Gregory Meeks

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3261.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3261, to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution, authored by Representative Spanberger. Less than two weeks ago, this body voted for a bill to repeal the 2002 AUMF, nearly two decades after it was originally passed. By not repealing an AUMF and allowing it to remain long after it has served its purpose, we open the door for future administrations of either party to abuse that authority and stretch the authorization far beyond its original purpose. By failing to remove outdated authorities, Congress cedes its Article I authority to the executive branch. This is contrary to the design of our Constitution, Mr. Speaker, which gives Congress the power to make decisions on matters of war and peace. Today, we debate a bill that would repeal an Authorization for Use of Military Force older than the 2002 AUMF. H.R. 3261 repeals the 1991 AUMF that authorized the use of the United States Armed Forces pursuant to the United Nations Security Council resolution, which was issued in the wake of Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. Yet, the 1991 AUMF remains in statute, in the United States Code, even though our military liberated Kuwait and completed its limited mission there three decades ago. By voting this legislation out of the House, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to reclaiming our authority over war powers. One of the hardest decisions any of us can make as Members of Congress is whether to send the brave men and women of our armed services into conflict. While it is a difficult decision, it does not relinquish us of that responsibility. I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Spanberger) for authoring this important legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Spanberger), a valued member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3261) to repeal the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. McCaul for working together in regard to this 1991 AUMF reform that was put forth by Ms. Spanberger. I want to tell the gentleman that, of course, we will work together, as I indicated at the last debate that we had on the floor to repeal and replace the 2001 AUMF so that we can deal with those items that make sure that we are secure and are modernizing and updating what we need to do to make sure that we are updated and strong moving forward, utilizing what the Constitution has given us, the Article I authority in war powers. I think that is absolutely key and essential. It is difficult for all of us who sit here as Members of Congress, but it is our duty and our responsibility that we can't dodge. I think we understand that in a bipartisan way, that we are going to take up the responsibilities that we have. Passing the repeal of the 2002 AUMF was the beginning of our work of reclaiming our authority over matters of war and peace, and today's repeal of the 1991 AUMF continues that effort. Again, Representative Spanberger's bill before this Chamber today will remove an outdated AUMF and lessen the risk that the executive can circumvent Congress in utilizing military force. I thank Representative Spanberger for authoring this bill, as well as the support of so many here in Congress on both sides of the aisle for defending Congress' Article I authority. We are doing this collectively, our responsibility that we are not dodging and not giving to the executive branch. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1500) to direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to submit to Congress a report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global basic education programs, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Education is recognized as the surest path to economic mobility. However, over the past year and a half, the COVID-19 pandemic has rattled educational systems across the world, presented challenges unlike anything we have seen in the last 100 years since we had the last global pandemic, and it jeopardizes access to education for students around the world. While some students and educators quickly adapted and overcame these challenges, the widespread disruptions caused by the pandemic will invariably have lasting impacts on communities at home and abroad. The Global Learning Loss Assessment Act of 2021 will allow us to better understand the effect the pandemic has had on global learning, and also find ways to help get students back on the path to continued learning and future success. I know from my home city that the lack of availability of educational school buildings and lack of dialogue and conversations with other students in the classroom has hurt them. We need to evaluate and make sure what needs to be done so they can make up that time and continue the path to success because our Nation here in the United States and in the countries around the world are dependent upon it so that we can have a better tomorrow. That is why I thank Ms. Houlahan for her bill, along with Mr. Fitzpatrick, working with the minority, Ranking Member McCaul, coming together because we understand the significance and importance of education. I hope all of my colleagues will join in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Spanberger), a very valued member of our committee on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3283 to repeal the joint resolution entitled ``A joint resolution to promote peace and stability in the Middle East,'' offered by Representative Meijer. Earlier, I made the case for continuing this Chamber's hard work of reclaiming congressional war powers, started less than 2 weeks ago by our vote to repeal the 2002 AUMF and continued by our debate today to repeal the 1991 AUMF and the 1957 AUMF. I will keep my remarks short so as not to belabor the points I made earlier, as the case for repealing the 1941 AUMF similarly applies to the 1957 AUMF, if not more so. Going way back, I was barely a toddler when this authorization was passed, and I have been here for a while. The fact that this authorization still exists as good law today indicates the vital need for Congress to take seriously its responsibility over war and peace and repeal AUMFs once their purpose has been served or expired. Good legislative housekeeping requires us not to just authorize force when needed to protect and defend this Nation, but to recall and repeal authorities when their usefulness has passed. The Soviet Union this authorization was meant to counter no longer exists. There is no Soviet Union now. The 1957 AUMF is a relic of the Cold War. It is outdated and obsolete. We, as Members of Congress, have been granted the responsibility to make decisions on matters of war and peace by the Constitution, a responsibility none of us takes lightly. However, for far too long we have failed to make those decisions at all. Instead, we have ceded our Article I authority to administrations that have reinterpreted old AUMFs. The threat of that abuse continues so long as we allow these authorizations to remain in the U.S. Code. I thank again the ranking member for working with us to bring this bill forward. I thank Representative Meijer for authoring this legislation. And I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3283) to repeal the joint resolution entitled, ``A joint resolution to promote peace and stability in the Middle East'', as amended.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is true that Haiti continues to face significant challenges. Yet, I remain optimistic that we can partner with the Haitian people and play a constructive role in the coming critical years of Haiti's recovery. And while we must continue our unwavering support for Haiti, we also must be open to making adjustments moving forward. By increasing cooperation and being open to new ideas, I am confident that we can support the Haitian people as they seek peace, stability, an end to poverty, and a fully functioning democracy. We know this is not going to be easy, but we have to stand by the Haitian people and make sure that they have an opportunity to have a better tomorrow, for surely, they deserve it. Mr. Speaker, let me finally thank, again, Representative Jeffries for authoring this piece of legislation. It is very important, and I know that he has a large portion of the Haitian diaspora in his district, as it is in New York in mine and Representative Clarke's and, of course, in Florida. We will stand by the Haitian people, not giving up hope, not giving up trust, imploring the Government of Haiti to do the right thing for the people of Haiti by having elections that are free and fair. 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. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 567, the Trans- Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021, from my good friend and colleague, the ranking member, Mr. McCaul. I thank Mr. McCaul for working in the spirit of bipartisanship and making sure that we get this bill to the floor. This bill authorizes and supports the continuation of a viable counterterrorism program with our allies and partners. First launched in 2005, the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program is a valuable initiative through which the State Department works with partner countries in North Africa and the Sahel to build more responsive and resilient counterterrorism strategies to better counter threats facing the region and our allies. Those nations include Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia. As the nature of the terrorist threat in North Africa evolves and permeates across borders in remote geographies, close coordination and a regional approach is critical. One of the United States' strongest tools in its arsenal is its ability to galvanize collective action, employing U.S.-led multilateral initiatives for counterterrorism purposes. The Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program is a strong example of that multilateral capacity. We cannot prevent or respond to terrorism by being American alone or America only. It must be America forward, leading partners to action that safeguards our security interests. This bill authorizes the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program and supports its continuation while requiring a clear, multiyear strategy. It also requires a plan for the thorough monitoring and evaluation of programming to ensure funds are spent wisely, progress is assessed, and programmatic actions are results-oriented. By doing so, we can ensure an effective, regional approach to counterterrorism in North Africa and the Sahel. Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my friend and colleague, Ranking Member McCaul, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, effective counterterrorism strategies across North Africa and the Sahel are critical to U.S. security. Terrorist attacks orchestrated by ISIS- and al-Qaida-affiliated groups require a coordinated multilateral response, led by the United States in close partnership with nations in the region. A more responsive and resilient counterterrorism strategy in North Africa and the Sahel is critical and crucial to addressing the threats that we face today, and this bill ensures that this program is the most effective it can be in addressing such threats. I thank Representative McCaul and Representative Keating for bringing this bill forward, I urge the Senate to get it done also, and I urge all of my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 567, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the resolution (H. Res. 402) urging the Administration to facilitate assistance in response to the devastating impact of COVID-19 in India, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 391, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 391) to authorize a comprehensive, strategic approach for United States foreign assistance to developing countries to strengthen global health security, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 391, the Global Health Security Act of 2021. As the saying goes: ``An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,'' and that is undoubtedly true in global health. Pandemics don't respect borders and they don't care about nationalities, and we are seeing that play out on the front pages of the news these days as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cause severe disruptions around the world. Over the past few years, global health security has become increasingly tied to U.S. national security, as evidenced by not only our experience with COVID-19, but also previous pandemics, such as Ebola and Zika, both overseas and at home. Having a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to prepare for and respond to these threats is critical. We must build on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Global Health Security Agenda, which the United States has committed to, helps countries invest in preparedness and strengthens systems that prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks. H.R. 391, a bipartisan bill by Representative Connolly and Representative Chabot, would institutionalize the best practices the United States has learned in global health security. This bill establishes an interagency review council to not only advance global health security, but also mandates a U.S. Global Health Security Coordinator to manage the U.S. response in these emergencies and allow the interagency review council to speak with one voice. I believe this person should be at the National Security Council as the natural nexus between diplomacy, development, and defense. This person would help build capacity, apply lessons learned, and prepare for the future. While I am heartened to see that the Biden administration has recently appointed such a person to tackle the pandemic that we are facing, this legislation would create a permanent position focused on U.S. global health security. Furthermore, this bill would require the U.S. Global Health Security Coordinator to develop a strategy and regularly report to Congress on the progress the United States is making toward making global health security a core national security interest. Finally, this bill outlines a framework to leverage assistance to increase contributions from other donors, along the lines of the Global Fund, to support global health security activities around the world. This bill passed the House multiple times in the past, and is more timely than ever as we continue to address COVID-19 and seek to prepare ourselves for the next outbreak. So I would like to thank Representative Connolly and Representative Chabot for their work on this legislation over the past several years and for recognizing the vital importance of global health security as part of America's national security. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), the president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and a valued member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member for his partnership in working together to bring this bipartisan legislation to the floor, because as we all have found, COVID-19, which has caused global disruption unlike any other in recent memory, is not a Democratic issue; it is not a Republican issue; it is all of our issue. It is an issue for all of us, not just here in the United States, but around the world. Coming together on the committee, as we generally do, is extremely important, working together to get this done. As we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel of this pandemic, the United States must seize the opportunity and learn the lessons and best practices from the crisis so that we can be better prepared to respond to any future and similar threats to the U.S. national and global security. COVID-19 caught America off guard, but the Global Health and Security Act will ensure that this never happens again. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Connolly and Mr. Chabot for their work on this legislation and for recognizing the vital importance of global health security as part of America's national security. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to the honorable life of Archie Spigner, whom I will remember as a distinguished constituent, friend, and mentor. Archie was and will always be my Jackie Robinson. The road for Black political leaders in my district, in Queens and in New York City is a much smoother one today because Archie paved that road for us. However, metaphorical roads were not the only ones he dedicated his life to. Archie knew the streets of Southeast Queens better than anyone I've ever met. As a public servant for over 20 years, Archie spent his career building better roads, as well as better schools, train lines, senior programs, housing programs, and sewers. It was often said that the roads to public office in our neighborhoods ran through Archie. His life was truly dedicated to our community, and his accomplishments are evidence. Born in South Carolina during the height of Jim Crow and segregation, Archie leaves this Earth as the godfather of politics in Queens and boasts several Black elected officials including myself that called him ``mentor''. While studying parliamentary procedure he became a steward at a shoe factory which led to his career advocating for the common worker. As a labor organizer, he met A. Philip Randolph, one of the principal architects of the March on Washington. He founded the Queens Branch of the Negro American Labor Council right out of his living room. His work as an organizer put him in close contact with his political mentors including Assembly Member Guy R. Brewer and State Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Browne. While attending Queens College of the City of University of New York where he would earn his bachelor's degree, he worked as the liaison to the African American community for Queens Borough President Sidney Leviss. Soon after the New York City Council was expanded, Archie was elected to represent the 27th District, where he would go on to serve for 27 years. During his tenure, he chaired three committees: The Legislative Office of Budget Review, Economic Development, and Housing and Buildings. His work with the budget review office led to the creation of the ever-important independent budget office. He also championed some of the borough's first Business Improvement Districts and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Programs while on the Economic Development Committee. Somehow he managed to have ``free'' time and spent it serving as Deputy Majority Leader and Co-Chair of the Queens Delegation. Archie spent every moment he could helping his community and his accomplishments are all over Queens. He established mandatory sensitivity trainings for every police precinct in the city. He helped create York College, along with many new middle and high schools. He codified protections against red lining and worked on a number of infrastructure projects, including the incorporation of the E train extension, new sewers, street rehabilitation, and the New Social Security building. The systemic problems being grappled by this House today were no strangers to Archie, and he dedicated a career in public office to alleviating those burdens that continuously plague underserved communities. Mostly, however, Archie just wanted to help his neighbors. Before I first ran for Congress, Archie told me, ``make sure you always help people, be honest with people, and stay on the ground.'' After his tenure as a City Council Member, Archie went back to his neighborhood and became a district leader in the Queens County Democratic Party and was head of the Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club, named after his old mentor. Cementing his mark on the community, I introduced a bill in 2004 to rename a St. Albans post office after him, which at the time, was the only commemoration of its kind to be ever given to a living person. At the commemorating ceremony, schoolchildren sang, ``if Archie Spigner works for you, clap your hands,'' which was a line greeted with roaring applause. The Book of Matthew tells us that ``when the Son of Man comes in his glory,'' he will sit on his throne and judge both the living and the dead, saying the following to those who are to be saved: ``Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'' I do not find it difficult to imagine what kind of person from our time will be destined to join in God's glory. I have had the pleasure of knowing someone so vehemently dedicated to improving the lives of their fellow man. That person was Archie Spigner. He pursued criminal justice and equities in economic and housing opportunities that demonstrated a passion for loving his neighbor as he would himself. He worked for reform in his community so that more could prosper and share in the promise of this country. He was both an idol American and Christian, and it is an honor to have known him.