Gregory Meeks

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me just say, this debate is long overdue. We happen to be talking about the AUMF. I would hope that we end up having more debates on this floor talking about the continent of Africa, who has long been left off the debate in the United States Congress, which is a continent that we have got to focus on. I look forward to working with Mr. James as the chair of that subcommittee. We need to focus on the stability of Africa, the stability of its governments and its institutions, because if we don't, it is at our own danger. We should be doing it because it is the right thing. We should be listening to those allies that we have on the continent and to those Presidents, because they are the ones who are at threat and in danger of being destroyed by terrorist groups who have now moved over the continent. We have got to have this debate more and more and make sure that Africa is on our front burner, not our back burner. Because if Africa continues to be on our back burner, we will see Russia and China, as Mr. James has indicated, and others jumping in. We will see Wagner coming in to secure these countries. Let's have this debate. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Omar), who came to the United States from the continent of Africa.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild), the author of this bill.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act, and I thank Representative Susan Wild for her strong leadership on this very important piece of legislation. Telecommunications security is a pillar of our national security. If an adversary can partially or fully shut down your mobile network, then they have tremendous leverage over your diplomatic, economic, and security matters. If an adversary can tap into your networks through back doors built into network equipment, then phone calls on national security matters can and will be surveilled. Given these dangerous vulnerabilities, it is crucial that Congress and the executive branch fully understand the risks. The Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act will require additional reporting and analysis on the safety of our communications in embassies around the globe where, by necessity, communications will often need to be routed through equipment produced by PRC companies like Huawei and ZTE. The legislation also calls for reporting on the use of unsafe telecommunication equipment by countries with whom we have mutual security pacts. We need to be able to communicate securely with our allies and partners around the world. Crucially, the legislation also authorizes the State Department to engage in telecommunications security activities. Notably, one section of the bill, unfortunately, was removed from the version of this legislation that passed the House overwhelmingly last Congress and that passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee earlier this year. That section would require publicly traded telecommunications operators to disclose their use of unsafe PRC telecommunications equipment. I know, and I believe, that this is important information for investors to know, given the sanctions and export controls currently imposed on these vendors. It is also crucial national security information. Unfortunately, the Financial Services majority asked us to remove this section due to their disposition against explicit additional securities disclosure requirements. While I accept their jurisdictional claim, the disclosure requirements in this legislation were modeled after a Republican bill on Iran, and I believe they would provide important information for investors and bolster national security. Representative Wild is not pushing immediate, aggressive sanctions. The removed section represented a sensible, middle-ground approach. Given the widespread bipartisan agreement on many issues pertaining to China, I look forward to working with all of my colleagues across the aisle on both committees to find a mutually agreeable solution to this issue. Even with the financial disclosures removed, though, the Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act is important legislation that will move the ball forward on telecommunication security matters. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Wild's very important legislation, the Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act, will take tangible steps to improve our telecommunications security and, thereby, our national security. I appreciate the bipartisan nature with which we have dealt with this bill in the 117th Congress and now are dealing with it in the 118th Congress, working collectively together for our national security. I believe that this bill should have every Member's support, and I urge them to vote for the Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Putin's Russia has abandoned the international systems that help countries interact and help build good faith and greater security. As someone who believes in the power of diplomacy and dialogue as a path to peace, the state of today's Russia is tragic and testing the international community's resolve, but I am so thankful that President Biden is indeed more responsible than Mr. Putin. It is that kind of responsibility that is truly important and that we make sure that we are utilizing diplomacy along with our allies together, not America alone, not America by itself, but America and its friends. That is restraint. I can recall if you have a red line, it is easy to draw a line, but the person that is most reserved steps back and if someone truly crosses that line, the United States is ready. That Russia ignores the rules and standards is really not new. It is not surprising, but it has become more consequential and detrimental. We have seen Russia's ill-advised and criminal behavior in Ukraine. That is why the United States under President Biden's leadership has created the strong bond with our NATO and European allies and others all across the world. Again, when I think of March 14 and the Russian pilots' decision to release jet fuel upon an American surveillance drone and clip the aircraft, it indeed was a reckless move that caused the drone to crash into the Black Sea. It was an unprofessional and dangerous maneuver, and it marked the first time since the Cold War that Russia has downed a U.S. aircraft. This incident added to the already heightened tensions between the United States and Russia as Vladimir Putin continues his war of aggression in Ukraine. While our pilots and military work carefully to avoid such incidents--again, prudence, responsibility--I don't want to be like Vladimir Putin or the Russians. I don't want to imitate them, but Russia is about to play with fire. Thankfully, we have a professional military that knows the power of restraint. This resolution rightfully condemns the March 14 incident and will let them know that we are watching, and we will not be silent about it, especially here in the United States Congress. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, let me thank Congressman Williams for this resolution, along with Mr. Costa, again working in a strong, bipartisan way. Congressman Williams' resolution appropriately condemns Russia's irresponsible and provocative downing of a U.S. surveillance drone over the Black Sea. It lets Russia and the entire world know that the United States House of Representatives stands strongly together in condemning the actions of the pilot that downed the U.S. surveillance drone. It says unequivocally that the United States of America will stand and stand together and work together with our friends and allies against the provocative and, I believe, criminal actions of Vladimir Putin. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1151, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am the proud sponsor of H.R. 1151, the Upholding Sovereignty of Airspace or the USA Act. First, I thank Chairman Michael McCaul for co-leading this bill and for his partnership on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and presenting a united front on this very important issue. On January 28 of this year, a PRC surveillance balloon intruded our airspace. The balloon then flew across our Nation, trying to gather intelligence from sensitive American military sites. This was an unacceptable violation of U.S. sovereignty. The Biden administration closely monitored and tracked the balloon while it was over U.S. soil and took action to limit the balloon's ability to collect useful information that the PRC could not gather otherwise. On February 4, once it no longer posed a danger to Americans on the ground, the United States military shot down the balloon off the coast of South Carolina. President Biden safely and successfully took down the balloon in a way that allowed us to collect the debris and learn more about the PRC's surveillance program and capabilities. Since that day, the Biden administration has smartly declassified additional information about the PRC's global program and shared it with our allies and partners. We have learned that the United States and Canada aren't alone. PRC surveillance balloons have violated the sovereignty of over 40 nations across 5 continents. This blatant disregard for the airspace and sovereignty of other nations is not only contrary to international rules, it is dangerous and provocative. I have been deeply concerned by Beijing's response. Instead of apologizing, Beijing has resorted to denials and absurd misinformation and propaganda. Instead of making amends, Beijing has exacerbated tensions between our nations. Now, I know that the United States of America will not be brought down by any balloon. We are the greatest and the strongest Nation on this planet. That is why it was important to have this bipartisan legislation. By doing that, the House can clearly declare that such a violation of international law and U.S. sovereignty will not be tolerated and must not happen again. H.R. 1151 calls on the administration to coordinate with our allies and partners and work within international organizations to call Beijing out for its repeated infringement of country sovereignty around the entire planet. It also authorizes the President to hold responsible parties accountable through sanctions and calls for reporting and export controls by the Bureau of Industry and Security to disrupt the PRC's Military-Civil Fusion efforts related to its surveillance balloon program. Mr. Speaker, the PRC must respect global norms and values. When the PRC doesn't, the United States and the international community must stay together to hold Beijing accountable. Mr. Speaker, Russia's invasion of Ukraine made clear that the rules- based global order is under attack. Russia and China are increasingly not just bending the rules, they are breaking them. The PRC's violation of our sovereignty is just one example of this. In the competition with China, we must be vigilant and vocal about upholding our values and upholding international rules. To succeed in this competition, we must be smart, prioritizing the challenges and strategies to address them while working diplomatically alongside our partners and allies and friends. The PRC's global surveillance program was a challenge not only to the United States but to the sovereignty of nations around the world, and it deserves a policy response. That is why this bill is very important. It is also why, again, I thank Chairman McCaul and Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee for working collectively in a bipartisan way. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1151, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 406, the PARTNER with ASEAN Act, introduced by Mr. Castro and Mrs. Kim. Of course, I join with Mrs. Wagner in wishing Mr. Castro a speedy recovery and return to this body very soon. This legislation will solidify this body's strong bipartisan commitment to deepening our longstanding cooperation with Southeast Asia and facilitate stronger people-to-people ties with this vast, diverse region. Southeast Asia is vital to the United States national interests and strategic priorities. The 10 Southeast Asian nations that comprise the important regional body of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, have an outsized role in shaping crucial political, economic, and security developments in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The United States has long recognized ASEAN's central role in promoting peace, security, and stability in the region. This bill would allow us to deepen our collaboration and partnership on shared challenges. H.R. 406 underscores the importance of the United States and ASEAN's partnership by authorizing that ASEAN be designated as an international organization with diplomatic privileges and immunities consistent with the International Organizations Immunities Act. The IOIA, which was enacted in 1945, is how the United States extends the rights and treatment generally accorded to embassies of countries that have diplomatic relations with the United States to international organizations. This is a long-overdue change that our partners in ASEAN and the Biden administration strongly support. With the passage of this legislation, the United States would affirm our longstanding relationship and upgrade our capacity to collaborate with ASEAN. Robust and consistent engagement with Southeast Asia is critical to realizing our Indo-Pacific strategy. This measure ensures that America remains a Pacific power and a critical player in Southeast Asia as we address the challenge of China. We need to work collectively with ASEAN so that we can tackle shared challenges such as economic resiliency, global health, climate change, and attacks against the rules-based international order. Our partnership with ASEAN will be essential in delivering sustainable solutions to our combined 1 billion people. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge all of my colleagues to support this strong, bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 406 is a very important, bipartisan measure that affirms the importance of the United States and ASEAN's partnership by extending privileges and immunities under the International Organizations Immunities Act to ASEAN. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I recall myself going to Cambodia to attend the session with ASEAN where they extended the opportunity for us to be official observers at their annual meetings and conferences. This just emphasizes how the United States has long recognized and-- ASEAN also--appreciates our engagement with this diverse regional body and demonstrated strong support for ASEAN centrality. This measure demonstrates our commitment to this organization and pivotal region. Mr. Speaker, there is no better way to honor over 45 years of the United States-ASEAN's relations and build upon our partnership than passing this important bipartisan legislation so they know that jointly the United States Congress recognizes the significance and importance of our partnership. Again, I thank Mr. Castro--we want him back here soon--and Representative Young Kim for their hard work on this bill to send the appropriate message. I hope that all of my colleagues will join us in support of this very important bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 1159. This legislation introduced by Mrs. Wagner, the vice chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Messrs. Connolly and Lawler, House Foreign Affairs Committee members, showcases this body's steadfast, bipartisan commitment to Taiwan. As a vibrant democracy and reliable partner of the United States of America, Taiwan has long been a force for good in promoting prosperity and development in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Our robust and longstanding friendship is built on our shared values of democracy and good governance, strong people-to-people ties, and ever-expanding commercial and economic engagement. When I visited Taiwan with Speaker Pelosi last year, the reception we received from the people was nothing short of incredible. We were welcomed with open arms. Thousands of people greeted us as the plane landed. More than that viewed us as our trip took its way to Taiwan. Our trip demonstrated that Members of Congress will not be dictated to by Beijing and that we will not sit idly by as Beijing attempts to intimidate and coerce our friend. The people of Taiwan showed us tremendous respect and affection, so much so it was in a way that I believe demonstrates their confidence that the United States Congress will continue to stand up for them. In acknowledgment of our deep and lasting friendship, the Biden administration took concrete steps to encourage greater engagement with Taiwan. In April 2021, the State Department revised its guidelines to liberalize executive branch interactions with Taiwan counterparts in a way that is consistent with our One China policy and honors our longstanding ties to Taiwan as enshrined in the Taiwan Relations Act. This legislation amends the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 to reauthorize regular reporting on the State Department's Taiwan contact guidelines. This bill sends a strong message that Congress stands with our friends in Taiwan, supports greater engagement, and wants to have an active part in strengthening the United States-Taiwan relationship. As the United States and Taiwan look to further enhance our cooperation, facilitating ways to bolster our ongoing people-to-people ties is vital. Not only have our two sides benefited tremendously from our close engagement, but the world stands to benefit, as well. Again, I congratulate Representative Wagner, the vice chair of the committee; Mr. Connolly; and Mr. Lawler for coming up with this bipartisan bill, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), my friend.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1159 is an important bipartisan measure that reauthorizes regular reporting on the State Department's Taiwan contact guidelines to Congress and encourages greater engagement with our friends in Taiwan, consistent with our One China policy. As a vibrant democracy, a force of good will, and a model for the world, Taiwan is, indeed, a key part of the Indo-Pacific region. It is vital that we find concrete ways to expand and deepen interactions at every level and work together to advance our mutual priorities based on our shared values, strong people-to-people ties, and common vision for the region. Again, I thank Vice Chair Wagner, Mr. Connolly, and Mr. Lawler for coming together with this strong bipartisan bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to join us and support this very important bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney), my friend from HASC.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1093 is an important bipartisan measure which requires the State Department to report to Congress on its efforts toward implementation of the advanced capabilities pillar of AUKUS and improvements necessary in partner country regulations to enable secure and successful implementation. As we look to build on and implement our shared security partnerships with Australia and the United Kingdom encapsulated within the AUKUS framework, I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan framework with Chairman McCaul. In this strategic competition, the most important of our era, sharing our defense technologies and capabilities in a safe, secure, and regulated manner will only make us all stronger and more united. Mr. Speaker, I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in support of this very important bipartisan bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and his staff for working collectively on this bipartisan bill at this very important time. Clearly, making sure that we are working collectively together with one voice on this serious issue is of utmost importance to all of us in the United States of America. The Biden administration, in coordination with Australia and the U.K., recently formalized the trilateral security partnership known as AUKUS, which aims to strengthen shared defense priorities in the Indo- Pacific. This new security framework represents an important step forward to the United States and the Indo-Pacific, and for strengthening our shared capabilities in the strategic competition defining our world today and for years to come. Within this broader AUKUS agreement, Pillar 2 advances military capabilities with the intent of developing and enhancing joint capabilities between Australia, the U.K., and the United States to improve security and interoperability in the region. One aspect of this pillar is improving and synchronizing processes related to arms exports and sharing of sensitive defense technologies between participants. This includes encouraging and advising our partners on how to strengthen the regulatory frameworks to enable closer cooperation while maintaining appropriate safeguards. H.R. 1093 requires the State Department to report to Congress on its efforts toward implementation of the advanced capabilities pillar of AUKUS, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations and improvements necessary in partner country regulations to enable secure and successful implementation. As the United States looks to build on this important shared security partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom within the AUKUS framework, I am proud, again, to co-lead this bipartisan initiative with Chairman McCaul to ensure we move forward in a meaningful way. As we engage in strategic competition, sharing our defense technologies and capabilities in a safe, secure, and regulated manner with our partners is absolutely critical. Therefore, I encourage my colleagues, all of my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I am glad to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moulton).

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Con. Res. 21. Mr. Speaker, though I oppose an indefinite U.S. military presence in Syria, this measure forces a premature end to our mission at a critical time for our efforts. Forcing such a premature removal of U.S. forces not only endangers our national security, it threatens that of our allies and partners across the region and beyond and, most of all, the Syrian Kurds. Our very small footprint in northeast Syria, alongside our courageous Syrian Kurdish partners, continues to serve a valuable purpose as we partner with them in ensuring ISIS does not reconstitute and again destabilize the region or use Syria as a base for attacks elsewhere. We have seen how ISIS has wrought its brutality, not only on the populations of Syria and Iraq, especially against ethnic minority groups, but also launched brutal attacks, such as those in Paris, Brussels, Istanbul, and beyond. Our military and intelligence leaders continue to warn publicly about the potential for ISIS to resurge if they are given the opportunity, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, who, just last week, made a public visit to northeast Syria. He highlighted the importance of finishing the job against ISIS and emphasized, if we ignore and turn our back, then we are setting the conditions for a resurgence. Our presence also serves a critical advisory and assist role as the SDF continues to administer ISIS detainee facilities, including those holding experienced, highly trained ISIS fighters, as the United States, along with our coalition partners, works to safely and humanely repatriate them to their countries of origin. Pulling the plug now on this important mission jeopardizes the important work and support role that we play. Finally, while I share the passion of the cosponsor of this legislation for Congress reclaiming its war powers, I do not think this concurrent resolution is the proper vehicle for doing so. Last Congress, under my leadership, the House Foreign Affairs Committee marked up repeals of three of the four existing AUMFs that are on the books. The full House passed each of these measures as well but, unfortunately, they languished on the other side of the Capitol. We need to continue this work, and I look forward to working with Chairman McCaul and the gentleman from Florida on these efforts. Congress must repeal outdated war authorizations once and for all, and I applaud the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for their bipartisan vote to repeal the 2002 and the 1991 AUMFs earlier today. So we have important work to do. We should define hostilities in statute, not because it is an easy fix, but because it is a hard question that underpins key national security issues around the globe. Toughest of all, we must repeal the 2001 AUMF and replace it with a narrow force authorization that grants the President authority to combat select terrorists enumerated in countries where the United States' national security is at stake. I intend to introduce such an AUMF later this year. I believe that the importance of combating ISIS in Syria should be on such an authorization, and this is part of why I oppose H. Con. Res. 21. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to oppose this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Spanberger).

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crow).

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).