Michael McCaul

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 771) standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff).

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), the chair of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa).

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the majority leader.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Jackson), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Kean), the chair of the Subcommittee on Europe.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Kentucky.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger).

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Fulcher).

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, Mr. Meeks, as well. Mr. Speaker, that is how the Foreign Affairs Committee operates. The fact that this is the most bipartisan resolution in modern history with 425 cosponsors, over 97 percent of this body, speaks volumes. It sends a strong message to the people of Israel that the United States Congress and the American people stand firmly behind you. The Hamas Covenant states, ``Ranks will close, fighters joining other fighters, and masses everywhere in the Islamic world will come forward in response to the call of duty, loudly proclaiming: `Hail to Jihad.' This cry will reach the heavens and will go on being resounded until liberation is achieved, the invaders vanquished, and Allah's victory comes about.'' In response to this, we will strengthen our resolve to stand with our ally Israel. This resolution sends a clear and unequivocal message that the United States House of Representatives and the American people condemn the barbarity of the genocide and war crimes perpetrated by Hamas. We want to make it clear that Israel has the right to defend herself to prevent an event like this from ever happening again. We assure you that the United States will be shoulder to shoulder with Israel supporting her right to self-defense. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a valued staff member and trusted advisor, Zachary Isakowitz, as he leaves to embark on the next steps in his career. Although he will be greatly missed, I could not be happier for the impact he will continue making within the technology sector. Zach has served as my Legislative Director for the last two and a half years. His role has been vital to the passing of some of my most important legislation, including the CHIPS for America Act. Zach's work was, foremost, dedicated to promoting the growth of semiconductor manufacturing in America. Together, we have seen billions invested in the technology industry in Texas and across the nation. We have secured funding for dozens of projects in Texas-10, including many at institutes of higher education. And we've passed crucial legislation combatting childhood cancer. I would like to thank Zach for a job well done. I am grateful for the dedication and support he has given to me, the staff, and the people of Texas' 10th Congressional District. I wish him all the best, both in life and throughout the remainder of his career. While his presence in my office will certainly be missed, I know Zach will continue to leave a positive mark on D.C. and our Nation. And remember, once a member of team McCaul, always a member of team McCaul.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 391, H.R. 1435, Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we all know that Iran has committed brutal human rights violations. This regime silences dissent and suppresses the truth, and those who dare speak out face severe consequences, including death. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was murdered by the Iranian regime, the so-called morality police, while in police custody. Iran's morality police had detained her for a false crime unthinkable to most of us here in this Chamber. What was the crime? It was failing to properly cover her hair. The people of Iran were outraged by her brutal murder and by the range of injustices that the Ayatollah subjects Iranians to day in and day out. This outrage led the great people of Iran to rise up in peaceful protest, demanding change. Sadly, but not surprisingly, the regime responded with a violent crackdown against the protesters. They detained tens of thousands of their own citizens and killed hundreds more. The regime choked off access to the outside world by blocking the internet. Disturbingly, violence and isolation are how they deny their own people their freedom and their voice. The international community has failed the people of Iran by failing to compel their oppressors to stop this abuse. We have many sanctions laws designed to address the Iranian regime's human rights violations. However, it is clear that many officials and institutions in Iran have not yet been sanctioned for their role in these abuses. That is why it is so important that we pass this bipartisan bill that was authored and introduced by Representative Banks from Indiana. We must require the President to formally determine whether specific high-ranking regime officials and institutions meet the criteria for imposition of our sanctions and then act based on those determinations. The Biden administration has its own political agenda when it comes to Iran. This administration wants to broker a bad nuclear agreement with Iran and has made it clear that it is willing to sacrifice leverage in the form of sanctions enforcement to do so. My longstanding concerns only grew when we learned that the administration's chief negotiator, Rob Malley, was being investigated for problems with his security clearance. This administration must be transparent about these allegations and how they have impacted the last 2 years of Iran's policy. To the administration, I say this: We must not sell out the Iranian people to reach a bad nuclear deal with Iran. A nuclear Iran is simply not acceptable. We must fully enforce the laws on the books that we have in order to stop the grotesque human rights violations taking place in Iran. That is why as we approach the 1-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini's tragic death--it is so fitting that we do it here in this Chamber this week--Congress must show the world that we have not forgotten Mahsa or the millions of Iranians who have experienced violence, oppression, and even death at the hands of the regime. Mr. Speaker, I urge unanimous support for this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, June 22, 2023. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul, I am writing with respect to H.R. 589, the ``Mahsa Amini Human rights and Security Accountability Act.'' As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions on which the Committee on Ways and Means has a jurisdictional interest, I will not request a sequential referral on this measure. The Committee on Ways and Means takes this action with the mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and the Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues that fall within our jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or similar legislation, and requests your support for such request. Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R. 589. Sincerely, Jason Smith, Chairman.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3152) to impose sanctions with respect to countries, individuals, and entities that engage in any effort to acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or deploy Iranian missiles and related goods and technology, including materials and equipment, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.