Pete King

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Speaker of the House for her bipartisan comments, and I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Senate's revision of what was a solid, balanced bill, H.R. 556, the ``Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007.'' This bill fails to make a number of very much needed reforms to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (``CFIUS''). I am disappointed that the legislation, passed by the Senate and considered today, makes changes to the bill originally passed by the House, that significantly weaken the legislation. As originally passed by the House, H.R. 556 ensured that the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is given adequate time to conduct a thorough analysis of proposed transactions. If the DNI identified complex issues that could not be resolved within that initial 30-day review, the transaction would be sent to a 45-day investigation. These intelligence reviews were missing during the Dubai Ports debacle last year and are absolutely vital to our homeland security. The Senate version short-shrifts these intelligence reviews and requires the DNI to complete his work within 20 days. It fails to consider more complicated cases that may require additional scrutiny. In addition, the bill passed by the House both last year and this year would have elevated the Secretary of Homeland Security to a position as Vice-Chair of CFIUS and required both the Departments of Treasury and Homeland Security to approve all CFIUS findings. This was a sensible approach that balanced foreign investment with national security. In the post-9/11 world, homeland security considerations must be our first consideration, not our last. Elevating the Secretary of Homeland Security to the Vice-Chair position would have ensured that while we encourage foreign investment, we would never again side-step the security of our homeland. The legislation we are considering today does not include this important provision. The Senate's revision would allow a simple majority to overrule the Secretary of Homeland Security or Defense with respect to whether or not a transaction should receive a more thorough vetting through a National Security Investigation. The House bill had required an investigation if any Committee member thought it necessary to protect our national security. Further, the mechanism for approving the Committee's findings is conspicuously absent from the Senate language, whereas the House allowed for any dissenting Committee member to push the transaction to the President for his consideration. Each of these provisions was included to prevent a future Dubai Ports scenario. Elevating the Secretary of Homeland Security as Vice-Chair would have ensured that the DHS's concerns were seriously addressed by the Department of Treasury. Giving the DNI adequate time to conduct a thorough review would have guaranteed that Members would get more than a shrug of the shoulders when asking pointed questions about Dubai's reported ties to the Taliban. Rollcall votes would have demanded accountability for what was an ill-informed decision. I cannot in good faith support this legislation because it fails to make the vital changes noted above to improve the current CFIUS process. We are missing an opportunity to enact reforms that will ensure that a debacle like the Dubai Ports World transaction does not happen again. I will therefore vote against H.R. 556.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding, and thank him for the service he has rendered to this body in the 6 brief months he's been here. He is certainly following well in the tradition of his father, who is a long-time friend of mine. Let me also say how gratifying it is to be on the floor and have the manager of this bill which pertains to Tony Blair being managed by the distinguished Ambassador Watson, who does such an outstanding job as cochair of the United States-United Kingdom Congressional Caucus. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in support of this resolution. I was especially privileged to introduce it because as Tony Blair exits from the Office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he takes with him the admiration and the best wishes of all freedom-loving people throughout the world. No one certainly has been a closer ally to the United States than Prime Minister Tony Blair. No one personifies the close links between the United States and Great Britain than Tony Blair; certainly follows in the tradition of Winston Churchill, who did more than anyone until his time to cement that relationship, and Tony Blair has even advanced it more. Whether it was President Clinton or President Bush, Tony Blair always stood as our strongest ally in Bosnia, in Kosovo, in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the international war against terrorism, and standing up for democratic principles and values. And certainly as a New Yorker, I will always remember the fact that he was the first foreign leader to come to New York, to come to Ground Zero to meet with the firefighters and meet with the police officers and express the solidarity of the British people toward the people of New York, and of course, to the people of the United States, and to all peoples who were opposed to international terrorism. And then, as Ambassador Watson mentioned, the fact that he was here in the House Chamber on September 20, 2001 when President Bush addressed the American people also showed his absolute commitment to the United States and to the war against terrorism. As an Irish American, I have been involved for many years in the quest for a peaceful solution to the struggle in Northern Ireland. And depending on which historian you're talking to or which analyst you're talking to, this is a struggle that went back 800 years, 300 years, 80 years, 35 years. It really doesn't matter what timeline we're using, the reality is it was a seemingly unending struggle which was going to go on and on and on. And then the stars were properly aligned and Tony Blair became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Bertie Ahern became the Prime Minister of Ireland, and President Clinton committed himself to using the good offices of the United States as an honest broker to try to bring about a peaceful resolution in the north of Ireland. And through incredible hard work and perseverance and dedication, it worked. And not only did Tony Blair deal with Prime Minister Ahern and President Clinton, what he did even took more courage, and that was to reach out to historic enemies, if you will, of the British Government. He reached out to people such as Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness and Sinn Fein, and he brought them to the negotiating table and sat down with them and worked with them. And he had them to 10 Downing Street and he broke down centuries of division and hatred. And at the same time, he worked with those on the other side, strongly on the other side, not just David Trimble of the Ulster Unionist Party, but also Ian Paisley of the Democratic Unionist Party. And the Good Friday Agreement would not have been possible in April of 1998 without Tony Blair, but also the Good Friday Agreement went on for almost 9 years afterwards until it was finally brought to its ultimate fruition earlier this month. And it was done because Tony Blair never yielded. There were so many times between April of 1998 and May or June of this year that that agreement could have fallen apart, that it could have splintered, that it could have shattered if Tony Blair was not willing to take that extra step, and he did that. And during this entire time that he was bringing peace to Northern Ireland and standing with us as our strongest ally, also Britain itself was under attack. And as Mr. Bilirakis and Ambassador Watson mentioned, on July 7, 2005, when the London underground was attacked by terrorists causing large scale carnage and loss of life, and Tony Blair again stood strong and stood firm. So, this is a moment where it's seldom that we see giants in history, and it's important, I think, that we not wait 50 years or 100 years or several centuries to acknowledge them, but to acknowledge them in their own time as being prophets with honor. So I, again, say I've had the privilege a number of times of being with Tony Blair. I was with him with President Clinton in Washington and in Belfast and Armagh City in Northern Ireland, and just last month, again, at the British Embassy. He certainly is a man of stature, he's a man of achievement and he's a man of courage. I am proud to support this resolution, and I urge its adoption.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. It was done in concert with DNDO and with the three States.

Mr. KING of New York. Yes. I will absolutely assure him that I will work with the city of New York and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that this money is allocated and used for this purpose and that the agreement be expedited as quickly as possible.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the coauthor of the amendment, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul).

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Staten Island, Brooklyn, (Mr. Fossella), who lost more than 300 people on September 11.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. Let me again at the outset commend the gentleman from North Carolina for his good faith and effort. We have an honest disagreement on this, but I certainly commend him for the time and concern he has shown on this issue, and I certainly appreciate his offer to work with me. I would just ask to introduce into the Record this letter from virtually every law enforcement official from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, State police, local police, fire commissioners in New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, and all of the State officials of New Jersey and Connecticut. I urge the adoption of the amendment. New York Regional Joint Working Group on Securing the Cities, June 12, 2007. Subject: FY08 Appropriation for Securing the Cities Initiative. Hon. Peter T. King, Ranking Member, House Homeland Security Committee, Washington, DC. Dear Ranking Member King: We are writing to urge you to fully fund the President's FY08 request for the Securing the Cities (STC) initiative: $30 million for procurement and $10 million for R&D. We are profoundly concerned by the prospect of a terrorist attack against New York involving a radiological weapon or improvised nuclear weapon. We know al-Qaeda and its affiliates are interested in perpetrating such an attack and will do so if they can. The STC initiative is the only federal initiative dedicated to defending New York from this catastrophic possibility. A Congressional decision to provide less than the full amount requested by the President for this new and important program will significantly impair our region's ability to defend against, and prepare for, the most terrible threat imaginable. The STC initiative is an extraordinary example of interagency and intergovernmental collaboration. Together, we represent three layers of government, three states, over ninety counties, numerous cities, and many different agencies. In partnership with the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) of the Department of Homeland Security, we are working together in a truly unprecedented fashion. In the short time since STC began, for instance, we have conducted two full-scale exercises (with a third planned for this week) in which a radiological substance was surreptitiously transported in a vehicle on a highway and then intercepted by our agencies; we have coordinated our procurement of radiological detection equipment and have designed a concept of operations for the larger regional system envisioned in the STC initiative. A regional deployment plan for FY08 is nearing completion and has been delayed mainly by uncertainty over the total amount of funding that will be available from the Federal Government. We appreciate your full consideration of this request. We welcome the opportunity to brief Members of Congress or their staffs on the progress of this initiative either in the New York region or in Washington, DC. We believe the Securing the Cities initiative in the New York region should be a model for the nation which was indeed one of its intended purposes. Sincerely, Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, New York City Police Department. Nicholas Scoppetta, Commissioner, New York City Fire Department. Preston L. Felton, Acting Superintendent, New York State Police. Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes, Superintendent, New Jersey State Police. Colonel Thomas Davoren, Connecticut State Police. James H. Lawrence, Commissioner of Police, Nassau County Police Department. Richard Dormer, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department. William A. Morange, Deputy Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department. Michael Balboni, Deputy Secretary for Public Safety, New York State. F. David Sheppard, Director, New York State Office of Homeland Security. James F. Kralik, Sheriff, Rockland Couty Sheriffs Office. Thomas Belfiore, Commissioner, Westchester County Police Department. Richard Canas, Director, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. James M. Thomas, Commissioner, Connecticut Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Samuel J. Plumeri, Jr., Superintendent of Police, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Emily Lloyd, Commissioner, New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Thomas R. Frieden, Commissioner, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Joseph Bruno, Commissioner, New York City Office of Emergency Management. Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. KING of New York. But it will be. Again, this is a letter signed by all the ranking officials in New York State, New Jersey, and Connecticut. All that is holding it up is this appropriation. Once the amount is known, they will go ahead. But other than that, they cannot go ahead.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman stated that no agreement has been reached and would not be reached until the summer of 2007. We are talking about several weeks from now. The summer of 2007 is coming upon us. And also as far as the agreement's being reached, I have a letter which I would like to introduce into the Record, signed by officials from New York State, New Jersey, and Connecticut, all of whom say all that is delaying the agreement is the finalizing of this appropriation. They are ready to go. They have an agreement in place ready to go, just subject to this appropriation.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. KING of New York. Yes, that is true.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Chairman, at the outset let me commend Chairman Price and Ranking Member Rogers for the outstanding job, I believe, and the effort they put into putting this legislation together. And I commend them on an issue which is so vital to our Nation, homeland security. My amendment would restore $40 million to the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, DNDO, specifically relating to the Securing the Cities Initiative and the Radiation Portal Monitor program. Mr. McCaul, as the cosponsor of the amendment, will address himself in a few moments to the Radiation Portal Monitor program. I'm going to stress the STC. Mr. Chairman, intelligence and recent terrorist attacks overseas have led to the conclusion that the next attack against our cities may very well come from outside the city, from suburban areas. And certainly, in New York City, it's been concluded that the STC is the only program which is dedicated to protecting cities against this threat. Specifically, the STC program involves a ring of radiological detectors on highways, bridges, tunnels and waterways leading into cities. Indeed, the police commissioner of New York, Commissioner Kelly, has said that this program is our best last defense to keep a nuclear or dirty bomb from being detonated within cities. So this should be a bipartisan matter. While it directly affects New York at this moment, this is a pilot program which will affect the entire Nation. There's already been two full exercises run. I was present at one of them last week, seeing how effective it was. It involves 90 counties, three States, numerous cities and many agencies. And it, to me, serves no purpose at all to be taking, in effect, $20 million out of a valuable program, a program which very well could end up saving thousands and thousands of lives. And I say that as someone who came from a district that lost well over 100 people on September 11 and certainly doesn't want to go through that again. This is a very effective, meaningful program, and I would, again, implore the House to restore this money, $40 million, to the DNDO.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 295, a resolution recognizing the strong alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States and expressing appreciation to the Republic of Korea for its efforts in the Global War on Terror. As the sponsor of this resolution, I join with over 35 of my colleagues in urging the House to pass this resolution today. For almost six decades, the United States and the Republic of Korea have maintained a strong alliance that rests on a shared commitment to peace, democracy, and freedom not only on the Korean peninsula but throughout Asia and the rest of the world. The nearly 30,000 American soldiers who remain stationed in the Republic of Korea are a testament to this relationship. Since September 11, 2001 we have seen this bond further strengthened as Korea has joined with the United States and other coalition nations in supporting the Global War on Terror both militarily and financially. Korean President Roh truly understands this grave threat and the need for it to be confronted. Presently, the Republic of Korea has the third largest coalition contingent of forces in Iraq. Korea also has troops deployed in Afghanistan and has generously pledged $460,000,000 toward reconstruction and stabilization efforts in post-war Iraq. The U.S. and Korea also both remain deeply committed to the Six Party Talks and have a mutual interest in keeping the Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons. Finally, the U.S. and Korea have been working diligently on a free trade agreement between our two countries that will deepen economic ties and boost trade and investment for both countries. I am pleased that these negotiations concluded on April 1, 2007 and it is my hope that the agreement will soon be signed and Congress passes the required enacting legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to pass this resolution today.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge one of our key allies--the Republic of Azerbaijan--as it celebrates its 89th Annual Republic Day on May 28. After the fall of the Russian Empire, Azerbaijan proclaimed its independence on May 28, 1918. Unfortunately, the Red Army invaded Azerbaijan on April 28, 1920 preempting its reach for liberty for seventy years. Azerbaijan's second opportunity for freedom came at a heavy price following the 1990 invasion of Baku by Soviet troops resulting in the death of more than one hundred thirty civilians. Moscow's rule, however, grew weaker and by 1991 popular pressure led the country to declare its independence. On August 30, 1991, Azerbaijan's Parliament adopted the Declaration on the Restoration of the State of Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan and on October 18, 1991 the Constitution was approved. Given past Soviet rule and the difficult geopolitical environment, Azerbaijan's determination to look westward for its political and economic allies should be applauded. Azerbaijan was among the first nations to offer the United States support in the Global War on Terror, providing airspace and airport use for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan was also the first Muslim nation to send troops to Iraq. Though bilateral cooperation on terrorism issues between the United States and Azerbaijan predates September 11, 2001, our relations were strengthened following Azerbaijan's immediate and unwavering support in the Global War on Terror. Azerbaijan cooperates with the United States within international and regional institutions including the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and NATO's Partnership for Peace Program. Azerbaijan also works together with the United States within the framework of the Organization for Democracy and Development--GUAM which is comprised of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The group was created as a political, economic, and strategic alliance aimed at overcoming common risks and threats and strengthening the independence and sovereignty of its member states. During the last decade, Azerbaijan has implemented structural reforms and adopted numerous legislative changes to pave the way for further integration within the global economy. It has also been moving toward a more diversified economy that would achieve sustainable growth and meet the social and developmental needs of its population. Since signing the ``Contract of the Century'' in 1994, Azerbaijan has developed its energy sources within the Caspian region to help diversify western energy supplies. On July 13, 2006 the Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan main oil export pipeline was inaugurated while the Baku-Tbilisi- Erzurum natural gas pipeline is expected to be completed at the end of this month. In addition, in March 2007 Azerbaijan and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Security in the Caspian region aimed at strengthening our already strong cooperation with respect to the supply and transport of Caspian energy resources and bolstering energy security in the West. Let us today congratulate the Republic of Azerbaijan on its forthcoming 89th Anniversary celebrations and continue to develop this important friendship between our two countries.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the defeat of this supplemental appropriation. It is wrong in so many ways. And I say that as someone who strongly believes that the war in Iraq is the central front in the war against terrorism. I say that, and I see my colleague here, Mr. Fossella, someone who lost hundreds of friends and neighbors and constituents on September 11. And I also say that as someone who says this supplemental is sending all the wrong possible signals. It is sending the wrong signal to General Petraeus. It is sending the wrong signal to our troops. And probably most importantly of all, it is sending the wrong signal to the enemy. It is telling them that we in the Congress think there should be 535 commanders in chief, 535 commanders in the field; telling the enemy that they have 60 days to create whatever chaos and carnage and confusion they can to influence the media, to influence those here in the House who are looking for an excuse to cut off funding for the troops. If we have a Commander in Chief, a commander in the field, they should be given the ultimate power and authority to prosecute the war. If the Democrats want to make this their war, that is one thing, but this should be above politics. It is not a political issue. It is not something that should be gauged on public opinion polls. It should be based on what is right for America. And whether it is a Democrat President or a Republican President, the President is the Commander in Chief. The United States Senate approved General Petraeus by a unanimous vote. To send him over there and then to undercut him, to cut off his legs when he is trying to carry out a policy which is showing signs of work. I am not a general. I am not the commander, but if you look at what is happening in Anbar province, what is happening in Ramadi, what is happening in parts of Baghdad, give General Petraeus the opportunity. Give our troops the opportunity. Don't be grandstanding. Don't be playing to the crowd. Don't be caving into your left wing base which is right now driving you. You have gotten yourselves into a hole, and you cannot get out of it. Our troops should be above that. Have concerns for our troops, but most importantly, respect the Constitution. Allow the President and his commanders to prosecute the war. He was elected; General Petraeus was confirmed by the Senate. Everyone knew that he had to plan for a surge. To undercut him now is wrong. It is morally wrong. It is politically wrong, and it is going to bring shame on the House of Representatives.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I recognize myself for as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I want to commend the gentleman from Michigan for this amendment and for bringing his law enforcement expertise to the Congress in so many ways for so many years. I urge adoption of the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition, although I will not oppose the amendment.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, regrettably, not being told in advance, I would have to object to the unanimous consent request.

Mr. KING of New York. I will yield, yes.