish generation and suicide prevention assistance for the Irish community. In 2014, Sean was honored by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform for his work on behalf of undocumented Irish. Of course, Sean's true love is his family. He and Philomena have three children, Jenifer, Sean Og and Ciaran, and four grandchildren, Gavin, Tyan, Ella and Pierce. They all live in Eastchester, NY. This year, Sean will serve as Grand Marshal for the EIASC's 13th Annual Eastchester St. Patrick's Day Parade. I cannot think of a more fitting Grand Marshal. Congratulations to my friend Sean Mackin on receiving this wonderful honor.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time is remaining on both sides?

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro), co-chair of the Japan Caucus, a very respected member of our Committee on Foreign Affairs, and a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), my friend, co-chair of the Korea Caucus, and a respected member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Frankel), a very respected and hardworking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), the ranking member of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation, and let me start by thanking our chairman on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce from California. His personal commitment to this important issue is reflected by his long track record and leadership in crafting the legislation before us today. We have had innumerable talks about North Korea and the threat through the years. Ed Royce has always been there at the forefront in this very important issue. I am proud to be the lead Democratic cosponsor of the bill. We stand on the floor today speaking in a unified, bipartisan voice about the threat that North Korea and the Kim regime pose to the United States, to our friend and allies, and to peace and stability across the globe. Already, Mr. Speaker, North Korea poses a potentially catastrophic danger to our closest allies in Northeast Asia: Japan and South Korea. With each passing day, the reclusive regime in Pyongyang continues to make progress on nuclear and ballistic missile technology that could reach American soil. This isn't a laughing matter. This isn't a matter about something that might happen. This is a matter about something that will happen, unless we take steps to prevent it from happening. American administrations of both parties have tried and failed to curb the dangerous behavior of the Kim regime. Before Kim, you had his father and his grandfather before him. There is plenty of blame to go around for how we got here, but rehashing past mistakes won't get us anywhere. Instead, the United States and other global powers need to focus on this challenge before it is too late. However, I fear that the administration's inconsistency in recent weeks has thrown fuel to the fire. We have seen the White House blow hot and cold on the potential for talks with Pyongyang. We have seen careless rhetoric alienate South Korea, a critical ally whose partnership is essential in trying to contain North Korea. One week we see saber rattling toward North Korea, including the false claim that an aircraft carrier battle group was headed toward the Korean Peninsula, and the next week, the President saying he would be ``honored'' to meet with ``smart cookie'' Kim Jong-un, the latest in a long list of totalitarian strongmen who seem to have won the President's admiration. We are sending mixed signals, Mr. Speaker, and the world is taking notice. Inconsistency on national security matters is not a foreign policy strategy that will succeed. When America appears confused or unmoored, it emboldens our adversaries and gives our friends and allies pause. When we are talking about nuclear weapons, there is simply no margin for error. Fortunately, in this Congress, our priorities are clear: work with China and our close partners in the region and dial up pressure on the Kim regime to return to the negotiating table. Last year, under Chairman Royce's leadership, we passed a sanctions bill that President Obama signed into law. Kim Jong-un is exceedingly crafty: his regime is becoming increasingly effective at invading international sanctions. When we make sanctions tougher, they come up with new ways to get around them: phony bank accounts, fake companies overseas, shipments under foreign flags. We need to go back to the well to close the loopholes that the regime exploits. That is what this measure does. It dials up sanctions on those who do business with the Kim regime, hopefully, making them think twice before providing cover to one of the most brutal human rights abusers in the world and the nuclear ambitions of the leader of that country. If you buy certain materials like metals or minerals from North Korea, if you sell fuel that the North Korean military can use, if you have a role in maintaining overseas bank accounts or insuring the ships Pyongyang uses to evade the law, then you are going to get caught up in these new sanctions. If you ignore the U.N.'s limits on important North Korean coal or iron, or try to buy cheap textiles or fishing rights from the government, or help the Kim regime conduct business online, you will be subject to additional scrutiny with this legislation. With this bill, we will target those who use North Korean forced labor, a gross human rights abuse and a cash cow for the regime. We will consider limiting certain types of assistance to countries buying or selling American equipment to Pyongyang. In light of the recent public assassination of Kim's half brother, and other nefarious activities, we require the State Department to take a hard look at whether North Korea should be put back on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. The Kim regime must be made to understand that we will not back down in our effort to cut off support for its dangerous activities. Every time they cut another corner, we will put up another roadblock. We will come after them again and again until they realize there is no option but to sit down and negotiate. As we have seen, it won't be an easy process. Making real progress on complex global issues rarely is. Reckless threats and bombastic talk usually make matters worse, especially when you are dealing with an unpredictable and impulsive leader. The stakes are very high. No one wants to see war on the Korean Peninsula, least of all the 25 million people in Seoul and the nearly 30,000 United States troops who are in Pyongyang's sights every single day. We need to remain focused, with clarity of purpose, in order to get the results we all want. This bipartisan bill builds on our record in the House of grappling with this challenge. I am glad to join with Chairman Royce in this effort. I fully support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time, and I want to close the way I opened. I want to again thank Chairman Royce for authoring this measure and for his hard work. One of the things I have been most proud about as the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee is the collaborative work that the chairman and I have done together in passing so many bills with both our names. It is what the American people want us to do, and I think the Foreign Affairs Committee is a great example of how the American people want Congress to work together. This bill is exactly a product of that, of working together. If we want to pressure the Kim regime and if we want to prevent a potentially devastating conflict in Northeast Asia, we cannot be impulsive. The risks are too high. We need a strong, focused, and consistent policy. We need strong measures that cut off support for the Kim regime and careful diplomacy to bring the relevant players together. This bill represents an important part of such a policy. So, again, as I said, I am glad we are advancing this measure with strong bipartisan support, and I hope the other body will take up this legislation soon. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, before I call on the next speaker, I want to talk to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson). When we went on that trip to North Korea, I am sure that he will remember that he took a clandestine picture of a big billboard that was in Pyongyang showing a North Korean soldier with a bayonet sticking through an American soldier's head. So the propaganda and the anti-American rhetoric is ingrained, it is taught, and it was very disconcerting. I remember the gentleman sitting in the front of the bus very clandestinely taking that picture so no one would know. It was really a good thing to do. I want to thank the gentleman.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor two members of the community who have made some remarkable contributions to the Beth EI Synagogue Center, Donna and Abe Bartell. After being introduced on a blind date in 1993, Donna and Abe married in 1995. Having lived in Rhode Island and Bayside, Queens, Donna and Abe settled in New Rochelle in 2001 with their two-year-old daughter Hannah. That same year, their twin sons Stephen and Jesse were born. When choosing a synagogue, Donna gave Abe no choices. They would join a Conservative shul, and since they lived in New Rochelle, they were zoned to attend a New Rochelle synagogue. The obvious and only choice was Beth EI Synagogue Center. Beth EI quickly became the family's second home, a home which shared and celebrated Jesse's and Stephen's bris and the children's bnei mitzvahs. Hannah, Stephen, and Jesse all attended the Beth EI Nursery School, the amazing Day Camp, and, after spending Kindergarten through fifth grade at Schechter Westchester, they moved on to the Beth EI Religious School and became active in Beth El's USY chapter. Donna has served on numerous committees at Beth EI. She has enjoyed working on youth activities and organizing meals when Beth EI hosts the USY Kinnus. Donna has served as co-chair of the Membership Committee and Couples Club. She has also been on the Nursery School Board. Abe has served as a member of the Nursery School Board, Day Camp Board, Religious School Board, and Board of Trustees. He has been a member of numerous committees and chaired several, including the Nominating Committee, Catering and Kiddush Committee, and the Youth Services Committee. He has co-led many High Holiday Junior Congregation Services and Havurah Services as half of the now famous Dan & Abe Show. This year, Beth EI is honoring Donna and Abe at their 63rd Annual Gala for all of their contributions to the Synagogue. They are most deserving of the recognition. Congratulations to Donna and Abe on receiving this wonderful honor.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to honor two individuals who through their dedication and commitment have become synonymous with the Beth El Synagogue Center in Scarsdale, Tris and Sam Berger. In 1994, Tris and Sam Berger moved to Scarsdale from New York City and immediately joined Beth El Synagogue Center. Their daughter Yael (Yali) was born in 1996 and their son Kenny arrived in 2000. Tris, a San Diego native, became a bat mitzvah and was confirmed at Temple Beth Israel, the largest and oldest Reform Temple in San Diego. Sam was raised outside Philadelphia, where his parents were founding members of Temple Israel of Upper Darby and subsequently members of Temple Beth Sholom, in Elkins Park, PA. Both have had extremely successful careers at Price Waterhouse, among other institutions, and both have maintained an active community focused schedule outside of work. Tris has been involved in Beth El's Centennial Celebration Committees and co-chaired the Intergenerational Kallah. She was an area chair and divisional chair for UJA Scarsdale Woman's Philanthropy and currently chairs the Employment and Self Sufficiency Task Committee as part of the Caring Commission at UJA. She is also a member of the UJA Board of Directors. Sam has remained actively involved with the HR Committee, various search committees and on the Board of Trustees. He eventually became a Vice President and then Executive Vice President of Beth El. He assumed the position of President of 2014 and hasn't look back since. As President, Sam and his officers and other volunteers led the shul through the emotional retirement of our beloved rabbi of 43 years, Rabbi Melvin Sirner, to the exciting hiring of new senior rabbi, Rabbi David Schuck. Tris and Sam have become part of the very fabric of Beth El and their contributions have been many. This year, Beth El is honoring Tris and Sam at their 63rd Annual Gala on March 19th. They could not have honored two more deserving individuals. Congratulations to Tris and Sam on this wonderful occasion.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, as Young Israel of New Rochelle in my district celebrates its 50th Anniversary at its current location, there could not be a more fitting couple to honor at the celebration than Bob and Ruth Lewis. Ten years after its founding on Coligni Avenue in south New Rochelle, YINR moved to 1228 North Avenue in June 1967. One month later in July, 1967 Ruth and Bob joined that small group of congregants and since their arrival, the Lewises have been a significant presence in our community. Early on, Ruth with Rita Steimmauer Schiller prepared Shabbos kiddush and Bob corralled Jewish passersby to complete the sparse Friday night and Shabbos morning minyanim. Ruth was the head and motivating force of the committee for the formation of our eruv. Bob was a YINR vice president and a member of the search committee that hired Rabbi Fink. The Lewises have hosted the Bonnie Crest Friday night minyan since 1987. ``Dr. Ruth'', an internist and renowned endocrinologist has consulted on many of the more complicated medical problems of our members. `Dr. Bob', an OB-GYN, has delivered a number of the YINR offspring. Of all their accomplishments, the Lewises feel their greatest achievement has been their three daughters, Debbie, Adina, and Beth who have spent virtually their entire lives in New Rochelle and with their husbands have produced their remarkable eleven grandchildren. Debbie with her husband David Isaac, and Adina with her husband, Lawrence Garbuz, following their parents' example, have become valued, effective, respected members of our New Rochelle community. Beth and her husband, Yoel Greenbaum are highly thought of in their Teaneck community. Bob and Ruth have been cornerstones of the YINR and New Rochelle community, and their commitment to their family, friends, and fellow congregants is inspiring. On this special occasion, I want to take the opportunity to thank Bob and Ruth for all that they have done, and congratulate them on this wonderful and well deserved honor.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a member of the community who has been instrumental in the success of the Westchester Jewish Center for many years, Susan Lurie. The WJC is honoring Susan at their 66th Annual Spring Gala this year, and I cannot think of a more deserving honoree. Susan has been part of the Larchmont/Mamaroneck community for over 30 years. She became Executive Director of the Westchester Jewish Center 16 years ago after receiving a call from a congregant at WJC who was on the search committee for a new director there. What has kept Susan at WJC for all this time has been the interesting and diverse work; but even more than that has been the relationships and the feeling of home and family for so many congregants. Susan has been involved in every facet of WJC life. Over the years, Susan and the WJC leaders have worked together implementing innovative methods and programs such as a major building campaign and construction and the development of a strategic plan to make the many segments of synagogue life more engaging and responsive to the needs of its congregants. As a face of WJC, Susan is always warm and welcoming. After 16 years Susan has decided to retire and she reports with great pleasure about all the congregants that have come by to see her since the announcement was made. On this special occasion, I want to take a moment to thank Susan for all of her amazing work and congratulate her on this wonderful honor. It's much deserved.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my revulsion at the gas attacks killing innocent Syrian civilians. One of the responses from this Congress should be when we get back, as soon as possible, we pass the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2017. It is sponsored by myself and Chairman Royce. It is named in honor of the courageous former Syrian photographer known as ``Caesar,'' who testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2014 about the Assad regime's torture of Syrian civilians. This legislation passed the House in November 2016 by voice vote but didn't pass the other body. This bill requires the President to impose new sanctions on anyone who does business with or provides financing to the Government of Syria, including Syrian intelligence and security services, or the Central Bank of Syria. It sanctions anyone that provides aircraft or spare parts for aircraft to Syria's airlines, including financing. It sanctions anyone who does business with transportation or telecom sectors controlled by the Syrian Government or anyone who supports Syria's energy industry. Mr. Speaker, we need to send a strong message to the murderous Assad regime and a strong message to Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah that we will not tolerate attacks on innocent civilians.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I would add that we give foreign aid, and it is good for those countries, but it is also good for us. It also helps us. If there is a drug problem in Central America, it inevitably comes up to our border. If there is some problem with some developing country, say, we have a disease that could--Ebola or something like that, and we give money to help eradicate it, well, that will prevent Ebola from coming into the United States. So it is really a win-win situation. Again, if we are going to be the leaders of the world, certainly of the free world, and we want other countries to follow our lead, well, if you are a leader, you have to lead. What we are doing is in our own best interests, not only just in the other countries' best interests. I think it is important to say that. And it is important to, again, say, 1 percent--1.4 percent of our total budget is all the foreign aid and all the money that we give in terms of eradicating diseases, in terms of crime, in terms of everything that is actually very important to us as well. The American people think it is much higher, but it is not. So if you take the President's slashing of it, it would virtually make all of this impossible to do. So it is a program that is a win-win situation.

Mr. ENGEL. Absolutely. Again, I want to reiterate that we are not the leaders of the world because we anointed ourselves. We are the leaders of the world because we provided leadership for all of these years, particularly after World War II, and it is important to engage with the world. One of the gentlemen mentioned some of the things that the President said. You know, one of the things he did was he called NATO obsolete. That kind of talk worries me because it is our alliances that are the pillar of our foreign policy and the strength of the United States and our alliances which have worked so well since World War II. So if we denigrate our alliances, and then we cut funding for all these programs that help various countries so we can be a leader by about a third, that doesn't say much for a robust foreign policy. You get to be a leader by acting like a leader, not by pulling away from the world.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree with him more. And, you know, it is especially interesting since, during the campaign, President Trump attacked the previous administration for not being strong enough, for not showing American presence. And now with this cut, with this proposed 31 percent cut, I couldn't think of anything that would make us weaker or make us unable to do what we need to do. So I hope the President remembers what he said during the campaign and acts accordingly so that these massive cuts can be taken away.

Mr. ENGEL. You are doing a fine job.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, in 2013, Secretary of Defense Mattis similarly said: ``If you don't fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition ultimately. So I think it's a cost benefit ratio. The more that we put into the State Department's diplomacy, hopefully the less we have to put into a military budget as we deal with the outcome of an apparent American withdrawal from the international scene.'' That is from Secretary of Defense Mattis. I couldn't agree with him more. Now, I believe that development helps to lift countries and communities up today so they can become strong partners on the global stage tomorrow. A lot of us think we have a moral obligation to help cure disease, improve access to education, and advance human rights. But even if it were not the right thing to do, it would be the smart thing to do because those efforts lead to greater stability, more responsive governments, and stronger rule of law--populations that share our values and priorities. Poverty and lack of opportunity, on the other hand, provide fertile ground for those who mean us harm. All these efforts, by the way, cost cents on the dollar compared to military engagement. People think international affairs and foreign aid are a massive chunk of the Federal budget, but the chart right over here next to me shows how it actually stacks up: 1.4 percent. And we make that sliver of the pie even smaller. It will come back on us in spades. 1.4 percent of our Federal budget goes to all these programs. The diseases we don't combat will reach our shores; the communities on which we turn or backs may be the next generation of people who mean us harm; and the conflicts we fail to defuse may well grow into the wars we need to fight later at a much higher cost in terms of American blood and treasure. Just imagine having to tell the parents of a young American soldier that their son or daughter was killed in battle because we weren't willing to spend the tiny sums needed to prevent the conflict. Finally, let me say that the American people don't want to see us slash diplomacy and development. In fact, recent data shows that 72 percent of Americans believe the country should play a leading global role. Nearly 6 in 10 believe funding levels at the State Department should stay the same or increase. Fortunately, the Congress is a coequal branch of government. I want to the remind the executive branch of that. We in Congress decide how much to invest in our international affairs, not the White House. For example, regardless of how this administration is playing footsie with Vladimir Putin, Congress will devote resources to push back against the Kremlin's efforts to spread disinformation and destabilize our allies, just like they did to the United States during last year's election campaign. I am hopeful that, as we move forward with next year's spending bills, we continue to provide our diplomatic and development efforts the support they need and the support they have received under Republican and Democratic Presidents alike. With the President's proposed cuts, I fear what message we are sending to the world. The United States is the global standard bearer for freedom, justice, and democracy. If we cede our role as a global leader, make no mistake, someone will step into the void. It could very well be another power that doesn't share our values or our interests. Think Russia or some country like that. We cannot allow that to happen. I am committed to ensuring it doesn't, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to firmly reject President Trump's cuts.

Mr. ENGEL. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I join with my colleagues. I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro), who is a valued member of our committee, for his leadership on this critical issue, and also the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires). I agree with everything that they have said heretofore about these draconian cuts. I am here because I am rising to strongly reject the Trump Administration's draconian cuts to the International Affairs Budget. Now 2\1/2\ months into the Trump Administration, I find myself deeply troubled by the direction American foreign policy is heading on many fronts. I was particularly shocked when the White House released its fiscal year 2018 budget calling for a 31 percent cut to American diplomacy and development efforts. In my view, cutting the International Affairs Budget by even a fraction of that amount would be devastating. We haven't seen many details, but a cut that drastic would surely mean that too many efforts and initiatives that do so much good would wind up on the chopping block. Here is the bottom line: Slashing diplomacy and development puts American lives at risk. If we no longer have diplomacy and development tools to meet international challenges, what does that leave? It leaves the military. Now, don't get me wrong. I have always supported a strong national defense, and I do support our military, and I do support giving them more money. But I also support using military force only as a measure of last resort. We should not send American servicemembers into harm's way unless we have exhausted every other option. If we are not investing in diplomacy and development, we aren't even giving these other options a chance. We rely on diplomacy to resolve conflicts across negotiating tables at multilateral gatherings and in quiet corners so that we don't need to resolve them down the line on the battlefield. Our diplomats work to strengthen old alliances and build new bridges of friendship and shared understanding. Just last week, the Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on the Trump Administration's efforts to decimate our International Affairs Budget. In his testimony at the hearing, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said that morale at the State Department is ``at its lowest point in my memory.'' It is deeply disturbing to hear that our diplomats, many of whom serve in dangerous places at high risk to themselves and their families, are so disheartened. Of course it is not just former diplomats who reject these cuts. A recent letter signed by more than 120 retired generals and admirals to House and Senate leadership said: ``We urge you to ensure that resources for the International Affairs Budget keep pace with the growing global threats and opportunities we face. Now is not the time to retreat.'' Mr. Speaker, I include their letter in the Record in its entirety. February 27, 2017. Hon. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader, House of Representatives. Hon. Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader, U.S. Senate. Hon. Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader, U.S. Senate. Dear Speaker Ryan, Minority Leader Pelosi, Majority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader Schumer: As you and your colleagues address the federal budget for Fiscal Year 2018. we write as retired three and four star flag and general officers from all branches of the armed services to share our strong conviction that elevating and strengthening diplomacy and development alongside defense are critical to keeping America safe. We know from our service in uniform that many of the crises our nation faces do not have military solutions alone--from confronting violent extremist groups like ISIS in the Middle East and North Africa to preventing pandemics like Ebola and stabilizing weak and fragile states that can lead to greater instability. There are 65 million displaced people today. the most since World War II, with consequences including refugee flows that are threatening America's strategic allies in Israel, Jordan, Turkey, and Europe. The State Department. USAID, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Peace Corps and other development agencies are critical to preventing conflict and reducing the need to put our men and women in uniform in harm's way. As Secretary James Mattis said while Commander of U.S. Central Command, ``If you don't fully fund the State Department, then I need to buy more ammunition.'' The military will lead the fight against terrorism on the battlefield, but it needs strong civilian partners in the battle against the drivers of extremism--lack of opportunity, insecurity, injustice, and hopelessness. We recognize that America's strategic investments in diplomacy and development--like all of U.S. investments--must be effective and accountable. Significant reforms have been undertaken since 9/11, many of which have been embodied in recent legislation in Congress with strong bipartisan support--on human trafficking, the rights of women and girls. trade and energy in Africa, wildlife trafficking. water. food security. and transparency and accountability. We urge you to ensure that resources for the International Affairs Budget keep pace with the growing global threats and opportunities we face. Now is not the time to retreat. Sincerely, 1. General Keith B. Alexander, USA (Ret.), Director. National Security Agency ('05-'14), Commander, U.S. Cyber Command ('10-'14) 2. General John R. Allen, USMC (Ret.), Commander, NATO International Security Force ('11-'13), Commander, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan ('11-'13) 3. Lt. General Edward G. Anderson III, USA (Ret.), Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Deputy, Commander, U.S. Northern Command ('02-'04) 4. Lt. General Thomas L. Baptiste, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee ('04-'07) 5. Lt. General Ronald R. Blanck, USA (Ret.), Surgeon General of the United States Army ('96-'00) 6. Lt. General H. Steven Blum, USA (Ret.), Deputy Commander, U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command ('09-'10) 7. Lt. General Steven W. Boutelle, USA (Ret.), Chief Information Officer and G6, United States Army ('03-'07) 8. Admiral Frank L. Bowman, USN (Ret.), Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion ('96-'04) 9. General Charles G. Boyd, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command ('92-'95) 10. General Bryan Doug Brown, LISA (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command ('03-'07) 11. General Arthur E. Brown, Jr., USA (Ret.), Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Amy ('87-'89) 12. Vice Admiral Michael Bucchi, USN (Ret.), Commander of the United States Third Fleet ('00-'03) 13. Lt. General John H. Campbell, USAF (Ret.), Associate Director of Central Intelligence for Military Support, Central Intelligence Agency ('00-'03) 14. General Bruce Carlson, USAF (Ret.), Director, National Reconnaissance Office ('09-'12) 15. General George W. Casey, Jr., USA (Ret.), Chief of Staff of the United States Army ('07-'11) 16. Lt. General John G. Castellaw, USMC (Ret.), Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources ('07-'08) 17. Lt. General Dennis D. Cavin, USA (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Army Accessions Command ('02-'04) 18. General Peter W. Chiarelli, USA (Ret.), Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army ('08-'12) 19. Lt. General Daniel W. Christman, USA (Ret.), Superintendent, United States Military Academy ('96-'01) 20. Lt. General George R. Christmas. USMC (Ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Reserve Affairs ('94-'96) 21. Admiral Vern Clark, USN (Ret.), Chief of Naval Operations ('00-'05) 22. Admiral Archie R. Clemins, USN (Ret.), Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet ('96-'99) 23. General Richard A. ``Dick'' Cody, USA (Ret.), Vice Chief of Staff, United States Army ('04-'08) 24. Lt. General John B. Conaway, USAF (Ret.), Chief, National Guard Bureau ('90-'93) 25. General James T. Conway, USMC (Ret.), Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps ('06-'10) 26. General John D.W. Corley, USAF (Ret.), Commander, Air Combat Command ('07-'09) 27. General Bantz J. Craddock, USA (Ret.), Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe ('06-'09) 28. Vice Admiral Lewis W. Crenshaw, Jr., USN (Ret.), Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Resources, Requirements, and Assessments ('04-'07) 29. Lt. General John ``Mark'' M. Curran, USA (Ret.), Deputy Commanding General Futures, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command ('03-'07) 30. General Terrence R. Dake, USMC (Ret.), Assistant Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps ('98-'00) 31. Lt. General Robert R. Dierker, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command ('02-'04) 32. Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, USN (Ret.), Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion ('04-'12) 33. Lt. General James M. Dubik, USA (Ret.), Commander, Multi National Security Transition Command and NATO Training Mission-Iraq ('07-'08) 34. Lt. General Kenneth E. Eickmann, USAF (Ret.), Commander, Aeronautical Systems Center, U.S. Air Force ('96- '98) 35. Admiral William J. Fallon, USN (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Central Command ('07-'08) 36. Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, USN (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Pacific Command ('02-'05) 37. Admiral Mark P. Fitzgerald, USN (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe ('07-'10) and U.S. Naval Forces Africa ('09-'10) 38. General Ronald R. Fogleman, USAF (Ret.), Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force ('94-'97) 39. Lt. General Benjamin C. Freakley, USA (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Army Accessions Command ('07-'12) 40. Lt. General Robert G. Gard, Jr., USA (Ret.), President, National Defense University ('77-'81) 41. Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, USN (Ret.), Chief of Naval Operations ('11-'15) 42. Lt. General Arthur J. Gregg, USA (Ret.), Army Deputy Chief of Staff ('79-'81) 43. Lt. General Wallace C. Gregson, USMC (Ret.), Commanding General, Marine Corps Forces Pacific and Marine Corps Forces Central Command ('03-'05) 44. Vice Admiral Lee F. Gunn, USN (Ret.), Inspector General, U.S. Navy ('97-'00) 45. General Michael W. Hagee, USMC (Ret.), Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps ('O3-'06) 46. Lt. General Michael A. Hamel, USAF (Ret.), Commander, Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center ('05-'08) 47. General John W. Handy, USAF (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Transportation Command and Commander, Air Mobility Command ('01-'05) 48. Admiral John C. Harvey, Jr., USN (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command ('09-'12) 49. General Richard E. Hawley, USAF (Ret.), Commander, Air Combat Command ('96-'99) 50. General Michael V. Hayden, USAF (Ret.), Director, Central Intelligence Agency ('06-'09) 51. General Paul V. Hester, USAF (Ret.), Commander, Pacific Air Forces. Air Component Commander for the U.S. Pacific Command Commander ('04-'07) 52. General James T. Hill, USA (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Southern Command ('02-'04) 53. Admiral James R. Hogg. USN (Ret.), U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee ('88-'91) 54. Lt. General Walter S. Hogle Jr., USAF (Ret.), Commander, 15th Air Force ('00-'01) 55. Lt. General Steven A. Hummer, USMC (Ret.), Deputy Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command ('13- '15) 56. Lt. General William E. Ingram, Jr.. USA (Ret.), Director, U.S. Army National Guard ('11-'14) 57. General James L. Jamerson, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command ('95-'98) 58. Lt. General Arlen D. Jameson, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Strategic Command ('93-'96) 59. Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, USN (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe ('01-'04) 60. Admiral Jerome L. Johnson, USN (Ret.), Vice Chief of Naval Operations ('90-'92) 61. Lt. General P. K. ``Ken'' Keen, USA (Ret.), Chief, Office of the U.S. Defense Representative to Pakistan ('11- '13) 62. Lt. General Richard L. Kelly, USMC (Ret.), Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics ('02-'05) 63. Lt. General Claudia J. Kennedy, USA (Ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Army Intelligence ('97-'00) 64. General Paul J. Kem, USA (Ret.), Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command ('01-'04) 65. General William F. Kernan, USA (Ret.), Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic/Commander in Chief. U.S. Joint Forces Command ('00-'02) 66. Lt. General Donald L. Kerrick, USA (Ret.), Deputy National Security Advisor to The President of the United States ('00-'01) 67. Lt. General Bruce B. Knutson, USMC (Ret.), Commanding General, Marine Corp Combat Command ('00-'01) 68. Vice Admiral Albert H. Konetzni, Jr., USN (Ret.), Deputy Conunander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet ('01-'04) 69. General Charles Chandler Krulak, USMC (Ret.), Commandant of the Marine Corps ('95-'99) 70. (Ret.), Lt. General William J. Lennox, Jr., USA (Ret.), Superintendent, United States Military Academy ('01- '06) 71. Vice Admiral Stephen F. Loftus, USN (Ret.), Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Logistics ('90-'94) 72. General Lance W. Lord, USAF (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Air Force Space Command ('02-'06) 73. Admiral James M. Loy, USCG (Ret.), Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard ('98-'02) 74. Vice Admiral Joseph Maguire, USN (Ret.), Deputy Director for Strategic Operational Planning, National Counterterrorism Center ('07-'10) 75. Admiral Henry H. Mauz, Jr., USN (Ret.), Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet ('92-'94) 76. Vice Admiral Justin D. McCarthy, SC, USN (Ret.), Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Readiness, and Logistics ('04-'07) 77. Lt. General Dennis McCarthy, USMC (Ret.), Commander, Marine Forces Reserve ('01-'05) 78. Vice Admiral John ``Mike'' M. McConnell, USN (Ret.), Director of the National Security Agency ('92-'96) 79. General David D. McKiernan, USA (Ret.), Commander, International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan ('08- '09) 80. General Dan K. McNeill, USA, (Ret.), Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan ('07-'08) 81. General Merrill A. McPeak, USAF (Ret.), Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force ('90-'94) 82. Lt. General Paul T. Mikolashek, USA (Ret.), Inspector General, U.S. Army/Commanding General of the Third U.S. Army Forces Central Command ('00-'02) 83. Vice Admiral Joseph S. Mobley, USN (Ret.), Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet ('98-'01) 84. General Thomas R. Morgan, USMC (Ret.), Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps ('86-'88) 85. Lt. General Carol A. Mutter, USMC (Ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Marine Corps ('96- '98) 86. Admiral Robert J. Natter, USN (Ret.), Commander, Fleet Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet ('00-'03) 87. General William L. Nyland, USMC (Ret.), Assistant Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps ('02-'05) 88. Lt. General Tad J. Oelstrom, USAF (Ret.), Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy ('97-'00) 89. Admiral Eric T. Olson, USN (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Special Operation Command ('07-'11) 90. Lt. General H. P. ``Pete'' Osman, USMC (Ret.), Commanding General II MEF ('02-'04) 91. Lt. General Jeffrey W. Oster. USMC (Ret.), Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer, Coalition Provisional Authority, Iraq '04), Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps ('98) 92. Admiral William A. Owens, USN (Ret.), Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff ('94-'96) 93. Lt. General Frank A. Panter, Jr., USMC (Ret.), Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics ('09-'12) 94. Vice Admiral David Pekoske, USCG (Ret.), Vice Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard ('09-'10) 95. General David H. Petraeus, USA (Ret.), Director, Central Intelligence Agency ('11-'12); Commander, Coalition Forces in Afghanistan ('10-'11) and Iraq ('07-'08) 96. Vice Admiral Carol M. Pottenger, USN (Ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability Development, NATO Allied Command Transformation ('10-'13) 97. Admiral Joseph W. Prueher, USN (Ret.), Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command ('96-'99) 98. Lt. General Harry D. Raduege, Jr., USAF (Ret.), Director, Defense Information Systems Agency/Commander, Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations/Deputy Commander, Global Network Operations and Defense, U.S. Strategic Command Joint Forces Headquarters, Information Operations ('00-'05) 99. Vice Admiral Norman W. Ray, USN (Ret.), Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee ('92-'95) 100. Lt. General John F. Regni, USAF (Ret.), Superintendent, United States Air Force Academy ('05-'09) 101. General Victor ``Gene'' E. Renuart, USAF (Ret.), Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command ('07-'10) 102. General Robert W. RisCassi, USA (Ret.), Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, Republic of Korea/U.S. Combined Forces Command ('90-'93) 103. Lt. General Norman R. Seip, USAF (Ret.), Commander, 12th Air Force/Air Forces Southern ('06-'09) 104. General Henry H. Shelton, USA (Ret.), Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff ('97-'01) 105. Admiral William D. Smith, USN (Ret.), U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee ('91-'93) 106. Admiral Leighton W. Smith, Jr., USN (Ret.), Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe ('94-'96) 107. Lt. General James N. Soligan, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Transformation, Allied Command Transformation ('06-'10) 108. Admiral James G. Stavridis, USN (Ret.), Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe ('09-'13) 109. Lt. General Martin R. Steele, USMC (Ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations, U.S. Marine Corps ('97-'99) 110. General Carl W. Stiner, USA (Ret.), Commander in Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command ('90-'93) 111. Vice Admiral Edward M. Straw, USN (Ret.), Director, Defense Logistics Agency ('92-'96) 112. Vice Admiral William D. Sullivan, USN (Ret.), U.S. Military Representative to NATO Military Committee ('06-'09) 113. Lt. General William J. Troy, USA (Ret.), Director, Army Staff ('10-'13) 114. Admiral Henry G. Ulrich, USN (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander, Joint Forces Command Naples ('05-'08) 115. General Charles F. Wald, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command ('02-'06) 116. General William S. Wallace, USA (Ret.), Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command ('05-'08) 117. Lt. General William ``Kip'' E. Ward, USA (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Africa Command ('07-'11) 118. General Charles E. Wilhelm, USMC (Ret.), Commander, U.S. Southern Command ('97-'00) 119. General Michael J. Williams, USMC (Ret.), Assistant Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps ('00-'02) 120. General Ronald W. Yates, USAF (Ret.), Commander. Air Force Materiel Command ('92-'95) 121. General Anthony C. Zinni, USMC (Ret.), Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command ('97-'00)

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, when people look at these bills, they want to know what they are going to pay. What this bill does is simple--you pay more and you get less. That is the bottom line--pay more and get less. The President promised better health care for more people at a lesser cost. But my Republican colleagues can no longer claim with any credibility that their plan achieves these goals. Twenty-four million people will lose coverage. People 50 to 64 will be hit with an age tax and pay premiums five times higher than everybody else. Deductibles will go up. And protections that make sure insurance companies offer minimum value will be thrown out. Again, the Republican bill, TrumpCare--pay more, get less--but it gives billionaires a tax break. That is really important; isn't it? With the Affordable Care Act, we set out to give Americans more affordable, higher quality health care. Is the law perfect? No. We should be working together to tweak the law. We should be working together to improve the law, not putting in a clunker like this bill, which will roll back the time on people's coverage. Roll back the time, give people less coverage, and let them pay more. That is not what the American people want. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''