Michael McCaul

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Iran poses an existential threat to the global balance of power, threatening our national security, as well as those of our allies, and regional stability. General Kurilla, the commander of the U.S. Central Command, who I met with at the Munich Security Conference, testified to Congress this year that Iran possessed both the largest and most diverse missile arsenal in the Middle East and the largest and most capable unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone, force in the region, which is why the passage of the Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports Act is so vital. For years, we have seen Iran and its terrorist proxies use these weapons against the United States as well as our partners and allies throughout the Middle East. In January 2020, Iran launched a missile attack on U.S. troops in Iraq. Iranian UAVs are frequently used to attack U.S. servicemembers and personnel in the Middle East. These UAVs are a deadly threat that have killed and wounded Americans. Iranian UAVs have also been used in destructive strikes on Saudi- and Israeli-linked targets. Iran frequently provides these deadly weapons to its proxies, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iraqi militia groups. Now, Iran's lethal drones are wreaking havoc outside the Middle East. Hundreds of these drones have been deployed by Vladimir Putin against civilian and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, becoming a key element in his unprovoked war of aggression and war crimes. For years, Iran's missile and drone proliferation to its terror proxies and to Russia has taken place in outright violation of the United Nations international embargo on Iran's missile and drone programs. We note that the Ayatollah, Vladimir Putin, and Iran's terrorist proxies don't care about violating U.N. resolutions, but other countries do. Next month, these international restrictions on Iran's lethal missile and drone programs will expire after 15 years. I am deeply concerned that the marketplace for Iran's missiles and drones will expand. Dangerous autocrats, war criminals, and terrorists around the world will turn to Iran for missiles and drones, just as we saw them doing following the expiration of the U.N. arms embargo on Iran in 2020. That is why it is urgent that the House pass my bipartisan bill, the Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports, or Fight CRIME, Act. The bill, which I was proud to introduce with Ranking Member Meeks, imposes strict mandatory sanctions on Iran's missile and drone capability to fill the gap left by the expiration of the U.N. restrictions. Everyone must know that if they purchase Iran's weapons of war, they will be frozen out of the U.S. financial system, denied use of the U.S. dollar, and denied access to the United States. For years, Iran and its proxies have rained hell on the Middle East from the sky with their attack UAVs. Now Iran's dangerous arsenal is enabling Russian war crimes and the devastation of Ukraine. We cannot wait to act until the U.N. restrictions expire. We need to prevent these weapons sales now before these deadly missiles and drones are on the battlefield. In fact, Iran is working with Russia inside of Russia to make these very drones. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. September 1, 2023. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. Dear Chairman McCaul: I write regarding H.R. 3152, the Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports Act. Provisions of this bill fall within the Judiciary Committee's Rule X jurisdiction, and I appreciate that you consulted with us on those provisions. The Judiciary Committee agrees that it shall be discharged from further consideration of the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor. The Committee takes this action with the understanding that forgoing further consideration of this measure does not in any way alter the Committee's jurisdiction or waive any future jurisdictional claim over these provisions or their subject matter. We also reserve the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees in the event of a conference with the Senate involving this measure or similar legislation. I ask that you please include this letter in your committee's report to accompany this legislation. I appreciate the cooperative manner in which our committees have worked on this matter, and I look forward to working collaboratively in the future on matters of shared jurisdiction. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Jim Jordan, Chairman.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Dean for her strong support of this measure and her leadership. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I reserve the right to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Despite what you may hear about partisan divides, our committee, I think, stands apart. This bill to impose sanctions on those doing business with Iran's missile and drone program was introduced by myself and Ranking Member Meeks of the Foreign Affairs Committee. It passed our committee unanimously. It has over 225 cosponsors, with a mix of Republicans and Democrats. Congress and the American people are keenly aware of the destructive power of Iran's drones, and we are absolutely committed to reining in this threat. We are united in delivering a bipartisan message to countries around the world: Do not buy or acquire Iranian drones and missiles. Do not associate yourself with the IRGC, Vladimir Putin, or Iran's terrorist proxies. Putin and the Ayatollah may try to ramp up their military cooperation, but we will do everything in our power to stop them, and in doing so, safeguard free democracies around the world. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 589) to impose sanctions on the Supreme Leader of Iran and the President of Iran and their respective offices for human rights abuses and support for terrorism, as amended.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Banks), who is the author of this bill.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Ranking Member Meeks, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, and Congressman Lloyd Doggett for their work on this bill. I also thank Representative Banks for leading this important bipartisan measure to ensure the United States upholds its moral responsibility as a beacon of freedom in human rights. This bill does not create any new sanctions programs. The tools we are discussing here today already exist. We are simply asking the administration to enforce them. We must do everything we can to stand with the people of Iran and prevent more violence and suffering. I feel for Mahsa's family, seeing her being beaten, tortured, and put to death for the so-called crime of merely not wearing her hijab correctly is really unfathomable to Americans and our way of life in a free society, and it cannot stand. I look forward to a day when the Ayatollah is out of power and the people of Iran can be free to express themselves without this kind of oppression and tyranny. I know it will happen one day, and I hope it happens in my lifetime. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. 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 this measure.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 492) condemning the Government of Iran's state- sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as the Iranian regime continues to violate human rights, we must condemn the regime's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority and its other ongoing abuses. For the past year, Iran's barbaric human rights violations have faced renewed scrutiny following the regime's crackdown on peaceful protests after the murder of Mahsa Amini. Unfortunately, this sickening cruelty has become characteristic of the Iranian regime's control for over 40 years. The regime has consistently targeted the Baha'i and other religious minorities with harassment, discrimination, and violence. For decades, the Iranian regime has terrorized the Baha'i, who face arbitrary arrest, forced disappearances, property confiscation, and economic discrimination at the hands of the regime. Religious persecution in any form is repulsive, and we must condemn it in the strongest possible terms. That is why I cosponsored this resolution, which the gentlewoman from Illinois, Congresswoman Schakowsky, introduced. This measure details Iran's ongoing crimes against the Baha'i minority and calls for further action to address these serious human rights abuses. Congress will continue to stand with all the people of Iran to defend their rights, including religious freedom. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Ranking Member Meeks, Congresswoman Dean, and the gentlewoman from Illinois for offering this bipartisan resolution in support of human rights and religious freedom for the Baha'i community in Iran. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston, and all the people of Ukraine, on their Independence Day. The spirit of Ukraine is an inspiration to all freedom loving peoples in the world. The rights that we so often take for granted are under constant threat from dictators like Vladimir Putin. There is no stronger example of what it takes to stand up for liberty in the world today than the struggle fought every day in Ukraine. I take a special pride in offering this congratulations as Texans and Ukrainians are most assuredly kindred spirits. In a book he wrote after a 1946 trip to the Soviet Union, the late John Fischer concluded that Ukrainians are ``Texans in Fur Hats.'' It's no surprise that a significant portion of the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants to the United States settled in Texas. Our histories are intertwined, as is our love of liberty. Glory to Ukraine (Slava Ukraini).

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Julie Kim upon her retirement from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) after 33 years of dedicated public service. During this time, Ms. Kim advised Members, congressional staff, and committees on a wide range of foreign policy issues and historic world events with significant ramifications for the security of the United States and U.S geopolitical interests. Ms. Kim joined CRS as an Analyst in European Affairs in the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall, at a time of momentous change in Europe and during a critical period in U.S. foreign policy. Ms. Kim covered the post-communist transitions in Eastern Europe, the break-up of the former Soviet Union, and the wars in the Western Balkans in the 1990s. Through her written analysis and consultative work on topics ranging from U.S. foreign assistance to Central and Eastern Europe, to NATO and European Union enlargement, to sanctions policy and peacekeeping operations in the Western Balkans, Ms. Kim contributed immensely to the knowledge of this body and its ability to provide oversight and respond legislatively to the implications of these seismic events for European security, transatlantic relations, and U.S. global leadership. Ms. Kim also directly supported CRS' leading role in implementing the Frost-Solomon Task Force on the Development of Parliamentary Institutions for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the 1990s. She later served as a key CRS liaison with the House Democracy Assistance Commission/House Democracy Partnership (HDP), which evolved from the work of the Frost-Solomon Task Force, and subsequently participated in many congressional legislative strengthening programs in Europe and beyond. For the past 19 years, Ms. Kim served in a number of managerial positions at CRS, including 11 years as the Section Research Manager of the Foreign Policy Management and Global Issues section within the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division (FDT), and as Acting Deputy Assistant Director of FDT several times. In recent years, Ms. Kim headed the Europe and the Americas team of analysts, who have been actively engaged in advising Congress as it addresses Russian military aggression against Ukraine, as well as political unrest and migration in Latin America, among other significant foreign policy challenges. Ms. Kim also contributed to many CRS-wide managerial initiatives, including playing an integral role in managing the public release of CRS products and working to increase diversity and inclusion at CRS, including through her efforts to establish a relationship between CRS and the Rangel/Payne summer internship program. In all of these managerial posts, Ms. Kim demonstrated exemplary leadership skills and mentored countless new analysts and younger colleagues, leaving a lasting imprint and legacy of excellence and service on the CRS workforce. Please join me in expressing the gratitude of this body, and its appreciation on behalf of the American people, to Ms. Kim for more than three decades of service to CRS and the U.S. Congress. Alongside her CRS colleagues, family, and friends, we congratulate Ms. Kim on a storied and impactful career and on a well-deserved retirement.

Mr. McCAUL

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a long-time staff member and dear friend. Christopher Del Beccaro, who is leaving to embark on his next adventure. Although he will be greatly missed, I could not be happier for the chapter of life he is about to enter with his soon-to-be wife. Chris has been my right-hand man, serving as Chief of Staff for the last 4 years. He has earned the reputation of a kind, patient. and dependable chief. I could always rely upon him for intelligent, helpful advice when it came to policy and politics. Even more importantly, he has led my office with a sincere heart. My staff has often remarked on his compassion and genuine concern for their well-being. He brought a spirit of laughter and support in both good times and in difficult moments. Chris stays true to who he is and what he believes, and I know it will bring him much success throughout the remainder of his life. I thank Christopher Del Beccaro for a job well done. I am forever grateful for the friendship and support he has given to me, the staff, and the people of our congressional district. I wish him and his fiance, Evgeniya, all the best with their upcoming wedding in Montenegro and the adventures that lie ahead. His presence in my office will certainly be missed, but Chris will undoubtedly continue to be a trusted advisor to me. Once a member of Team McCaul, always a member of Team McCaul.

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 include extraneous material on this measure.

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

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 57) expressing the sense of Congress supporting the State of Israel.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, the President of Israel will address this body in a joint session. It will be a great day in American history as Representatives of one of the greatest democracies are addressed by the head of state of another. Democracy and its shared values are at the very core of the U.S.-Israel relationship. The beauty of our friendship is that we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as we defend our freedom and our way of life from threats like Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other forms of terrorism. Let me be clear. Israel is not a racist country. It is deeply disturbing and concerning to me that some in this body have such a profound misunderstanding of Israel and Israeli society. The previous government in Israel had Arab parties and Arab ministers serving in the coalition government. What a fantastic achievement for democracy. It is no secret that Israel is a country in a tough neighborhood that is clear-eyed in seeing many threats in its own backyard. The United States will always support Israel's right to self-defense. We see Israeli citizens being murdered in senseless terrorist attacks. At times, the fallen have been American citizens. Israel is responsible for protecting the well-being of its citizens. Protecting one's citizens from terrorist attacks is not racism. It is national security. To think otherwise is small-minded, and quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, it is just plain and simply wrong. A key component of friendship is looking out for one another and standing up for each other. Racism has no place in this body or in public discord, period. I support this resolution rejecting false accusations and repulsive anti-Israel statements. I stand--and I know almost everyone in this Chamber stands--with our friends in Israel. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas (Mr. Pfluger) for bringing this resolution forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger), the author of this resolution.

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).

Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn).