Daniel Meuser

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, the American people are sick and tired of runaway government promises of how excessive spending, tax increases, and Green New Deal special interest investments are somehow going to make their lives better and reduce inflation. Yet, we are here today in this Chamber to raise taxes on the American people, hire 87,000 new IRS auditors forever more, Mr. Speaker, and pass over a half trillion dollars in new government spending, all in the name of the Inflation Reduction Act. Mr. Speaker, is this some sort of joke? Do we actually think that the American people believe that? Well, they don't. By the way, regarding the $400,000 less won't get taxed, if a pass- through business makes $400K and the partners pay themselves $100,000 each, they will fall under the audit initiative by the IRS. As well, the projections for IRS hiring do not count only taxing those over $400K, so the whole thing was made up to make it sound better than it is. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. We do. We can.

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson), my good friend, the vice chair, for his leadership. Madam Speaker, my constituents tend to say this phrase very often lately. They have had enough. Madam Speaker, American families, seniors, and small business owners are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing inflation. That is not news to anyone. Families are contending with high prices at the grocery store just to put food on their table and canceling summer vacations due to record-high gas prices. Small business owners are being squeezed with the increased prices of supplies, shipping costs, wages, you name it, while they are seeing reduced revenues from customers who are reducing their own spending, of course. Our seniors, many living on fixed incomes, are struggling to maintain their basic quality of life, afford necessities, and the gasoline it takes to travel to their doctor appointments. But, Madam Speaker, you don't have to take my word for it. This week, I asked my constituents how inflation has impacted their daily lives. In less than 24 hours, I received over 1,400 responses from seniors, from small business owners, from mothers and fathers from every corner of my district who are struggling to keep up with inflation. A few examples: Michelle from Schuylkill County had to cancel necessary doctor appointments because she cannot afford the current price of gasoline. Karl and his family from Carbon County had to cancel their vacation due to astronomical gas prices. William from Carbon County has informed me that inflation has gotten so bad that he must choose between eating or whether to fill up a gas tank to attend his needed doctor appointments. Rick, a small business owner from Luzerne County, has had to slow down his business expansion and is unable to hire new employees while also having to raise prices just to keep his business afloat. Scott from Lebanon County has been unable to visit his elderly father due to inflation slashing into his savings. These are actual responses from my constituents. Today, Madam Speaker, I had small business owners and constituents from my district in for a small business roundtable. Some of their feedback on inflation included fighting the headwinds rather than extending any of their resources to grow their business, delaying growth and delaying projects and hiring. One constituent who does construction stated that the recent T&I bill that was passed in this House will now create 30 percent less projects in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because of the high level of inflation. That really hits home, to say the least. Madam Speaker, I have to say that in only 18 months, my constituents are right. They have had enough.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana, my very good friend, for offering this opportunity to speak on these important issues. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago this week, President Biden stood before the American people and said that inflation was temporary. At that point, the Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation, of course, stood at 5.4 percent. In the 365 days since, the price of nearly everything has increased, and the Consumer Price Index has skyrocketed at 9.1 percent. Eggs are up 33 percent; milk is up 16 percent; chicken is up 18 percent; and worst of all, Americans are paying over 60 percent more for gasoline than they were a year ago, costing American families, my constituents, and everyone throughout our country, nearly $6,000 extra a year. Now we have our Transportation Secretary telling us the truth, that this pain--and I'm quoting--will lead to more purchases of electric cars. So that was the plan. Thanks for being honest, Mr. Secretary. Meanwhile, however, neither the administration nor the Secretary of Transportation has any understanding of where the energy comes from to charge all of these electric cars. They are not exactly chess players, Mr. Speaker. As my friend from Louisiana put it, inflation, incompetence--the third ``I''?

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, U.S. troops are in Syria to fight ISIS pursuant to the 2001 counter-terrorism AUMF. For years, we have worked with partners on the ground to eliminate the deadly and destabilizing threat of ISIS. This mission in Syria has been extremely successful. The job, however, is nowhere near done. Just this week, our military succeeded in eliminating the leader of ISIS in Syria. This comes after the capture of a top ISIS leader and bombmaker in northwest Syria last month. According to the U.S. Central Command, ``removal of these ISIS leaders will disrupt the terrorist organization's ability to further plot and carry out attacks.'' Our continued presence on the ground is necessary to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. Such a short-sighted amendment would prematurely cut short our presence in Syria. Our force in Syria has been extremely effective and part of a global coalition to defeat ISIS. This is not the time for the U.S. to abandon our allies and partners in Syria. We have seen what occurs when such actions are taken. None of us want our soldiers, American soldiers, men and women, overseas longer than absolutely necessary. Many of us believe that the AUMF of 2001 must be updated and replaced. But forcing a withdrawal too soon virtually ensures we will have to return. Such a plan that is outlined in this amendment undermines our military position. We saw it in Iraq when President Obama withdrew, and U.S. troops had to go back in just a few years later to fight ISIS. We must avoid a similar situation in Syria. Withdrawal should be based on the defeat of ISIS, not on an artificial timeline. For these reasons, I urge opposition to this amendment. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson) for his leadership. Madam Speaker, President Biden's plan to tame escalating inflation passes the buck to Americans once again. Costs for driving to work, feeding families, housing, and utilities are under unimaginable increases and strain on my constituents, thanks to the disastrous policies. President Biden largely puts responsibility on the Federal Reserve to stabilize inflation. However, the shocks that the Biden administration has brought to our economy are out of the Fed's control. Sure, they play a role here. A majority of the inflation, however, has been caused by the assault on domestic energy, excessive government spending, and incentivizing a lack of American productivity. President Biden then wonders why we don't embrace his plan to reduce inflation by tapping the emergency energy reserves. Somehow that is going to lower gas prices. Well, it hasn't. It is a bad idea, and it hasn't made a dent. Shockingly, against every fundamental of economics that we are even taught back in the seventh grade, Madam Speaker, he wants to raise taxes on American businesses, which, according to the Biden administration, will reduce the deficit, slow inflation, and create jobs. I am surprised it wouldn't put food on the table as well. Americans, in their opinion, need relief right now, not in some far off, far out way. Small businesses are rightfully concerned about surviving after having to absorb huge new costs since the Biden administration came into office. And this is factual. The data is there, and the graphs are there. Bidenomics has greatly worsened what was and is a challenging time for our economy. But digging a hole much deeper than necessary and exacerbating pain for Americans who are struggling to cope with one economic hardship after another is certainly not the answer. There is no doubt the Federal Reserve's delay in acting did make inflation worse, and America's overreliance on goods made in China also contributed to inflation, along with the COVID supply chain setbacks. However, we would be nowhere near the position we are in now if it were not for the terrible Bidenomics that they put in place. These reckless actions have turned economic challenges into a full-blown, as some describe, hurricane of an economic crisis. These policies have spearheaded an assault, an absolute assault, on our domestic energy--this is unforgivable--over the last 18 months. President Biden canceled the Keystone pipeline. That was just the start of it. He halted issuance of other pipeline and drilling permits--far less were issued than were ever issued during the Obama years; mitigated LNG exports; threatened domestic banks and investment companies against investing in carbon fuels. Our domestic energy went from a state of independence and surplus to a high level of dependency. After these Biden administration policies kicked in, the U.S. became at the mercy, once again, to the energy players like OPEC and Russia, meaning any geopolitical disruption would spike gas prices, leading to cascades of issues for Americans, consumers, and businesses. Madam Speaker, we have seen this before. This is a rerun. This is why U.S. domestic energy independence is so crucial. However, the administration, and many in this Chamber, have a ``go green now or else'' mentality, which has generated $5-plus gasoline prices and caused natural gas to go so far high up in price that fertilizer costs have caused farmers' prices and costs to skyrocket. Of course, food on everybody's table soon followed. Biden and the Democrats--and it is far too many Democrats, frankly-- in Congress continued spending trillions which exacerbated inflation, leading to predictable inflation where even Democrats such as Larry Summers, an economist, stated, look out for a rapid rise and a sustained inflationary period. Many others said, Oh, no, Larry's wrong this time. Well, Larry was not wrong. Now, with the threat of tax increases and a laundry list of every regulatory antigrowth measure imaginable, this woke, go-broke economy is going to continue to fail American families. Madam Speaker, we must encourage responsible domestic energy production. We must lower taxes to rev up our economy. The United States must have the most competitive economy in the world, job creation machine and perhaps a job creation tax credit. We must support production of items made in America. We must do our very best to buy American, and we need to pivot from this awful path that we continue to be on. I will wrap up by simply stating that we must recognize where the problem started, what the problem is, have a plan for solutions, and that means having the courage to change course now.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Luetkemeyer, for his leadership on this bill and in committee. The EIDL program, Madam Speaker, was established to deliver relief to struggling small businesses during the pandemic. This is why I rise today in support of H.R. 7334. Unlike the public-private partnership that was Paycheck Protection Program, the EIDL program was a direct loan program administered by the SBA, not in partnership with private lenders. The SBA's inspector general has estimated that there is approximately $84.4 billion in potential fraudulent EIDL activity, over 20 percent of all EIDL loans extended. With this massive level of potential fraud, it is imperative that this House passes Ranking Member Luetkemeyer's bill to extend the current 5-year statute of limitations for SBA grants and loans to 10 years. In doing so we can allow for authorities to investigate the egregious amount of potential fraud in the EIDL program and ensure accountability for those who took advantage of the EIDL program to defraud the American people. Madam Speaker, I note that this bill had strong bipartisan support and passed out of the Small Business Committee by voice vote last month. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, as Americans struggle to afford the record-high price of gas and the cost to keep their homes comfortable this summer, they are losing their cool with President Biden's attempts to develop a plan to tame skyrocketing inflation while playing the blame game. Harry Truman said and was known for ``the buck stops here.'' The Biden mantra seems to be ``pass the buck.'' While the President puts the blame on the Federal Reserve for inflation and taps the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to provide a few pennies a gallon off the price of gas, Americans continue to pay historic prices at the pump, face sticker shock at the supermarket, and wonder which utility company will raise their rates next. We have gone from an energy independent Nation to one that is at the mercy of OPEC and Russia with consequences that are rattling the world economy. Yet, the President tells us this is the most robust recovery in modern history. It is time to embrace the truth and do what works: Responsible domestic energy production; lower taxes to rev up our economy; stop the reckless spending; and reduce the economic burden on Americans. We need the courage to change course.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Police Week and thank our men and women in law enforcement. Every day, law enforcement officers put on their uniform and go to work to protect and serve the citizens. However, their service does not come without danger. Just this year, 123 officers have been shot in the line of duty, which is 46 more officers than were shot this time in 2020. Supporting our police and assuring public safety for our citizens should not be a red or a blue issue but a red, white, and blue issue. This morning, I joined Leader McCarthy and Republican Members on a Back the Blue bike tour alongside about 40 Capitol Police officers after which we honored our Nation's fallen police officers. One officer along the way did express to me that he was honored to serve; however, it was difficult as he was pointed at by some and called terrible names while in uniform. He stated he could take it, but he lacked a confident tone. As the son of a former police officer, Madam Speaker, I know the tremendous stresses on our officers and their loved ones. We all must back the blue.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, diseases and pandemics know no borders. Taiwan is a critical player in global health, and it is a global transportation hub. In blocking Taiwan from the WHO, the CCP is placing the world at risk to soothe their own insecurities. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of S. 812, directing the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization. This bill has passed the House in each of the last three Congresses, so I am glad the two Chambers have finally come together to send this bill to the President's desk before the World Health Assembly next month. I thank Representative Young Kim for introducing the House version of this bill early last year and former Representative Ted Yoho for his work on this issue in previous Congresses. Taiwan is a model contributor to global health, and Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO isn't just unfair; it is dangerous. The world is still paying the price of the Chinese Communist Party's coverup of the original COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. Taiwan's exclusion from the World Health Organization made the situation even worse by depriving the world of Taiwan's early warning. Unfortunately, Xi Jinping and the CCP are continuing to jeopardize global health by marginalizing Taiwan. The CCP is hijacking the WHO to advance its own political agenda. Taiwan has been totally excluded from participating in the WHO's annual World Health Assembly since 2016. Despite the CCP's interference, Taiwan is a model democracy that makes the world a better place. The people of Taiwan deserve to participate in the World Health Organization, so I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim).

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support as well of H.R. 923, the Georgia Support Act. Since Russia invaded Georgia in 2008, Putin has illegally occupied 20 percent of Georgia's territory, embroiling Georgia in an existential battle for its sovereignty. The ongoing, flagrant invasion of Ukraine proves that Putin will stop at nothing to accomplish his heinous goals. Our allies in Georgia need strong U.S. support now more than ever. It must be made abundantly clear to Putin that the American people stand with Georgia and will not tolerate a further incursion into Georgia's territory. This bill will reaffirm U.S. support for Georgia's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity by authorizing a review of security assistance to Georgia to determine key capability gaps, as well as looking at U.S.-Georgia cybersecurity cooperation and assistance to combat Russian disinformation. Russian meddling in Georgia's political processes and active disinformation campaigns continue to threaten Georgia's democratic trajectory. But critically, the bill also addresses the need for Georgia to maintain its focus on democracy and governance development in order to stay on its Euro-Atlantic path. Finally, this bill authorizes the President to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for human rights abuses in Georgia's occupied territories, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. By erecting and constantly moving the border further into Georgia's territory, restricting freedom of movement and conducting arbitrary detentions, killings, and kidnappings, Putin has jeopardized the lives of all Georgians on both sides of the boundary line with his occupied territories. Passing this bill is a timely opportunity to show support for an ally that has been on the front line of Putin's belligerence for well over a decade. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow Putin to believe he can turn to Georgia next after his despicable invasion of Ukraine. Georgia, a longstanding U.S. partner in a tough neighborhood, has for too long been on the front line of Putin's unchecked aggression. This bill passed in the House the last two Congresses by an overwhelming bipartisan majority, and I urge my colleagues to support our Georgian allies yet again. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H. Res. 833, which expresses support for Moldova's democracy, independence, and territorial integrity and calls for strengthening U.S. and Moldova relations. Needless to say, this is an especially opportune time to consider this resolution; not only because this year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries, but also given the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and the challenge it poses to other countries in the region, including Moldova. Moldova's humanitarian response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its generosity have been truly remarkable. For example, Moldova has accepted nearly 434,000 Ukrainian refugees. To put that into perspective, that is around 5 percent of Moldova's entire population. Not only does this resolution commend Moldova's strong support for Ukraine, but also commits the U.S. to continue to assist Moldova in addressing the economic impacts of the crisis, its energy security, and advancing democratic reforms. I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to show that the U.S. Congress is committed to a long-term partnership with Moldova. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Representatives Price and Pfluger for their work on this resolution. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is making the whole of Europe less secure. U.S. support for our allies and partners must therefore extend to Ukraine's neighbors, like Moldova. The ominous threat made by a Russian general last week that the Kremlin aimed to seize a land bridge from the Donbas to Odesa and then to Transnistria, the Russian-supported breakaway region in Moldova, shows why the U.S. must pay close attention to Moldova and its security. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to demonstrate the U.S. Congress' strong support of our friends in Moldova. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bipartisan bill, the Transatlantic Telecommunications Security Act. This legislation authorizes the U.S. Development Finance Corporation to provide financing for secure 5G and future generations telecommunications infrastructure development projects in select Central and Eastern European countries with upper-middle-income economies or high-income economies. This authorization aims to push back against CCP efforts to dominate the 5G and future generations telecommunications networks of our strategic allies and partners in the region, many of whom are NATO allies. Ensuring the security of the telecommunications network of our NATO allies and partners in Central and Eastern Europe is unquestionably in the U.S. national security interest. Moreover, this bill targets the majority of countries in the Three Seas Initiative. Launched by 12 of our close friends in Central and Eastern Europe, the Three Seas Initiative seeks to expand cross-border energy, transportation, and digital infrastructure, as well as boost economic development in the region. Though it is a regional initiative, it has global implications that serve not only European but U.S. security and economic interests. We in Congress have expressed great concern that CCP is exporting corruption, debt traps, and poor labor and environmental standards to Europe and across the world through its 17+1 and Belt and Road initiatives. The Three Seas Initiative seeks to address these concerns by providing positive alternatives to PRC investments in the region, including in its 5G and future telecom networks. The last administration successfully convinced most of Central and Eastern Europe to opt not to use high-risk Chinese suppliers in their telecommunications networks. Supporting the Three Seas Initiative's efforts to expand secure digital infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe will carry forward this major foreign policy success and ensures the transatlantic community remains united in its clear-eyed assessment of the threat the CCP poses to telecommunications security. In addition, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine must serve as a wake-up call to the dangers of allowing our adversaries to expand their influence in critical sectors of our economies. In particular, Europe's energy dependence on Russia has made it difficult to rally the continent around tougher sanctions and is funding the Kremlin's war machine to the tune of about $1 billion every day. This is not in Europe's or the United States' national security interests. We cannot wait for a potential conflict over Taiwan to assist our closest allies and partners in Europe and beyond in cutting out the CCP's malign influence now that it has been used to gain leverage over our democratic allies. This bill would help ensure we learn from our collective past mistakes. Lastly, this bill is important because it directs the Secretary of State to appoint a campaign director among existing personnel for the upcoming election at the International Telecommunications Union, the ITU, which sets global standards for technologies such as 5G. Russia's campaign to elect a Russian national who is a former Huawei executive to serve as the secretary general of the ITU is indicative of Russia's and China's efforts to use international organizations to promote their interests and malign influence. The United States should ensure that we are coordinated in driving support for the U.S. candidate, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, for the secretary general of the ITU, but the State Department should also engage on the important down-ballot races at the ITU. There are four other posts of significance within the ITU's leadership structure, including the director of the ITU Development Sector, the ITU-D. The ITU-D plays a particularly vital role in supporting multilateral cooperation for fair and open internet governance through trustworthy deployment of digital technologies in the developing world. The U.S. must be doing everything we can to ensure Russian and Chinese malign influence does not grow. This bill would help. The Three Seas Initiative seeks to address threats posed by the CCP by providing positive alternatives to PRC investments in the region, including in its 5G and future telecoms networks. We must support our allies in Central and Eastern Europe as they seek, through the Three Seas Initiative, to reduce their dependence on Moscow's and Beijing's economic overtures. Only together can we face the threats posed by the authoritarian regimes in China and Russia. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7311 to require the State Department to develop a strategy to counter Russian malign influence in Africa. As the world continues to watch Russia commit unspeakable atrocities and war crimes in Ukraine, the U.S. and our allies and partners must fully assess the threat posed by Russian activities around the world. This bill requires the State Department to assess the threat of Russia's engagement in Africa and create a plan to counter the Russian Federation's growing influence on the continent. In particular, the bill requires a specific focus on extractive industries, security assistance, and strategic basing agreements. In Sudan, Russia is pursuing an agreement to establish a military base on the Red Sea. Russian mercenaries are also active in the Central African Republic, Mali, and Libya. While they claim to support stabilization efforts, in reality, they are committing gross violations of human rights and exploiting natural resources. Just last month, Russian mercenaries were implicated in a massacre of over 200 people in Mali. This was the worst attack in Mali in over 10 years. Further reports indicate that they attempted to blame the atrocities on French forces after French intelligence footage showed Russian mercenaries burying victims' bodies outside of a former French military base. Putin's complicity in these atrocities and war crimes around the world, and disinformation campaigns to avoid accountability, cannot go unanswered. I strongly condemn these attacks and the destabilizing role of Russia across the continent and the world. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Chairman Meeks and Ranking Member McCaul, as well as Chairwoman Bass and Ranking Member Smith on the Subcommittee for Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, for offering this important measure. The assessment and strategy required by the bill is an important first step, but the U.S. must do more to counter Russian malign activity wherever it is present, and the atrocities and war crimes ongoing in Ukraine further underscore the urgency. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues again to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, narcotics trafficking and illicit money from the Caribbean is fueling America's drug crisis and is destabilizing the Western Hemisphere. The same groups that traffic narcotics, weapons, and humans also spread misery throughout the region and into the U.S. homeland. At the same time, malign actors like the Chinese Communist Party spread their web of influence in the region. This problem is especially troubling since the Caribbean is home to a large concentration of Taiwan's diplomatic allies. As evidenced by Nicaragua's recent decision to sever long-standing ties with Taiwan, the CCP is employing a range of tools to advance its malign agenda in the Caribbean and throughout Latin America. Congress must remain committed to working with our allies to address shared security threats, cooperating on regional challenges, and promoting democratic governance. That is why I am supporting the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act. As the CCP exerts its malign influence and drugs flow into the United States, now is the time to work with our allies in the region to ensure our national security interests are protected. This legislation will expand our Caribbean partners' ability to surveil illicit actors in the water and in the air, improve local law enforcement's ability to intercept narcotics trafficking, strengthen local criminal justice institutions, and support natural disaster response efforts. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. and our partners must seriously confront the growing threat posed by the CCP in the Caribbean and beyond. As the situation at our border gets worse, deadly drugs like fentanyl are surging across our southern border from illicit actors in Latin America. We must address the issue immediately. We cannot ignore the Caribbean, America's third border. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Meeks, Mr. Sires, Mr. Green, and Mr. Connolly for leading this measure. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Iran and its proxies continue to threaten U.S. troops and our partners throughout the Middle East with drones. Iran-backed militia groups attacked U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria with UAVs throughout 2021. Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia doubled over the first 9 months of 2021 compared to 2020, which included frequent UAV assaults. Where do the Houthis get most of their dangerous UAV technology? Iran. And Iran continues to use UAVs to threaten Israel, including in its deadly attack on an Israeli-owned tanker last summer. This is exactly why I am opposed to striking another bad nuclear deal with Iran that would line the regime's pockets with cash. We need to be constraining Iran's resources, not filling its coffers. The more money Iran has, the more it will spend on threats to the U.S. and our partners. Period. This situation is intolerable. The people of the Middle East, including Americans living there, cannot live in freedom, stability, or prosperity under assault by Iran's drones. We have to limit Iran's ability to build and supply drones. This crucial legislation will take the necessary steps to help reduce the threats of Iranian drones. It clarifies that our existing sanctions on Iran's conventional weapons program include the supply, sale, or transfer to or from Iran of combat UAVs. And it codifies that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran and its proxies from acquiring UAVs that can be used in attacks against the U.S. and our partners. With this legislation, Congress is telling the world that the U.S. will use every tool to cut off Iran's UAV supplies and that we will punish those who continue to supply Iran with UAVs and parts despite their destructive impact. Iran has long demonstrated its commitment to destabilizing the Middle East with its malign activities, but we are committed to countering Iran's attacks and keeping our partners safe. We will continue to adapt to this UAV threat. That includes robust sanctions enforcement against Iran's UAV program and proliferation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. In closing, Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism that oppresses its own people and poses a grave threat to the U.S. and our allies in the Middle East, and the Iranian regime is using drones to expand that threat. Just last month retiring CENTCOM Commander General McKenzie told Congress that he was very concerned about the remarkable growth in number and efficiency of Iran's UAV program and long-range drones. We have a responsibility to our men and women in uniform to do everything we can to counter Iran's dangerous UAVs. I am pleased we are taking this step today to clarify our sanctions laws and make it clear that they cover Iran's drones. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that we can continue the long history of bipartisan cooperation to respond to Iran's threats, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as we speak, millions of women and children are on the brink of starvation around the world. An estimated 3.1 million children perish every year due to malnutrition. In fact, almost half of the deaths among children under the age of 5 are linked to malnutrition, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. In the 21st century this tragedy should be prevented. This bipartisan bill will support efforts to scale up targeted and effective nutrition programs in countries most at risk for severe malnutrition. That will help us have a real impact on people's lives around the world. Fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the administration's chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan have compounded global humanitarian crises. Coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever we must do everything we can to advance lifesaving nutrition programs, and that starts with a strong and effective USAID who has the tools it needs to ensure no child dies from malnutrition. Every parent wants to be able to put food on the table, nourish their families, and provide for themselves. Support for low-cost, effective nutrition interventions mean an investment in the health, development, and productivity of the next generation of children, and I urge my colleagues to support this important measure. In closing, Mr. Speaker, in addition to the crises in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia, the COVID-19 pandemic has erased years of progress towards ending extreme poverty. It has pushed more people into severe food insecurity and malnutrition and has destabilized fragile states. This legislation will help us reclaim lost ground in the battle against hunger and malnutrition. USAID plays a pivotal role in helping nations across the globe combat hunger and poverty. The agency, alongside our NGO and private-sector partners, has helped secure nutrition stability for expectant mothers and young children along with countless others in need, but more must be done to truly end starvation. I want to thank members of the advocacy community, especially Bread for the World and RESULTS, for their continued support of this legislative effort. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful we can continue the long history of bipartisan cooperation to help those in need around the world, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, we have a continued tragedy and crisis at our border. Since President Biden took office, over 2.2 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at the southern border. In March alone, there were over 220,000 illegal encounters at our border, a 600 percent or so increase since 2020. Madam Speaker, the Biden administration's complete disregard for their obligation to secure our border is having tragic impacts on America and in the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, in fact, today in a briefing on title 42, the Biden administration did not lay out a plan on how they were going to prevent an overwhelming surge at our southern border from lifting of title 42, but instead describe their efforts to increase the number of accommodations, buses, and secret plane flights that have occurred in my district, and they will need to move the mass number of illegals coming into our country. These are reckless, inhumane policies. They need to be stopped. They need to be corrected. And this House--both Republicans and Democrats-- need to stand up for our citizens.