Nathaniel Moran

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the eve of her retirement to honor Chairwoman Kay Granger for her many years of dedicated work on behalf of Texans everywhere and our entire country. For nearly three decades, Chairwoman Granger has tirelessly served the 12th Congressional District of Texas. For many of us, she has been a valued mentor, and, more importantly, a respected friend. As the most senior member of the Texas Republican delegation, her experience, wisdom, and leadership have been a valuable resource. In fact, they have been invaluable. Chairwoman Granger has been a true trailblazer, and her legacy will not be soon forgotten. Her time in public service has been marked by many firsts. She served as the first female mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican Congresswoman from Texas, and the first female Republican to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Over the years, Chairwoman Granger has left a lasting impact on the Dallas/Fort Worth area, our great State of Texas, and our Nation as a whole. She has worked tirelessly to advocate for her constituents and to advance policies and improve the lives of both Texans and Americans everywhere. She has successfully secured funding for many worthy local funding projects in Fort Worth, increased local and national defense spending to protect the American people, and kept a close eye on overall Federal spending. Her contributions to preserving our national security and supporting economic growth will not soon be forgotten. Chairwoman Granger, thank you for setting the standard in our mission to represent the great people of Texas. Your leadership is a testament to the strength of the Texas spirit, and your work will have a lasting impact for generations to come. We have truly been blessed by your leadership, dedication, and service, but, most of all, your friendship. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a devoted servant of the Lord and Savior, my pastor and friend, Chris Legg, of South Spring Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. I have known Pastor Legg now for almost a decade. He is a dedicated, authentic, and humble shepherd of the flock entrusted to him, and he is one of the most insightful teachers of Scripture I have ever encountered. Every Sunday through his teaching, I am challenged to more closely align my heart and my actions with the righteousness of the living God. Committed to discipleship, Pastor Legg understands that we are all ministers of the Gospel, but he also understands that we are all broken people in need of a Savior. If we doubt that, he simply reminds us to look in the mirror. Whether it is from the pulpit at South Spring, at Alethia Family Counseling Center, behind the microphone during his Reconstructed Faith podcast, or simply engaging with everyone he meets, Pastor Legg does his best to point this lost world to a Savior who loves us each unconditionally and who came to bring us eternal life and life more abundantly. It is my great honor to sponsor Pastor Legg, husband to Ginger, father to five, and friend to all, as Guest Chaplain to deliver the opening prayer before the United States House of Representatives. On behalf of east Texas, I thank Chris and Ginger for their lifetime of dedication to the Gospel.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 7198, the Prove It Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation to protect small businesses from the burdens of Federal regulations. I was proud to join Congressman Finstad and Congresswoman Caraveo in introducing this bill and to vote for it in the House Judiciary Committee. This legislation puts teeth into the Regulatory Flexibility Act, which has been discussed today. In 1980, it required Federal agencies to take into consideration the direct and indirect impacts of their regulations on small and family businesses, but it is not being enforced today. Effectively, there is no recourse to those businesses under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, which is why, in more than 75 percent of the cases, these new regulations actually completely ignore that Regulatory Flexibility Act or put a de minimis amount attached to the impact on small businesses. We need teeth to that 1980 Regulatory Flexibility Act, and the Prove It Act will do just that. It will change what has not been done in the past, and it will restore power to small businesses today to push back against new regulations. Today, small businesses pay seven times more per employee than medium-sized businesses to stay compliant with Federal regulations. They don't have the resources to keep pace with the ever-growing burdens imposed by the heavy hand of the government. I am amazed that I am hearing from the opposition words like ``delay,'' ``burden,'' and ``uncertainty'' as it relates to the Federal Government. I am more concerned with the delays, burden, uncertainty, and inadequate resources that exist for small businesses to respond to these new regulations. Federal agencies seem to ignore the reality and harm that these regulations cause, which only further discourages American innovation and small business growth. The Prove It Act empowers small businesses to petition the Small Business Administration to review proposed Federal regulations and gives them the tools to challenge unnecessary regulation imposed upon them, which they do not have today. It brings more accountability and transparency to the work of government agencies and reaffirms our commitment to stand with small business. If we are going to stand on the side of government or small business, I choose to stand on the side of small business. Small businesses are, in fact, the backbone of our economy, and their innovation keeps the spirit of the American Dream alive. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation to support the crucial role small businesses play as drivers of economic growth and job creation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7198, the Prove It Act.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the grand opening of the Lofts at the Grim, in the city of Texarkana. Today marks the completion of the highly anticipated restoration project of the iconic Grim Hotel located in Texas' First Congressional District. This community landmark, originally completed in 1925, has served as a community gathering place for decades, bringing together locals and visitors alike in the spirit of true Texas hospitality. Thanks to the combined efforts of national developer, Cohen-Esrey, and local partner, Premier Texarkana Development, this historic building will once again support the vibrant local community by providing commercial spaces and affordable housing. As a nod to the longstanding significance of the Grim Hotel, historical features of the building have been preserved, such as its grand lobby and the Palm Court Room, while the living spaces have been revitalized with modern amenities. The refurbished Lofts at the Grim will provide comfortable housing for hardworking East Texans, bringing more families into Texarkana's historic district. Ultimately this revitalization project serves as a reminder of the importance of both honoring history and embracing change. I offer my sincere thanks to those who have been a part of this project. I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact that the Lofts at the Grim will have on the surrounding community and Texas' First Congressional District as a whole.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Smith County Medical Society Alliance, an organization that has strengthened, supported, and served medical families in and around Tyler, Texas, since 1934. Their dedication to nurturing and encouraging a healthy community has not been overlooked. Over the years, the SCMS Alliance has provided countless educational and supportive opportunities, events, and projects for the citizens of Smith County. The SCMS Alliance has distributed over $1 million in medical student scholarships to students at Tyler Junior College, the University of Texas at Tyler, and UT Tyler School of Medicine. Their Junior Health Ambassadors project focuses on providing physician children with ways they can serve Smith County. The Youth Leadership Council aims to develop leadership skills among local high school students. The SCMS Alliance has also collaborated with TMAA to sponsor book vending machines at elementary schools. Members of the SCMS Alliance are primarily spouses of active and retired physicians, as well as physicians themselves. Physicians and their spouses make significant sacrifices to serve and care for others, and it is a privilege to honor their selflessness. These members use their time impactfully to serve Smith County, offering their support to doctors and doctors' families. And for that, I am once again proud to be an East Texan, where people put others before themselves. I would like to thank President Renee Wright, the SCMS Alliance Board, and all the members of the Smith County Medical Society Alliance for their outstanding work over the years. I am delighted to congratulate the Alliance on 90 years of service to Smith County.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude and admiration as we honor the service and valor of someone who truly embodies Texas spirit, Petty Officer First Class Billy Wayne Machen. Today, we honor his legacy and dedicate a Texas Historical Commission Marker at the Camp Billy Machen Memorial Park. East Texans are tough-minded, kind-hearted, hard-working, selfless, and service-oriented individuals. Petty Officer Machen personified each of these characteristics, as evidenced by his service and sacrifice-- not just for our country, but also for his fellow service members in combat. During the Vietnam war, Petty Officer Machen and his Underwater Demolition Team--a unit that pioneered the creation of the Navy SEALs-- were assigned to the Rung Sat Special Zone, also known as the ``Forest of Assassins.'' Despite the imminent danger he faced as the team's point man, he made the courageous decision to confront enemy forces alone, allowing his comrades to escape safely and unharmed. In spite of being mortally wounded, Petty Officer Machen was rescued by his comrades, Roger Moscone and Nick Benzschawel, and carried more than 500 yards to safety. Through his swift actions and sacrifice, Petty Officer Machen laid the foundation for our Nation's most elite force of fighters by never leaving a teammate behind--a motto that holds as much weight across our military today as it did nearly 60 years ago when he perished in the line of duty. Today, generations after the Founding Fathers sacrificed to preserve our freedom, the spirit and essence of that freedom are defended and embodied by the acts of heroism of our service members. Petty Officer Machen's story is a testament to the enduring spirit of our sovereign Nation. I want to commend all who have played a role in honoring the life and service of Petty Officer First Class Billy Wayne Machen. This commitment to an American hero reflects our shared values in promoting and preserving freedom for generations past, present, and future.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bishop W.C. Martin, pastor of Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Possum Trot, Texas, and his wife, First Lady Donna Martin. Nearly three decades ago, Bishop Martin and his wife, Donna, who already had two biological children, adopted another four, starting a movement of 22 families within the Possum Trot community to adopt or foster children without a home. Mrs. Martin was inspired to adopt after the death of her beloved mother, Murtha, who had raised 18 children. She stated: And the Holy Spirit said, think about those other children out there that do not have what you had with your mother. I was overcome with such warmness, I walked back into the house, picked up the Yellow Pages, and called an adoption agency. That is how it began. It concluded with 77 children finding loving homes in a community that simply decided that they would do what they could and give all that they had for the benefit of the most vulnerable and needy among them. This story has been retold in the recent film, ``Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot,'' which is a story of inspiration for all of us to give more, to love more, and to do more for those around us. I thank Reverend and First Lady Martin for living out their faith and for changing the destinies of so many young lives. They are remarkable.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a true patriot, valued friend, and radio legend from east Texas, Paul Gleiser, who will be inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame's Class of 2024. I have grown to know Paul well, and each interaction leaves me more impressed his with business acumen, dedication to community, love of country, and generous spirit. Paul has served east Texas for more than 30 years, leaving his mark on local news and broadcasting. He has followed his love of radio with unmatched passion and professionalism. Everything he does is with excellence. Many east Texans recognize his vocal call, ``On this day in history . . .'' Many more closely follow his segments ``You Tell Me Texas'' and ``Constitution Minute.'' Paul has used his platform to reaffirm the truth of our history and the lessons we have learned from it. As the owner of KTBB and KRWR, Paul has devoted years to producing quality, informative, and thought-provoking radio for his listeners. Paul is the past chair of the Texas Association of Broadcasters and a vocal champion to preserve local broadcasting. I know I speak for east Texans everywhere when I congratulate Paul on a job well done.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elbert Henry ``Toughegg'' Knox, a courageous American who gave his life in service to our country during World War II. Elbert Knox first served as an Army cook from 1919 to 1920. In September 1941, at the age of 40, he answered the call again, leaving his home to work as a civilian contract worker on Wake Island in the Pacific Ocean. There, Knox and other civilians built essential facilities for the military, helping to defend the island during a fierce Japanese attack on December 8, 1941. Despite their valiant efforts, Wake Island fell to Japanese forces after a 15-day battle, and Knox became a prisoner of war. Transferred to Japan in September 1942, he faced brutal conditions--enduring abuse, starvation, solitary confinement, and exposure. Knox's resilience was unwavering, but tragically, he died in captivity. After the war, his remains were laid to rest in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. In 1981, Knox and his fellow civilian contractors on Wake Island were granted veteran status. Today, I am proud to report that Mr. Knox has been posthumously awarded the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal and the Purple Heart. These medals will be presented to his family, who have waited decades to see his heroism formally recognized. His story is a powerful reminder of the price of liberty and the strength of the American spirit. I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mr. Elbert Knox and extending our deepest gratitude to his family. May his legacy continue to inspire us all to serve our Nation with honor and dedication, and may we never forget his sacrifice.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Green for yielding. Today, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 1371 introduced by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Each day, the failed policies of this administration become more glaring, and those who implemented the disastrous agenda leading to the current crisis at our border must absolutely be held accountable. Today, I give my strongest support to this resolution to ensure that Vice President Kamala Harris is held responsible for her role in the administration's far-left open-border policies. As border czar, Vice President Harris has overseen the most catastrophic border crisis in our Nation's history. As we all know, the failed policies of the Biden-Harris administration have turned every State in the United States into a border State and led to a record level of illegal immigration, including from individuals on the terrorist watch list. We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. These failed policies are a direct assault on the sovereignty, the security, and the strength of the United States. Under Harris' watch and with her consent and her support, President Biden has issued more than 70 executive orders and policy changes that have brought about this border crisis, something unlike anything we have ever seen in our Nation's history. Illegal immigrants have had free run to abuse our system. Drugs like fentanyl have poured into our communities across our entire country, and individuals with ties to terrorism and to known adversaries of our great Republic have been turned loose inside the United States, including a record level number of Chinese Communist nationals. Because of that, Americans are suffering, and we are in danger. Despite this, Kamala Harris has visited our southern border just once since becoming border czar, and for that reason this resolution is important to hold her accountable for her role in this mess. Mr. Speaker, this resolution is an important part of that accountability, and, as such, I urge passage, and I urge all colleagues to lend it support.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Wilbert C. Martin, pastor of Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Shelby County, Texas, and his wife Donna Martin. Through their efforts to live out their faith and serve others, they brought about the foster or adoption of seventy-seven of the most at-risk children in the Texas foster care system. Nearly three decades ago, Rev. W.C. Martin and his wife Donna, who already had two biological children, adopted another four, starting a movement of twenty-two families within the unincorporated Possum Trot community in East Texas to adopt seventy-seven children. Mrs Martin was inspired to adopt after the death of her beloved mother, Murtha, who had raised eighteen children. She stated, ``And the Holy Spirit said, `Think about those other children out there that do not have what you had with your mother.' I was overcome with such warmness. I walked back into the house, picked up the Yellow Pages and called an adoption agency.'' The story of the Martins and the Bennett Chapel Baptist Missionary Association Church community has been retold in the recent film Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot, which dramatizes their unbreakable faith and generosity for these children. Their story is an inspiration for all of us to give and love more, especially for the most vulnerable.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the House for passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act led by fellow Texan Representative Chip Roy. Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution establishes Congress' role in Federal elections. While it is limited in this role, Congress does have an obligation to ensure that only citizens vote in Federal elections. Today, this legislation is more critical than ever. Preservation of our Republic necessitates free, fair, and honest elections. As I have said a number of times as county judge in Texas, what we need are SALTY elections--secure, accurate, legal, transparent elections--with you, the American citizen, involved every step of the way. Right now, in America, there is growing distrust in election results because of growing abuses and documented instances of election fraud. Yet, there are continuing efforts to allow illegal immigrants to participate in our Federal elections when it is already against the law. This is incomprehensible to me. The SAVE Act makes commonsense reforms to preserve integrity in our elections by requiring proof of citizenship when individuals register to vote, and it will remove noncitizens from voter rolls. By passing the SAVE Act, the House has taken an important step to ensure every single American vote counts with full measure. I applaud Congressman Roy for bringing this action.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 165 introduced by Congresswoman Miller. It is disheartening that there is even a need for this legislation, but it is needed because President Biden has led a crusade against biological reality and common sense. This new Title IX rule erodes underlying protections for women and girls. As a father of two young ladies, I can tell you that I am devastated and appalled by the action of the Department of Education. Title IX was written to protect women by ensuring equal opportunities for young women and girls in educational programs. However, this new rule, promoted by radical ideologies, shatters it by redefining ``sex'' to include sexual orientation and gender identity. By redefining ``sex'' under Title IX, the administration will effectively allow biological males into female-only spaces, including locker rooms and bathrooms. Additionally, this Biden rule will impact women's sports as the final rule does not create any carve-out for women's athletics. Under this rule, local school districts will be required to allow biological men to compete in women's sports or risk losing their funding. Contrary to the administration's new rule, this resolution today guarantees a level playing field to uphold athletics' core principles of integrity and fairness, and it reaffirms that boys will be boys and girls will be girls. Democrats are weaponizing the Department of Education by blurring the lines between men and women, and this new rule blatantly disregards common sense and the natural laws of this world and, frankly, of God, putting women and girls at a disadvantage and a risk. It is vital that we pass this Congressional Review Act to uphold the original intent of Title IX. We must vote to protect our girls and our women in support of this resolution and dismantle the left's radical ideology and undo this nonsensical rule by the Department of Education. We must pass this resolution.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mark Scirto, a trusted and beloved figure in the east Texas community. As a meteorologist for KLTV since 1987, Mark has worked hard to provide accurate and timely weather forecasts for our region. Mark is a steady voice in times of trouble, a calming guide in the midst of storms, and a bright smile and hearty laugh when the days get tough. Whether it was a tornado, thunderstorms, or beautiful days between, Texans knew that they could count on Mark. We know his words by heart: Get to a small, windowless, interior room. We did just that when he told us to do so. Mark Scirto's journey with KLTV began in 1987. He was nominated for a Dallas Press Club Katie Award, an honor no other meteorologist in east Texas has ever received. Mark has also held the seals of approval from the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society since 1989. He gave everything of himself for the rest of us, and we are grateful. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Mark Scirto for his remarkable career and his dedication to our community. His legacy will live on, and his presence in our homes will be missed. We wish him all the best.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate my friend Dr. Kirk Calhoun on the announcement of his retirement. Dr. Calhoun has proudly served as the president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler since 2002 and as the president of the University of Texas at Tyler since 2020, making him the longest serving active president in the UT system. Dr. Calhoun's leadership has led the UT Tyler system through tremendous growth and unification. Throughout his 22 years of public service, the institutions under his leadership have seen exponential growth, historic levels of giving to the community, and the launch of the first medical school in East Texas. He has helped to expand academic research programs, forge partnerships with the community colleges, increase student scholarship offerings, and develop a strategic plan for integrating the health and academic enterprises of our UT system. Dr. Calhoun leaves behind a legacy of excellence and service in our community. He is a hallmark in promoting collaboration and increasing educational opportunities. This milestone is a testament to his dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the East Texas medical and academic communities. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Dr. Calhoun on 22 years. He will be missed but not forgotten.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. 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. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6603, the No Technology for Terror Act, and thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Moskowitz) for their support in co-leading this important bipartisan legislation. This bill would codify recently expanded export control sanctions on Iran, restricting their ability to manufacture missiles and drones using U.S. material and technology. This weekend, Iran unleashed an unprecedented direct attack on Israel, launching over 350 missiles and drones. Thankfully, 99 percent of these were intercepted by Israel, the United States, and other partners. Were it not for our incredible, capable militaries, this could have been an absolute catastrophe. Iran has the largest missile arsenal in the Middle East, and it is increasingly supplying malign actors around the world with missiles and drones as a merchant of death. Iran's weapons are spreading death and destruction around the world. The Iran-backed Houthis use drones to fuel their attacks on global ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Iran's proxies in Iraq and Syria have launched over 170 attacks on U.S. troops in the last 6 months. Iran-backed Hezbollah is aggressively firing on Israel's northern border. Russia uses these weapons to target civilians and civilian infrastructure in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. In fact, reports have found that components recovered in the Iranian-made drones used against the people of Ukraine have included more than 50 American-made components. Other reports have found that out of roughly 500 components identified in a recovered Iranian drone, 82 percent were manufactured by United States companies. These reports are backed by a June 2023 report released by the State Department where they acknowledged that Iran relies on foreign procurement and that Iran even prefers American-made sourcing to manufacture its lethal weapons. This is unacceptable. Urgent action is needed to combat Iran's longstanding missile and drone proliferation. That includes doing more to prevent them from accessing and benefiting from U.S. parts and technology. In addition to robust sanctions enforcement to cut off its key sources of financial and military support to proxies like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas, we must make full use of our export controls to limit the export or re-export of U.S. goods and technology to Iran. The No Technology for Terror Act will do just that. The limitations set forth in my bill would make it harder for Iran to produce missiles and drones that are used against American troops and our allies and will make it more difficult to transfer these weapons to Russia and other proxies. American equipment, technology, and other know-how under no circumstance should be transferred to Iran. The Iranian regime is relentlessly evil and seeks to become the superpower in the Middle East, which means eliminating America and its allies at all costs. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill as it extends the foreign-direct product rule to Iran, which restricts the re-export or transfer of U.S.-originated items from one foreign country to Iran. Iran and its terrorist proxies continue to sow instability on a global scale. We must take urgent action to restrict Iran's access to technology that it uses to manufacture lethal missiles and drones. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, first, I thank the ranking member for his support and his work on this bill as well. Mr. Speaker, we must continue to work together to do all that we can to address Iran's ongoing proliferation of lethal drones and missiles. From Israel to Ukraine, we see the devastating impacts of failing to do so. In order to safeguard our national security and innocent civilians around the world, we need to make sure that U.S.-origin goods are not helping Iran manufacture deadly weapons. That is what this bill, the No Technology for Terror Act, does. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, H.R. 6603, the No Technology for Terror Act, to stop supplying goods to Iran that are used against us. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5917) to amend the Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act to modify and extend that Act, and for other purposes.

Mr. MORAN. 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. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. Gallagher, for introducing this important bipartisan legislation to address ongoing atrocities committed by Hamas and other Iran-backed terrorist organizations. For years, it has been well documented how terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad use civilians as human shields in conflict. Hezbollah terrorists are systematically embedded in civilian areas and population centers throughout Lebanon. Hezbollah has embedded hundreds of arms depots, thousands of terrorists, and tens of thousands of rockets throughout densely populated southern Lebanon, and Hamas' utter disregard for human life has been made plain for all to see since October 7. After murdering 1,200 people on October 7, 2023, and taking 240 hostages, they have prevented innocent Palestinians from fleeing conflict zones and repeatedly rejected proposals that would bring a pause to the fighting in Gaza. These terrorists do not care about innocent civilian lives. They know exactly what they are doing when they use a hospital as military headquarters and stockpile weapons in schools. Terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have no regard for the lives of the innocent women and children they place in harm's way by co-locating civilian and military targets. Every civilian that is harmed in this war is harmed as a result of Hamas' actions. As Israel defends itself against the threat of Hamas and other Iran-backed terrorist groups, we must address the urgent issue of terrorist organizations using civilian shields immediately. Congress must stand against these brutal practices and strengthen their ability to hold these terrorists accountable for their crimes. The 2018 Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act established a strong framework for holding Hamas and other terrorist organizations accountable. This legislation today would reauthorize the 2018 law through the year 2030 and add Palestinian Islamic Jihad as a covered entity. It also establishes new tools to ensure that those who use human shields are held accountable. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, March 20, 2024. Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: I write regarding H.R. 5917, the Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields 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 or insert this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 5917 on the House floor. 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. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Gallagher), the author of this bill.

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his support. This is a really important bipartisan piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, we must continue to do all that we can to address the crimes committed by Hamas and other Iran-backed terrorist groups. The use of civilians as human shields in conflict is abhorrent and immoral. Congress must do everything in its power to hold Hamas and other terrorist groups accountable for these crimes. We have a responsibility to protect innocent civilians around the world who are used as human shields. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. MORAN

Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4681) to provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to illicit captagon trafficking, as amended.