Michael McCaul

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following exchange of letters between the Committee on Homeland Security and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee regarding H.R. 3572. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC, October 22, 2015. Hon. Bill Shuster, Chairman, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Shuster: Thank you for your interest in H.R. 3572, the ``DHS Headquarters Reform and Improvement Act of 2015.'' I appreciate your cooperation in refraining from requesting a sequential referral on this bill in the interest of allowing it to move expeditiously under suspension of the House Rules on October 20, 2015. Because H.R. 3572 has now passed the House, the Parliamentarians can no longer render an official decision as to any jurisdictional claim the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee may have had. I therefore acknowledge that the question of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's jurisdictional interest in a certain provision of H.R. 3572 has not been fully adjudicated and that no final decision as to that point was made. I further agree that the absence of a final decision will not prejudice any claim the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee may have with respect to this legislation in the future. A copy of this letter will be entered into the Congressional Record. Sincerely, Michael T. McCaul, Chairman.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3572, the Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Reform and Improvement Act of 2015, which I introduced with my colleague from Mississippi, Ranking Member Bennie Thompson. This important, bipartisan legislation reforms and streamlines DHS headquarters so it can more effectively focus on its core mission of better protecting national security. At the same time, this bill saves millions in taxpayer dollars and reins in unnecessary bureaucracy. DHS headquarters plays an important role in providing direction and oversight to the Department's 22 components; yet, over the years, Department management has become bloated and unwieldy. DHS has established, reorganized, and expanded offices and programs without the approval of Congress, created new assistant secretary positions, and spent billions of dollars on acquisitions that don't meet the needs of our men and women on the frontlines securing the homeland. This bill helps to get DHS management on track by mandating multiple efficiency reviews to ensure taxpayer dollars are not wasted but, instead, directly linked to protecting the homeland. It also requires DHS to increase transparency with Congress, to hold acquisition programs accountable, and to better communicate with industry when making major acquisition decisions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Oversight and Management Efficiency Subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry and Ranking Member Bonnie Watson Coleman for their leadership in conducting much of the oversight and research that informed the bill, especially their work to reform DHS' troubled acquisitions process. I am grateful for their tremendous efforts. In addition, this bill eliminates unnecessary assistant secretary and director positions, abolishes unproductive, idle offices, consolidates offices to streamline functionality, and prohibits the Department of Homeland Security Secretary from creating any new assistant secretary positions without prior congressional approval. In short, Mr. Speaker, this bill ensures that the Department of Homeland Security is a leaner, less bureaucratic, and more efficient organization focused on the mission and getting the job done. While H.R. 3572 addresses waste, fraud, abuse, and a lack of transparency at DHS headquarters, it is just one part of a larger suite of legislation that this committee has passed this year dedicated to reforming and improving the Department overall. To date, we have passed by voice vote more than 40 bills addressing similar shortcomings at CBP, TSA, FEMA, Secret Service, NPPD, and S&T, just to name a few. I am very proud of our success in passing specific targeted bills dedicated to reining in bureaucracy, saving taxpayer dollars, providing much-needed congressional guidance, and protecting national security. I am grateful to all the members of this committee and to the staff on both sides of the aisle whose hard work and bipartisan commitment to the priority of keeping America safe helped to make all of this legislation possible. My committee approved this bill unanimously last month, something you don't hear of every day in this Congress. In conclusion, I urge all Members of the House to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill that will help DHS to operate more efficiently and effectively in protecting the American people. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will be brief. I think it is an excellent bipartisan bill. I want to thank Mr. Higgins from New York for his presentation here today and support, and I want to thank the other side of the aisle for working with me and continuing to work with me in a bipartisan way to get things done for the country. I think that is how most committees should work; and certainly for one that involves protecting the American people, I think it is paramount that we work together, both Republicans and Democrats. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3572. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3572) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reform, streamline, and make improvements to the Department of Homeland Security and support the Department's efforts to implement better policy, planning, management, and performance, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 20th as National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day. Neuroblastoma is a deadly pediatric cancer that primarily strikes infants and young children. Of the 15,780 new cases of pediatric cancer in the U.S. each year, approximately 700 are neuroblastoma diagnoses. About half of these children will have an advanced-stage, high-risk form of disease. Even with aggressive treatment, only 40 to 50 percent of high-risk patients will survive. Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor among children and the most common cancer in infancy. The cause of the disease is unknown but leads to abnormal cell growth during the development of the sympathetic nervous system. I am pleased to inform my colleagues that we have seen significant progress this year in the fight against this devastating disease. In March, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first drug ever to treat children with high-risk neuroblastoma. In August, the same product received regulatory approval in the European Union. The drug, Unituxin (dinutuximab), is marketed by United Therapeutics Corporation. United Therapeutics was also granted a Pediatric Rare Disease Priority Review Voucher by the FDA. This innovative voucher program was established by the Creating Hope Act--legislation that I sponsored with my colleagues Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC). Enacted into law in 2012, the Creating Hope Act is designed to incentivize the pharmaceutical industry to invest in new therapies for rare childhood diseases. Approval of this groundbreaking therapy is the result of a unique public-private partnership over many years. Originally developed by Dr. Alice Yu, University of California San Diego, the drug was tested in high-risk neuroblastoma patients in clinical studies conducted by the Children's Oncology Group through support from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Manufacturing of the complex chimeric antibody was conducted by the NCI at its biopharmaceutical laboratory in Frederick, Maryland. In 2010, United Therapeutics entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the NCI where the company assumed responsibility for manufacturing the drug and moving it through the regulatory approval process. According to Dr. Malcolm Smith, Associate Branch Chief, Pediatrics in the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program at NCI, ``The FDA approval of dinutuximab represents the culmination of a remarkably productive collaboration between researchers of the NCI-supported Children's Oncology Group, the manufacturing and clinical research groups of NCI, and the oncology team at United Therapeutics. Children with neuroblastoma will benefit from this collaboration, and the drug development pathway blazed by dinutuximab will likely be followed in the future to develop other novel agents directed against pediatric cancer therapeutic targets.'' Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of co-chairing the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus with Congressman Van Hollen. Each September, the Caucus commemorates National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by hosting a Childhood Cancer Summit on Capitol Hill. This event features pediatric cancer patients, advocates, physicians, industry partners and other key stakeholders. As part of this year's Summit on September 18th, we will hear from Casey and Lesley Ryan, the parents of Rex Ryan, a young neuroblastoma patient from my home state of Texas. We will also hear from Roger Jeffs, PhD, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of United Therapeutics, Dr. Lee Helman from the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Michael Link of the Stanford School of Medicine, Dr. Amy Fowler of the Dell Children's Medical Center, and Danielle Leach of the St. Baldrick's Foundation. As we recognize the progress that has been made in neuroblastoma treatment, we remain focused on the many challenges that remain and the toll this disease has taken on so many families. One such family is the Lindbergs from Germantown, Maryland. Wendy and Gavin Lindberg lost their 7 year-old son Evan to neuroblastoma in 2010. He was their only child. Diagnosed at the age of 3, Evan waged a four-year battle against Stage IV neuroblastoma that defined courage. Evan was a remarkable little boy who inspired everyone he met with his bravery, compassion and joyful approach to life. In his memory, Wendy and Gavin established The Evan's Victory Against Neuroblastoma Foundation to promote awareness of the disease, fund much-needed research, and support patient wellness programs for children in treatment. Since Evan's passing, the Foundation bearing his name has made and continues to make a real difference in the lives of children and families suffering from neuroblastoma. There are many other organizations doing wonderful philanthropic work in memory of children lost far too young to this terrible disease. Their strength in the face of adversity compels us to do all we can to help families facing the unthinkable. So Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in recognition of September 20th as National Neuroblastoma Awareness Day and encourage my colleagues to join in the fight against all pediatric cancers. Our children's future depends on it.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, it is with great pride that I rise in support of H.R. 720, the Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2015. The passage of this bipartisan legislation demonstrates the importance with which the Committee on Homeland Security considers the security of our nation's airports and transit hubs. Moreover, this legislation shows Congress' dedication to the men and women of the TSA, who work diligently each day to keep the American people safe. In order to mitigate threats from those with malicious intent seeking to wreak havoc on our critical transportation systems, we must stand together. Our law enforcement and first responder community must communicate, collaborate and coordinate, so they are better prepared to execute emergency plans in response to all types of security incidents. I believe the passage of this bill creates a roadmap that will provide our first responders and TSA with the proper level of coordination to respond to incidents like the senseless shooting that took place at Los Angeles International Airport on November 1, 2013. After the shooting, I travelled with other Members of the Committee, including Ranking Member Thompson, to Los Angeles to meet with first responders, TSA officials, airport personnel, as well as the injured Transportation Security Officers who bravely put themselves in harm's way to help an elderly passenger. I also had the somber opportunity to meet with the widow of Officer Hernandez, before holding a field hearing to examine what could be done to mitigate such tragedies in the future. Today, I am proud to see this Committee's efforts set to cross the finish line, and I hope that the wife of Officer Hernandez can find some solace in the passage of this legislation, which bears her husband's name. The legislation will direct TSA to conduct necessary outreach to airports and transit hubs across the United States to ensure that there are adequate security incident response and communications plans in place. Moreover, H.R. 720 establishes TSA as a clearinghouse of best- practices for transportation sector preparedness and incident response, which will streamline the proliferation of information and communication across transportation systems in the United States. This bill also looks for ways to overcome interoperable communications challenges and increase funding for airport law enforcement, while also ensuring that airport personnel are equipped with training on how to response to active shooters and other security incidents, such as terrorism. It is my pleasure to commend the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, Mr. Katko and former Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr. Hudson, for their efforts in addressing this issue, as well as, working to foster bipartisan cooperation. I also wish to commend the bipartisan efforts of both the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, Mr. Thompson, and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Ms. Rice, whose support of this legislation is greatly appreciated. Additionally, I would like to thank the other bipartisan cosponsors of this legislation, as well as Chairman Thune and our Senate colleagues for moving this important bill through the Senate. I urge my colleagues to support the final passage of H.R. 720 and strengthen the security of U.S. transportation.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, for the last decade, Congress has passed bipartisan sanctions to get to the point where we are today, and the purpose of these sanctions was to dismantle Iran's nuclear weapons program. This agreement does not achieve that goal. In fact, this agreement puts Iran, the world's largest state sponsor of terror, on a glidepath to a nuclear bomb. Proponents say it is the only alternative to war, but I believe that is a false choice. I recently met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and he agreed that our goal should be a good deal, but that we cannot put our security at risk for a bad deal. Make no mistake, this is a bad deal for America and for our allies. It will not stop Iran's nuclear program. It will leave Iran with the ingredients for a bomb and infrastructure to build it, and it will spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. It will give Iran a cash windfall, freeing up over $100 billion to fuel the regime's global campaign of Islamist terror. Incredibly, this agreement lifts restrictions on Iran's ballistic missiles, which the Ayatollah himself said that they will mass-produce. There is only one reason to develop an ICBM, Mr. Speaker, and that is to deliver a nuclear warhead across continents, which means the United States. A top Iranian general bragged recently that his country will have ``a new ballistic missile test in the near future that will be a thorn in the eyes of our enemies.'' President Reagan's famous negotiating advice was to ``trust, but verify.'' We can't trust a regime that has cheated on every deal. President Rouhani says his country's centrifuges will never stop spinning and that they will ``buy, sell, and develop any weapons we need and will not ask for permission or abide by any resolution.'' Now, the White House is counting on verification measures spelled out in secret side deals between Iran and the IAEA, which Secretary Kerry testified to me that even he has not seen. Astoundingly, the AP reports that the side deal allows Iran to self-inspect its nuclear sites. Now, the American people, through their representatives in Congress, are expected to vote on this measure without seeing these secret deals, which goes to the heart of verification. This, in my judgment, is nothing short of reckless. Let's be clear-eyed about what we are debating. This was not a negotiation with an honest government; it was a negotiation with terrorists who chant ``death to America'' and are responsible for more than a thousand American casualties in Iraq alone. If we allow this deal to go forward, we are putting the security of the world at grave risk. Finally, Mr. Speaker, for the sake of our Nation's security and in defense of the free world, I cannot in good conscience support this agreement.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I commend Dr. Burgess and Chairman Upton for a bill that is truly visionary that will actually save lives, something we can rarely say we do up here in this place, but I believe this will provide cures for the next century. Mr. Speaker, there are two provisions I am very pleased to see in the bill. One is the Andrea Sloan CURE Act, which expands compassionate use to those who have life-threatening diseases and gives them greater access to lifesaving medications. Andrea is a friend of mine who, on her deathbed, asked me to try to make sure that this didn't happen to other people. And finally, I am pleased to see the reauthorization of the Creating Hope Act, which has now led to the second childhood cancer drug approved since the 1980s and the first FDA-approved drug to treat high- risk neuroblastoma. Mr. Speaker, I believe that with the passage of this bill we will see greater cures in the future, and we will not only save adults from cancers, but also children from this dreaded disease in the future.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us here today, in my judgment, is dangerous and should be defeated. For months, Congress and the American people have demanded a strategy from this administration to defeat and destroy ISIS, a barbaric and growing terrorist empire that threatens not only the people of Iraq and Syria but also the United States. Today the Secretary of Defense testified that ``ISIS is a threat to the homeland because of its avowed intentions to strike and recruit in this country. ISIS must be and will be dealt a lasting defeat.'' But this President does not have a strategy to accomplish this. We continue to fight the terrorists with one hand tied behind our back, and the only thing worse would be to disengage completely, which is exactly what this resolution would do. I recently led a bipartisan delegation to the Middle East, where I visited Iraq, ground zero in the fight against ISIS, a week before Ramadi was overtaken by ISIS, and I spoke with Prime Minister Abadi. Unfortunately, the current strategy, in my opinion, relies too heavily on Shia militias, a proxy of Iran, to defeat ISIS. We now have over 3,000 American servicemembers there to advise and assist the Iraqi national military. But the President has restricted our ability to take the fight to the enemy because he is more committed to his campaign pledge to end the wars in the Middle East than he is to ending ISIS. The President has, in fact, made the situation more dangerous. His failure to negotiate a status of forces agreement and the complete failure of Prime Minister Maliki to govern effectively created a vacuum that ISIS now fills. In Syria, a civil war continues to rage. There too ISIS has filled the void. Islamist fanatics from more than 100 countries have traveled overseas to fight with groups like ISIS and al Qaeda. Thousands of these jihadists carry Western passports and can exploit security gaps to return to the West and the homeland, where they plot attacks against the United States. Meanwhile, Iran is actively engaged in both Iraq and Syria, embedding Shia fighters in Sunni communities in Iraq and doing Assad's bidding in Syria. As Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently told our delegation: ``Iran and ISIS are competing for the crown of militant Islam.'' This resolution would ensure that Iran and ISIS will continue to dominate in the region while thousands of innocent civilians suffer and die. Just ask the Yazidi Christians in Iraq if they support leaving security in the hands of ISIS and the Iranians. Thousands of Yazidis would have been killed last summer if it weren't for U.S. airstrikes to repel an ISIS advancement against them. Nothing could be more irresponsible or damaging to our interests. But let me say this in response to those who say this is a vote to urge an AUMF vote. I personally support a strong AUMF, an authorization, but one to defeat and destroy ISIS. We met the White House counsel. He presented a very different AUMF that would restrict further the President's current abilities to destroy and defeat ISIS. I cannot support that. And this resolution, with all due respect, is the wrong way to accomplish the goal of defeating ISIS through a strong Authorization for Use of Military Force.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the Keating-McCaul amendment in the Intelligence Authorization Act. If adopted, our amendment would require the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress on the state of intelligence information sharing with overseas partners to help us identify security gaps so that we can improve international monitoring of foreign fighter travel both in and out of Syria and Iraq. Islamist fanatics from more than 100 countries have traveled overseas to fight with groups like ISIS and al Qaeda. Thousands of the jihadists carry Western passports and can exploit security gaps in places like Europe to return to the West, where they can plot attacks against America and our allies. Last month, I led a congressional delegation to the Middle East to investigate the flow of these foreign fighters. And while progress is being made, I am still troubled by intelligence and screening gaps, especially with our foreign partners. We need to make sure our allies not only share the identities of terrorists and foreign fighters with us but also with each other so that these extremists can be stopped before they cross our borders into the United States. This amendment will provide Congress critical information needed to close these security gaps and improve intelligence information sharing to defend our homeland. I applaud the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating) for his hard work on the amendment and for his strong participation in our delegation overseas, where we learned quite a bit. It is not very often you can pass something you think can save American lives, and I think this is one of them. I thank the gentleman again.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act. In this tough budget environment, I applaud Chairman Smith and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for crafting a bill that provides for much-needed investments in scientific research in a fiscally responsible manner. By setting priorities and eliminating duplicative activities, we are actually able to increase funding for new and promising research while keeping overall spending constant. This bill is designed to secure America's premier status in scientific and technological advancement in several ways. First, it improves our STEM education programs by adding computer sciences to the definition of STEM education, which will allow these programs to be used to train the next generation of high-tech workers and cybersecurity professionals. As our high-tech sector continues to expand in places like my hometown of Austin, it is important to make sure that we are producing enough qualified workers to fill these jobs. Second, this bill also helps researchers at our national labs commercialize their discoveries by removing bureaucratic obstacles. This will bring innovative new products to market faster, encouraging job creation and private sector investment. Most importantly, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act provides a substantial increase in funding for research activities at the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Department of Energy. This will allow the scientists at our universities, such as the University of Texas, to advance our understanding of the physical world and provide the foundation for future innovations by business and new entrepreneurs. I urge strong support of this bill.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the Carter-Rigell- McCaul-Gohmert Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2016 and in defense of our servicemembers' Second Amendment rights. Twice my home State of Texas has mourned the loss of our soldiers and civilians after shootings at Fort Hood just north of my district. In 2009, Nidal Hassan walked into Fort Hood's Soldier Readiness Center, shouted ``Allahu Akbar'', and opened fire, killing 13 and wounding 42 others in the most horrific terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. Five years later, another shooter opened fire on the base, killing four and wounding sixteen others. This is on top of other deadly attacks on military installations, such as the Navy Yard shooting in 2013, and the 2009 shooting at a recruiting center in Little Rock, Arkansas, where another Islamist radical killed one and wounded another. In each case, one has to wonder if something could have been done to stop the shooting sooner and to prevent more lives from being lost. For years, DOD has had a stringent policy which prevents well-trained soldiers from carrying personal firearms on base in compliance with state and local laws. The Carter-Rigell-McCaul-Gohmert Amendment will responsibly adjust this policy and allow members of the Armed Forces to carry a concealed personal firearm if their commander determines it to be necessary as a personal or force protection measure. This is especially important at a time when threats to our soldiers and military bases is growing. In March, ISIS published a ``kill list'' of the names, photos and addresses of American soldiers. Since then, the threat level at U.S. military bases increased to ``Force Protection Bravo,'' in response to the increased threat of terrorism. Mr. Chair, we must give our base commanders more discretion and our soldiers more protection. Thousands of my constituents in Texas already exercise this right responsibly. It is time for our servicemembers to be allowed to do the same.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. McSally).

Mr. McCAUL. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, with all due respect to my colleague, Customs and Border Protection have asked for this authority. They have a very different point of view, I would say, than you do, sir, from where you stand. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Nugent).

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 3 minutes. First, I would like to express my thanks to Chairman Thornberry for his leadership and hard work on this important legislation. This amendment deals with border security. It is an integral part of our national security, and as we draw down our military presence in Afghanistan, equipment used successfully in combat can be used to enhance border security at home and, in the process, save taxpayer dollars. Today, five aerostats used to protect forward operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan are now providing situational awareness in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Their use has helped agents apprehend dangerous aliens and interdict drugs that are en route to our neighborhoods. My amendment makes sure DHS can continue to acquire advanced DOD excess equipment by modifying current law, last updated in 1996, before the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, to provide preference for ``border security activities.'' This change puts border security and the Department of Homeland Security on equal footing with the Department of Justice and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. With this small change, DHS' border security components can readily tap into DOD's excess equipment on a preferential basis. In the past, United States Customs and Border Protection has missed out on thousands of articles of DOD excess gear because the equipment is often distributed on a first-come first-served basis. With the higher priorities, CBP will have a better opportunity to evaluate the cost effectiveness of a system before acquiring it. My amendment simply brings the law up to date and gives DHS the ability to apply military technology for the border security mission. Before I close, Mr. Chairman, I would like to address what this amendment does not do. It does not supply local police forces with equipment recently used in a war zone. It does not militarize our local law enforcement officials. In fact, if that is a concern, you should support my amendment, which will put more military excess in the hands of DHS. Finally, Mr. Chairman, it is important to note to my friends on the other side of the aisle that the administration actually supports the idea posed behind this amendment. The arguments in opposition, I believe, do not withstand scrutiny, and with that, Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, last week, I led a congressional delegation to the Middle East to investigate the flow of foreign fighters in and out of Syria and Iraq. While in Baghdad, I met with senior U.S. officials and leaders in the Iraqi Government, including the Prime Minister of Iraq. I am concerned, Mr. Chairman, that the lessons of the Maliki years in Iraq are not being learned as Sunnis and Kurds in Iraq continue to be on the sidelines. Sectarian divisions are being inflamed by the rise of Shia militants in Sunni communities. That is the proxy arm of Iran. The Kurds, meanwhile, are not getting access to the weapons they need from the central government quickly enough to fight ISIS. We need to empower the Peshmerga and the moderate Sunni tribes. This act takes important steps to not only counter ISIS, but to hold the Iraqi Government accountable to the major constituencies in the country--Shias, Sunnis, and Kurds. Specifically, section 1223 of the bill before us ties assistance to the Iraqi Government to progress in key areas, such as the central government's addressing grievances of ethnic and sectarian minorities; increasing political inclusiveness; reducing support for ISIS; and ensuring that U.S.-supplied equipment and weaponry is making it to the security forces in Iraq, who need it the most to defeat ISIS. The passage of this bill before us will go a long way in addressing the ISIS threat to the region and to the homeland.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. While far from perfect, the passage of this bill will ensure that Congress has a final say on the Obama administration's naive negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Last week, in Israel, I met with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, where I heard, once again, from our top ally in the region about the deep concern his country has over the dangerous agreement currently being hammered out by President Obama and the Ayatollah. For years, my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee have worked to ratchet up the pressure on Tehran through the toughest and most comprehensive sanctions ever devised. The sanctions passed in Congress brought Iran to the negotiating table. Last Congress, our committee, once again, passed another robust sanctions bill to give President Obama even more leverage over Tehran; but rather than accept our help, the President and his allies in the Senate opted, instead, to relieve Iran of the sanctions we had worked so hard to build. And for what, Mr. Speaker?--for an agreement that allows the world's leading state sponsor of terror to maintain a vast nuclear infrastructure whose centrifuges will never stop spinning and, according to President Rouhani, for an agreement that does nothing to address the military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program, such as the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles, which the Ayatollah says it should mass produce, or for an agreement that frees up billions of dollars that Iran can use to fund terror around the world. Mr. Speaker, Congress must have a say in any final agreement with Iran, and this bill will do just that. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, I support this amendment. The report required by this amendment would provide a quantifiable tool for the transparency, accountability, and oversight of Americans' civil liberties, and it will address privacy concerns. Privacy is a hallmark of H.R. 1731, and any opportunity to highlight to the American people how well DHS is protecting their civil liberties, while strengthening the cyber resilience of our Federal and non-Federal networks, is a welcome endeavor. The report will provide data on how well the program is working, and it will potentially identify any areas of improvement, which will further strengthen the robustness of DHS' cyber information-sharing practices. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of a point of order.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the motion to recommit.