Gregory Meeks

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 130) condemning the continued violation of rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong by the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Hong Kong special administrative region.

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. Res. 130.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 130, Condemning Continued Violation of Rights and Freedoms of the People of Hong Kong by People's Republic of China and Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. I have introduced this resolution to demonstrate this body's already strong, bipartisan support for the people of Hong Kong. The situation in Hong Kong has been alarming for several years now. We have witnessed the degradation of civil liberties and human rights as the PRC continues to disregard its international legal obligations under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. For months, in 2019, the people of Hong Kong peacefully took to the streets in historic numbers to preserve their democracy and demand their rights and freedoms. Unfortunately, these peaceful protesters were met with excessive force by the police and the further imposition of restrictions on expression and assembly. Thousands have been beaten, injured, and illegally detained in violation of due process. Rather than listen to the demands of the majority of Hong Kongers, the Chinese Government blatantly bypassed Hong Kong's local government and imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong and its people with very little accountability or transparency. The vague, overly broad measures this security law put in place are little more than a thinly veiled attempt to erode Hong Kong's autonomy and restrict the space for peaceful expression. It steals from the people of Hong Kong the ability to exercise the freedoms of speech and association and creates an environment of fear around the expression of any political sentiment. It is no surprise that since the passage of this law, political censorship has spiked significantly and Hong Kong officials have become increasingly brazen in undermining democratic norms, such as disqualifying pro-democracy candidates from participating in the legislative council elections and removing democratically elected lawmakers from office. Hong Kong authorities have also used the national security law to target and silence pro-democracy activists at home and abroad. They have even issued arrest warrants for activists living overseas, including a U.S. citizen, for alleged violations of national security law. Hundreds of pro-democracy figures and activists have been arrested or sentenced to prison, including Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, Ivan Lam, the ``Hong Kong 12,'' and Jimmy Lai Chee-Ying, while others await a further crackdown. But the resolve of the people of Hong Kong has not wavered, and neither will the resolve of the people of the United States, our allies, and this body. Mr. Speaker, see, democracy is the cornerstone of the work we do in the people's House. We must support the people of Hong Kong as they fight for the rights and freedoms promised to them under the Basic Law. With the passage of this resolution, the House reaffirms its continued support for the people of Hong Kong. We stand by activists who continue to come forward in their cause for democracy and human rights at great risk to themselves, their families, and their future. But by passing this resolution, the House sends a strong, bipartisan message demanding that the Chinese and Hong Kong Governments respect the will of the people of Hong Kong. We will continue to push for democracy and respect for human rights in Hong Kong. We will continue to demonstrate that we stand in solidarity with the pro-democracy figures and activists who have made tremendous sacrifices for their city and for their core human rights. This is an important resolution, and I support it and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the very distinguished Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers if the gentleman from Texas is ready to close.

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank the ranking member for making sure we make a unified, strong, bipartisan statement, and all of my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee on both sides of the aisle because H. Res. 130 sends a strong and unequivocal message: The United States stands firmly in support of the people of Hong Kong and the rights, freedoms, and autonomy they are promised in the joint declaration and basic law. This resolution signals that the House's support of the people of Hong Kong and their struggle for democracy shall not waiver and shall remain firm and resolute. Mr. Speaker, I hope that all of my colleagues will join Ranking Member McCaul and myself in supporting this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1251) to support United States international cyber diplomacy, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on H.R. 1251, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1251, the Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2021, as amended, by my good friend and the Foreign Affairs Committee's ranking member, Mr. McCaul. I thank him for his work on this important bill. This Congress, the House Foreign Affairs Committee aims to prioritize efforts to reassert American leadership on a variety of issues. I can't think of any issue that is more timely than ensuring American leadership is prepared to confront the growing national security challenge in cyberspace. The U.S. is increasingly under attack online by foreign actors, whether it is the recent SolarWinds hack or other attempted cyber intrusions on critical American infrastructure. Now more than ever, we need a senior cyber diplomat who can support American efforts to keep the internet open, interoperable, reliable, and secure. To demonstrate how seriously the United States takes these issues, it is vital that we strengthen the State Department's tools to address the challenges in cyberspace to American foreign policy. The State Department needs a bureau capable and focused on tackling the growing global challenges of cybersecurity, the digital economy, and internet freedom in order to be better prepared to advance America's international interests on cyber policy. Madam Speaker, that is exactly what this Cyber Diplomacy Act will do. Our allies and adversaries are prioritizing international engagement to set the standards and rules that govern how the internet is structured and used. The United States has always been a leader in this space, and now is the time to redouble our efforts to ensure we remain an influential voice in establishing the rules of the road. It is critical that the United States prioritize our diplomatic efforts in this area and work with our partners and allies to establish agreed-upon norms. To keep the internet open and accessible, we must push back against countries that will exploit the internet to pilfer our intellectual property and hack into our country's most sensitive information, and which seek to derail international norms. This bill is critical to supporting these key priorities. It authorizes the Bureau of International Cyberspace Policy to lead the State Department's cyber diplomatic efforts, including on issues relating to international cybersecurity, internet access and freedom, and international cyber threats, including countering terrorists' use of cyberspace. This bill also directs the President to devise a strategy related to U.S. engagement with foreign governments on international norms with respect to responsible state behavior in cyberspace. I am also pleased that in authorizing this office, we make clear bipartisan congressional intent that the Bureau of International Cyberspace Policy is comprised of a diverse workforce. Like the rest of our national security policy establishments, we know that ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce improves the effectiveness of national security activities, and this bill makes that intent very clear. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support this critical and, again, bipartisan measure that will reassert American leadership on this important issue, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1251, the Cyber Diplomacy Act, introduced by my friend and the ranking member, Mr. McCaul, is bipartisan legislation that is essential to America's national security and positioning our country to meet the current and future threats in cyberspace head-on. This bill will give the State Department the tools it needs to further secure peace, stability, and economic prosperity for the United States in the cyber realm now and in the future. Again, I hope all of my colleagues join both Mr. McCaul and myself in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating), the distinguished chair of the Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber; an esteemed member of the Foreign Affairs Committee; and the author of this important bill.

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

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

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I join with Ranking Member McCaul that this resolution makes it clear that the United States will not be silent on human rights violations as perpetrated by the illegitimate Lukashenko regime and we stand with the Belarusian people in their peaceful fight for democracy. I hope all join in supporting this resolution. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 965) to establish a comprehensive United States Government initiative to build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS. Madam 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. 965.

Mr. MEEKS. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 965, the YALI Act of 2021, introduced by Representatives Karen Bass and Chris Smith. Since 2010 the Young African Leaders Initiative has been building the next generation of Africa's youth to lead the way in civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and business development. We must remember that by 2050, almost one-third of the world's population will be in Africa, and the United States must continue to forge strong ties with our African partners and cultivate its youth for a future of principled leadership. By helping Africa's young leaders, YALI remains an important avenue for promoting U.S. foreign policy goals in Africa. It will be key in strengthening our partnerships with African countries that are working to create the pathway for Africa's youth to make positive and enduring impacts on their communities. If passed, H.R. 965 will provide a strong mandate for the implementation and congressional oversight of YALI and its key initiatives, including the U.S.-based Mandela Washington Fellowship and the Regional Leadership Centers established throughout sub-Saharan Africa. This, too, is a very important bill. I support it and urge my colleagues to do the same. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I will just say quickly thanks to Representatives Bass and Chris Smith. This will help build the next generation of Africa's youth. I hope all my colleagues will join me in voting for this very important bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), the distinguished president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and esteemed member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1392) to protect Saudi dissidents in the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), distinguished president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, esteemed member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and author of this important bill.

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, let me just thank again Representative Gerry Connolly for this critical bill holding Saudi Arabia accountable for its brutal suppression of dissidents. Let me also say this helps ensure that the Saudi diplomatic facilities are not used as a staging ground for their efforts to suppress dissidents. It is crucial that the United States stand strongly in defense of basic rights and freedom of expression and not allow U.S. weapons or support to be used by Saudi Arabia for the purposes of intimidating, abusing, or even killing peaceful Saudi dissidents. I hope my colleagues will join me. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1112, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Madam Speaker, again, I want to thank Mr. Connolly for introducing this legislation, and I want to thank Ranking Member McCaul and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for making sure that we have a singular voice going forward. The world cannot turn a blind eye to the violence perpetrated by the Burmese military. With this important measure, the United States sends a clear signal that we stand with the people of Burma in their longstanding pursuit for democracy, and a strong message to the Burmese military, or to anyone, for that matter, who fail to uphold the will of the people. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.