Dean Phillips

Mr. PHILLIPS

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 336, as amended.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 336, calling on the Government of the Russian Federation to provide evidence or to release United States citizen Paul Whelan. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Stevens for her tireless work on behalf of her constituent, Paul Whelan, whom Russia has held hostage as a political prisoner for over 3 years. For more than 1,300 days the Russian Government has put Paul and his family through unimaginable torment: taking away Paul's freedom, threatening his health, and denying him his most basic human rights-- all for the purpose of using an American citizen--a human being--as a political bargaining chip. Paul's treatment at the hands of the Russian Government and its so- called justice system is shocking, but unfortunately, hardly surprising. As we witness the horrors committed by Putin, his enablers, and Russian forces in Ukraine, we are reminded of the lengths that the authoritarian regime in the Kremlin will go to achieve its nefarious objectives. But neither Paul nor any political prisoner is a tool to be used for an end. They are human beings with families who just want to see justice served and see their loved ones home safe and sound. In light of the horrific treatment Paul has endured, I thank our wonderful diplomats in Russia, particularly Ambassador John Sullivan, as well as Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Roger Carstens, working under tremendous pressure from the Russian Government to see that Paul Whelan, Brittney Griner, and other Americans detained in Russia are treated with dignity and that their human rights are respected. Good news today, we are thrilled that in large part due to their work, Trevor Reed is now on his way home. We cannot stop until Paul's family and other families with Americans detained overseas are given that same relief. These families work tirelessly to remind us that we cannot stop pushing--they deserve that same level of dedication from all of us. H. Res. 336, calling on the Government of the Russian Federation to provide evidence or to release United States citizen Paul Whelan, takes another step toward securing that safe and swift release of American citizens from unjust detention abroad. Mr. Speaker, I support this important resolution and thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for introducing it. I urge all Members to vote in support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens).

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. I also thank my dear friend and colleague from South Carolina for delivering to me a Ukraine-United States solidarity pin that I now wear proudly on my lapel. Freedom is at the core of our American values. It is the backbone of democracy. We have Americans stuck in Russia and around the world being held against their will and without explanation to be used as political bargaining chips. During this time of horrific atrocities, their safe and secure release is all the more imperative. H. Res. 336 takes action to secure the safety of our fellow Americans, including Brittany Griner and Paul Whelan, who are at the mercy of Vladimir Putin, an evil dictator who has no regard for human life. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7314) to require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report on the People's Republic of China's support to the Russian Federation with respect to its unprovoked invasion of and full- scale war against Ukraine, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7314, the AXIS Act, authored by our committee colleague, Representative Andy Barr. The world watched in horror as Russia launched its latest invasion of Ukraine, marking an egregious violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and a disdain for the rules-based international order. Russia has mercilessly killed thousands of innocent civilians. Graphic images of death and destruction from Bucha and Mariupol lay bare: There is no defense for Putin's barbarity. Amid this carnage, the international community has overwhelmingly come together to condemn Russia's brutal, unprovoked aggression against Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for the gross atrocities being committed. While China has tried to distance itself from Russia's war of choice against Ukraine, it has, at best, remained neutral in the face of this violence, demonstrating a woeful abdication of its self-proclaimed role as a responsible stakeholder. Worse, growing signs indicate China is aligning itself more closely with Russia. Just before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Putin and Chairman Xi released a joint statement calling for closer strategic cooperation. While China has publicly denied any foreknowledge of the invasion, it discounted and ignored American intelligence showing Russian buildup around Ukraine. At no point since the invasion began has China condemned Russia for its invasion nor for its subsequent human rights atrocities. The PRC has chosen to employ a disinformation campaign to spread harmful narratives about Russia's assault on Ukraine. Both within China and abroad, the PRC is promoting Russian propaganda about the war and echoing Russian's absurd justifications for the invasion, going so far as accusing the United States for Russia's one-sided aggression. President Biden has warned China that there will be consequences if it decides to materially support Russia's war or helps it skirt U.S. export controls and sanctions. H.R. 7314 would require the Secretary of State to report on any efforts made by the PRC to support Russia's unprovoked, unjust, and illegal invasion of Ukraine. This bipartisan measure is vital to ensure Congress and the American people stay informed about how, if at all, China might be supporting Russia in Ukraine. Mr. Speaker, I support swift passage of this timely and urgent bill, I urge my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to China and Russia, I do not trust empty words; I verify. H.R. 7314, the AXIS Act, will help Congress and the American people stay informed about how, if at all, China might be supporting Russia in its unprovoked, unjust, and illegal invasion of Ukraine. It is of the utmost importance for this body and the world to understand whether China is complicit in the gross atrocities and war crimes being committed against the Ukrainian people. Doing so will allow us to adjust our strategies and policies as necessary to further isolate Russia and deepen support for the Ukrainian people. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7372, the Protecting Semiconductor Supply Chain Materials from Authoritarians Act. The pandemic has exposed how intricate, how fragile, and how globalized supply chains are in 2022. Many of the products our families know and use every day, whether it is our cars, our computers, our smartphones, or our refrigerators, are the products of complex components assembled all around the globe. Semiconductors are a prime example, as they power just about every electronic device in existence. America is the global leader in semiconductors because our semiconductor design companies are the global leaders. No country is capable of making advanced semiconductors without American innovation and know-how. But we are also reliant on other nations that are a part of the semiconductor supply chain. Ukraine and Russia are crucial providers of important compounds and elements that are necessary for their production, including palladium, neon gas, helium, and C4F6. Without these gases, many types of semiconductors cannot be produced. Most chip-making companies had a little extra supply of these products before Putin started his immoral, unjustifiable invasion, but these stores are quickly dwindling. This bill directs the President to quickly address this problem and forces the administration to work with our allies and partners to ramp up production of these key elements and compounds. It also asks the administration to look ahead to future geopolitical threats and analyze how we can prepare for potential instability down the road. I thank Representative Titus for her work on this important bill and for working in a bipartisan way with Representative Meijer. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this valuable legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. H.R. 7372 is important legislation that will take practical steps to solve supply chain problems that would affect all Americans in a bipartisan way. This is exactly the type of work we were elected to do. I applaud the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Meijer) for their work on the Protecting Semiconductor Supply Chain Materials from Authoritarians Act. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS

Mr. PHILLIPS. 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 H.R. 496, as amended.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 496, the Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act, and thank my committee colleague and friend, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), for introducing it. As we speak here in this Chamber, Russian forces are ravaging Ukrainian cities and towns. They are committing unspeakable atrocities and war crimes against innocent civilians and continuing to wage an unprovoked and unjustified war. The world cannot and will not overlook or forget Russia's heinous acts of aggression, nor the war crimes and other human rights violations it is committing. But, sadly, Russia's human rights violations against Ukrainian civilians and on sovereign Ukrainian territory started well before February of this year. Ever since Russia illegally attempted to annex Crimea and backed the separatists in the Donbas region, Russia and Russian-backed forces, as well as the so-called authorities in those regions, have demonstrated a complete disregard for human rights, including the rights of Ukrainians and others to practice their religions freely. That is why H.R. 496 is so critically important. We must hold accountable those Russians and Russian-backed individuals responsible for committing severe violations of religious freedom on Ukrainian sovereign territory. Not only must we ensure that it is held accountable for the daily human rights violations that characterize its illegal war in Ukraine, but also for those committed long before this latest invasion. Given that the U.S. may take actions, including by withdrawing development assistance, against countries who defy religious freedoms protected under U.S. Federal law, H.R. 496 directs the President to include Russia-controlled areas and groups when determining concern for religious freedoms and funding eligibility for Russia. Mr. Speaker, I support this important legislation and thank the gentleman from South Carolina once again for introducing it. I urge all Members to vote in support, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, April 20, 2022. Hon. Gregory Meeks, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Meeks: This letter is to advise you that the Committee on the Judiciary has now had an opportunity to review the provisions in H.R. 496, the ``Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act,'' that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. I appreciate your consulting with us on those provisions. The Judiciary Committee has no objection to your including them in the bill for consideration on the House floor, and to expedite that consideration is willing to forgo action on H.R. 496, with the understanding that we do not thereby waive any future jurisdictional claim over those provisions or their subject matters. In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar legislation is convened, the Judiciary Committee reserves the right to request an appropriate number of conferees to address any concerns with these or similar provisions that may arise in conference. Please place this letter into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our committees. Sincerely, Jerrold Nadler, Chairman.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. I thank my friend and colleague from South Carolina. He is a gentleman and a champion of religious freedoms around the world. This is an example of what this institution, and we Americans can do together when we find common ground and set our minds to it in the face of such aggression and risk around the world. Putin's flagrant violations of the basic human rights of Ukrainian civilians on Ukraine's sovereign territory are disturbing, and they are unacceptable. Freedom of religion is a moral imperative that the United States must continue to strive to defend as we support the people of Ukraine through these incredibly trying and horrific times. This is personal to me. My own family fled Russian persecution during the pogroms of the late 19th century to come to this extraordinary country. Little could they have imagined that I would be standing here with you, my friend from South Carolina, talking about religious freedoms and doing everything we can as a country to preserve and protect those all around the world. That is what it means to be an American, not just here, but all around the world. We must take action where we can, including by ensuring that the President considers all regions where Russian influence is determining future development funding for the Nation. I trust my colleagues will join me in supporting this terribly important bill to defend these freedoms all around the world. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6930) to authorize the confiscation of assets subject to United States jurisdiction of certain foreign persons, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6930, as amended.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6930, the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act, as amended. Mr. Speaker, we have long known the Russian oligarch class is an important pillar of President Putin's brutal and corrupt regime. These Russian oligarchs have been able to enrich themselves and use their wealth to consolidate power within their country and increase their influence abroad. As President Putin continues in his unjustified and premeditated full-scale invasion into Ukraine, the United States must do all that it can to identify and sanction his cronies bankrolling this brutality. The Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act, as amended, takes an important step in this direction. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the President should confiscate property subject to U.S. jurisdiction worth over $2 million belonging to Russian energy companies or Russian oligarchs whose wealth is derived from corruption or by support of President Putin. It expresses the sense that such property should be held, used, administered, liquidated, or sold, and that any funds gained from such sale should be used to benefit the Ukrainian people. Furthermore, this legislation would also create an interagency working group to determine the proper constitutional mechanisms through which this could be achieved. The luxury villas and fancy yachts and private airplanes of Putin and his cronies are tainted with the blood of the Ukrainian people. Their corrupt assets should be seized and should be used to rebuild Ukraine. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, the Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act, as amended, sends a statement to Vladimir Putin and his cronies that the U.S. Congress will make sure the United States is not a safe haven for their corrupt assets. The legislation makes it clear that the President should take measures to seize and confiscate their assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction and use the proceeds from such sales to help the Ukrainian people, all while protecting and preserving the rights enshrined in our Constitution. I thank Representative Malinowski for authoring the bill, and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.