Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, the Cuban people can finally close one chapter in their 57-year nightmare of oppressive rule: Fidel Castro has died. When I was just 8 years old, I was forced to flee my native homeland of Cuba with my family. We were not the first, nor were we the last, to leave all that we had behind in search of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and safety. Many constituents I am so humbled to represent have had family members who did not survive their journey, yet they all risked their lives in fleeing Cuba because they felt the brutality of Fidel Castro. They witnessed firsthand the ruthlessness of the tyrant, and they felt that it was like having their human rights stripped from their very being. Their stories and their experiences--the firing squads, the gulags, and the torture--Mr. Speaker, will be Fidel Castro's legacy.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, despite some modest revisions in Colombia's new deal with the FARC, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, this is still a sweetheart deal for these narcoguerrillas. Under this deal, FARC members will still be allowed to run for public office; and I worry that while in office, FARC officials will undermine the progress made in Colombia. We have already seen a significant increase in drug trafficking from Colombia since negotiations with the FARC began, and there should be no doubt that the FARC, one of the largest narcoterrorist groups in the world, is responsible for this increase. What kind of increase in drug trafficking should we expect if these narcoterrorists are given even more power and more influence in Colombia's government? Mr. Speaker, the Colombian people rejected the prior FARC agreement, and I believe that their concerns must be addressed before any revised agreement is finalized. President Santos will be here in Washington to meet with Members of Congress tomorrow, and I hope he addresses our concerns.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and my good friend, the ranking member, for bringing forth this important bill to the floor before us today. I rise in strong support of this bill, H.R. 5732, the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, a bill of which I am proud to be an original cosponsor. And I want to thank again our wonderful chairman and esteemed ranking member for always working together in a strong bipartisan manner to bring important issues to the House floor. This bill is no exception. Often lost in the debate on the fight against ISIS or the future of Syria is the humanitarian crisis that has resulted from this conflict that is now in its sixth year with no end in sight. These numbers are horrific. You heard Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel speak of them: hundreds of thousands dead, millions that have fled their homes, and millions more who are in desperate need of assistance. Yet the Assad regime and its patrons in Iran and Russia continue to bring pain and suffering to the people of Syria. What is worse is they continue to deny humanitarian assistance to parts of the country. Actions need to be taken, Mr. Speaker, against Assad and his regime, and they need to be taken against those who are providing materiel support to Assad that allows this horrific conflict to continue. Accountability is imperative, and that is what this bill aims to do. Mr. Speaker, this bill builds upon a bill that I authored in 2012 which became law: the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act. It expands the sanctions currently on the books, and it gives the administration the tools to go after those who are responsible for this humanitarian crisis and the ongoing suffering of the people of Syria. I was so pleased to work with Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel to include amendments that I authored into this bill that would determine that denying or hindering access to humanitarian aid is, indeed, a serious human rights violation and, as such, would allow the administration to sanction any individual responsible for doing so. The United Nations Security Council has already passed several resolutions to allow for direct and free access to humanitarian aid. But, Mr. Speaker, as reported in a recent GAO review that I commissioned alongside our esteemed Foreign Affairs colleagues, Congressman Ted Deutch, Ron DeSantis, and Gerry Connolly, the Assad regime, between the years 2015 and earlier this year, has denied 100 of the 113 requests from the United Nations to deliver humanitarian aid. This is unconscionable. This must be put to an end immediately. This step, therefore, Mr. Speaker, is a step in that correct direction to bring accountability to Assad and the supporters of this evil regime for the atrocities they have committed or are complicit in. I would urge my colleagues to support this important measure before us, and I would urge the administration to lend its strong support for this bill and use this legislation as an opportunity to fully and vigorously enforce these sanctions in an attempt to put an end to one of the greatest humanitarian tragedies in a generation. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Royce and Mr. Engel.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. As always, I thank our esteemed chairman for those wonderful and kind words, and I thank our terrific friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), the ranking member. I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for continuing to be great examples of the bipartisan cooperation of which we need so much in this Congress, and I thank the gentlemen for their leadership in bringing this important bill to the floor this afternoon. Mr. Speaker, this has been a priority for the United States Congress but especially to members of our Foreign Affairs Committee, and it has been an issue on which I have worked extensively--and I thank the chairman for his words--alongside so many of my colleagues for over two decades. In 2006, as the chairman pointed out, I authored a bill that expanded sanctions on Iran and that extended the Iran Sanctions Act through 2011. In 2010, I worked with then-Foreign Affairs Chairman Howard Berman on yet another comprehensive Iran sanctions bill, which also extended the Iran Sanctions Act through the end of this year. Today, I am so pleased and honored to support Chairman Royce's effort, guided by Mr. Engel's as well, to extend the Iran Sanctions Act for another 10 years, which will keep the foundation of sanctions against Iran in place for when Iran violates the nuclear deal. I believe that those violations have already taken place. Earlier this year, we already saw the administration buy heavy water from Iran. Why? Because Iran was producing more heavy water than it was allowed to under the terms of the agreement. Just a few days ago, it was announced that Iran was, once again, over the allowable total of heavy water. We have also found out that there have been secret exemptions for Iran and that, without these exemptions, Iran would not have been in compliance with the JCPOA, which is the initials of the nuclear deal, before the deal went to Implementation Day. That is why, Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely vital that we pass Mr. Royce and Mr. Engel's bill--that we extend these sanctions and that we keep the foundation of our sanctions against Iran in place. We need to keep the regime accountable for its violations of its nuclear deal and for its continued illicit activity. There is absolutely no justification at all for allowing these sanctions to lapse. In fact, everything we have witnessed from the regime this year is a clear indication that we need to be looking at ensuring that all sanctions against Iran are fully and vigorously enforced and even expanded. I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to wish my good friend Camilo Fernandez a warm and happy 90th birthday. Like so many Cubans before and after him, Camilo was forced to leave Cuba, his native homeland, because of his deep opposition to the Castro regime. Shortly after arriving in this wonderful country, his new homeland, America, eventually settling in New Jersey, Camilo rose to become a successful businessman and a civil society leader. His legacy of extraordinary perseverance and commitment to those left behind on the island continues to be an inspiration to the thousands of Cubans still in exile today, but he also remains a beacon of hope for a Cuba that will one day be free of the tyranny of the Communist Castro regime. I congratulate my friend Camilo Fernandez on his 90th birthday and vow to continue working together for the establishment of a free and democratic Cuba and with respect for the human rights of all of the people of Cuba.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in recognition of Mitchell Kaplan, a gentleman who has contributed so much to our south Florida community. Born in Miami, Mitch began his career as a high school English teacher. He went on to open Books & Books, an extraordinary bookstore located in my congressional district that has now expanded throughout south Florida and even the Cayman Islands. As time passed, Mitch organized many community events and local book fairs, growing larger and larger by the year. Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padron worked with Mitch to create the Miami Book Fair International, a world-renowned book fair that is taking place right now in my congressional district in downtown Miami. Mr. Speaker, Mitch Kaplan is an inspiration to Floridians and for people across the Nation. Thank you, Mitch, for your tireless work and dedication to all of us book lovers everywhere.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, my community in south Florida will be dressing in pink and hosting a myriad of activities to support the millions of women and men who have been afflicted by this terrible disease. With our combined efforts to educate and encourage early detection, we can save lives. A celebration of survivorship, Strides of Miami-Dade, put together by the American Cancer Society, is working toward groundbreaking research and patient services. This wonderful event will be taking place at the Miami Marlins Park on October 8. The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation will also be hosting its annual Kick Event for Breast Cancer on October 13, and that will help advance breast cancer treatment and lab research. Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone in south Florida to participate in these events around our community to support those who are fighting this disease, to honor victims, and to reminisce about those whom we have lost to breast cancer. Let us make sure that we can redouble our efforts to defeat this terrible disease and continue at full force in order to do it.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the text of the resolution at the desk.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the preamble at the desk.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Affairs be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 851) expressing profound concern about the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, urging the release of political prisoners, and calling for respect of constitutional and democratic processes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Monday, September 26, the Village of Palmetto Bay, a municipality located in my lovely congressional district, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its Veterans Park, a park solely dedicated to honor the brave men and women who have proudly served our wonderful Nation. It was a collaboration of a south Florida business, local officials, and the American Legion Marlin Moore Post 133 who joined together in support of this noble cause and made this park a reality. The Miami-Dade Military Affairs Board and other veterans affairs groups will assist the Village of Palmetto Bay in filling the park with memorials and historical data to honor veterans from every conflict in which our great Nation has participated in order to protect our freedoms. Residents and visitors alike will be able to learn and reflect on the sacrifices that so many courageous servicemembers have made and continue to make to this day. Congratulations to the Village of Palmetto Bay.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, Colombians in my Congressional District will go to the polls to vote on the Colombia- FARC deal, deciding whether to hold the narco-terrorist organization known as the FARC accountable for its innumerable crimes committed over more than 50 years. Yet, in a deal brokered by the duplicitous Castro regime, the FARC members may soon get off scot-free--no jail time and no compensation to the family members of their victims. FARC members will even be allowed to run for office. Good grief. This is a bad deal, Mr. Speaker, and it should not be financed by American taxpayers. The only things the FARC and its criminal backers in Havana are interested in are more opportunities to continue running drugs, lining their pockets, and destabilizing Latin America. Colombians in my district can vote on the deal in either Coral Gables, Hialeah, or Kendall, as well as many other places surrounding Miami. For more information on voting locations, they can contact the Colombian consulate in Miami.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, this week, world leaders are gathering in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, and throughout this whole process we are reminded yet again of just how broken the U.N. system really is. Nowhere is this more evident than at the U.N. Human Rights Council. What a misnomer. This body that is supposed to promote and defend human rights worldwide has become a tool used by human rights abusers. And the office that provides support to the Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR, is no better, as it is overrun with an anti-Israel bias and an anti-Israel agenda. We see this play out each time the Council meets for its Bash Israel Day--yippee--a day dedicated to permanent Agenda Item 7, the only agenda item of the Council devoted to a single country, Israel. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Council. In those 10 years, Mr. Speaker, there have been over 70 resolutions condemning Israel and about 65 resolutions for all of the other countries combined. Seventy on Israel, 65 for every other country. Countries like China, Russia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Cuba use the Council as a way to detract attention from their abuses and play upon the natural anti-Israel bias at the Council and the OHCHR. So tomorrow, when the Council meets to discuss Agenda Item 7, it will be another Bash Israel Day that the administration failed to prevent. It will be another example of how this administration's influence fails to protect our friend and ally, the democratic Jewish State of Israel. Instead of continuing to legitimize this sham of a body, Congress must withhold all contributions and participation at the Council and to the OHCHR, and call for the dissolution of the Council. The administration must press the High Commissioner to denounce Agenda Item 7 and work against the inherent anti-Israel bias of the Council and the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights. Earlier this year, Canadian Professor Michael Lynk was appointed as the Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, despite his obvious bias and conflicts of interest, which we now know he lied about in his paperwork. This selection was so egregious that Canada's Foreign Minister from Professor Lynk's home country urged the U.N. to reconsider his appointment. The administration should echo those calls, but, instead, it has been silent. The administration should also lead an opposition to the upcoming reelection next week of Jean Ziegler as an adviser to the Council. Ziegler is a notorious puppet of the Castro regime and an avowed defender of dictators and apologists for Islamic extremist groups and had no business being elected the first time around, let alone being reelected. The Obama administration had an opportunity to block his candidacy while serving as the coordinator for the Western European and Others Group this year at the Council, but failed to do so; and now it looks as if Ziegler's reelection is a done deal, thanks to the administration's failure to act. The administration, Mr. Speaker, continues to argue that only by being engaged and only by being full members of the U.N. can it advance our interests and protect Israel. Yet, next month, UNESCO is set to adopt a resolution that seeks to whitewash the Jewish and Christian religious and historical ties to Jerusalem. And while we might not be voting members of the full UNESCO body, this administration is an active member of UNESCO's executive committee, where this resolution was first approved. Where was our influence then? We can't even prevent a resolution that wipes away Jewish and Christian ties to Jerusalem, despite these being historical facts. It is very apparent that either the administration has no influence at the U.N. or the administration has no desire to upset the entrenched and damaged status quo. That is why it is up to Congress, Mr. Speaker, to force the change at the U.N. I urge all of my colleagues to take a long, hard look at the Human Rights Council as a representation of all that is wrong and bad with the U.N., and to make reforming the U.N. a priority going forward. It will be up to us.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 25th anniversary of one of Florida's most beautiful communities, the Village of Key Biscayne. Incorporated in 1991, this majestic barrier island paradise is located between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay and is centered between two beautiful parks to the north and the south. Although small in size, the Village of Key Biscayne is a proud, tight-knit community of islanders filled with a mix of longtime locals, business leaders, professionals, as well as international visitors and residents. In celebration of its founding, the city and its residents, or key rats as they like to call themselves, will join together this Saturday, September 24, for the anniversary gala. I am truly honored to represent this south Florida treasure, and ask my congressional colleagues to join me in congratulating the Village of Key Biscayne residents on this momentous occasion. The Village of Key Biscayne, island paradise, indeed.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the efforts of my former staff member, Janelle Perez, and her partner, Monica Ruiz, in helping the School Liaison Program for Nicklaus Children's Hospital, located in my congressional district. Having both been affected by cancer in different life-altering ways, Janelle and Monica collaborated with the Miami Children's Health Foundation on methods that could have the largest and most profound impact on the lives of so many children who are undergoing treatment at the Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Through Janelle and Monica's passion for children and education, the School Liaison Program was born. The program is designed to provide guidance and advocacy to patients and their families in order to continue academic growth while undergoing clinical treatment. The program aids in recovery by bringing a sense of normalcy and confidence to these children, instilling in them the hope that they will recover and soon return to the normal day-to-day activities they enjoyed before becoming ill. Congratulations to Janelle and Monica for helping sick children through the Nicklaus Children's Hospital School Liaison Program. Commemorating the Miami Childrens Theater on Its 20th Anniversary

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Miami Childrens Theater on its 20th anniversary as an invaluable education center for children and young adults in our south Florida community. I would like to recognize its outstanding leadership team, including their executive producing director and founder, Angela Ardolino. Originally an after-school program at the Coral Gables Youth Center, located in my congressional district, it was Angela's efforts and strategic vision that transformed this prominent center into what it is today. Miami Childrens Theater was the first children's theater in the Nation to be granted rights to the student edition of Les Miserables. More importantly, children and young adults from all over the community are given the opportunity to explore the arts and expand on their creativity both on stage and in classes. It is my honor and privilege to recognize the Miami Childrens Theater and wish all of the members the best as they work toward the next 20 years of service to our south Florida community. Honoring the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida as it celebrates its 45th anniversary. From support groups to case management and medical services, the Epilepsy Foundation offers diverse programs and resources and serves as a pillar of support to the over 400,000 Floridians living with this condition. Mr. Speaker, this neurological disorder is in need of greater public attention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with epilepsy experience health and social disparities, such as a worse health-related quality of life and low socioeconomic status. Organizations like the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida are stepping up to the challenge and informing communities in Florida and across our Nation about these issues, advocating for better public policies and working every day to improve the lives of individuals afflicted with this difficult disease through research and education. Epilepsy can affect anyone, children and adults alike, and it is crucial to inform communities on how to respond in an emergency. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my south Florida community to join and celebrate this wonderful organization at the annual Unmasking Epilepsy Masquerade on October 13 in the Coral Gables Museum, located in my congressional district. Thank you to the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida for all that it continues to do. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor Susan Dean, who will be retiring from this esteemed institution at the end of October, after 19 years of invaluable service to so many women Members who have made their marks in the Halls of Congress. Susan has been in charge of the magnificent Lindy Claiborne Boggs Congressional Women's Reading Room with professionalism, efficiency, and care, while keeping the historical room so immaculately preserved. From changes in leadership, to the enactment of landmark legislation, to the inauguration of the Capitol Visitor Center, to the unveiling of a myriad of statues and portraits and innumerable nights where votes have run past midnight, much has transpired during Susan's tenure in the House. Since I met Susan in 1997, I have heard her recount the magnificence of the Lindy Boggs suite, and it truly never ceases to amaze me. Susan has provided a great service to our constituents by graciously offering them a personalized tour of this hidden gem. The people's House will suffer a great loss with Susan's departure, and she will be deeply missed by her many friends here in this Chamber. Please join me in wishing Susan Dean all the best as she enjoys her first few months of retirement traveling across our country visiting family and friends. Godspeed, Susan Dean, mi amiga.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, lowered the travel warning for Zika in the Wynwood area to a cautionary travel guidance, which is consistent with the rest of the Miami-Dade County mainland. After comprehensive eradication efforts, there is no longer any evidence of active Zika transmissions in the area of Wynwood. Though the situation in Wynwood has improved, the Zika zone has nearly tripled in Miami Beach, however. The CDC has now expanded the active Zika transmission warning zone for Miami Beach to a 4.5-square- mile area covering most of the city. Mr. Speaker, even as we make significant progress in the fight against Zika, the threat remains persistent in south Florida. Congress must fund anti-Zika efforts now with no policy riders and without any more delay. This is an epidemic that we must eliminate once and for all. South Florida families deserve better and they should not have to wait any longer for Federal funding. Let's pass a Zika funding bill now.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Roxcy Bolton, a true pioneer who, at the age of 90, is hailed as a champion of women's rights, as well she should be. It is because of Roxcy's efforts that our Nation gathers each year to celebrate Women's Equality Day. As a brave and outspoken woman, Roxcy made waves on many issues, including the creation of the first rape treatment center in the country located at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. This was at a time when people didn't even want to talk about rape. Roxcy also organized Florida's first crime watch to help curb crime against women. Roxcy was in the front lines fighting on behalf of abused women and created the first women's rescue shelter in our State to provide services to women in crisis. It was because of Roxcy's leadership that residents and visitors in south Florida can learn about the many contributions of women through the creation of The Women's Park of Miami-Dade County, which was correctly renamed after Roxcy Bolton. Roxcy's vision will live on forever. She is an honored constituent, a voice of hope for all women, and I am proud to call her a friend.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, since July 14, 2015, the Iranian regime has conducted four ballistic missile tests with not-so-subtle warnings to our ally and our best friend, the democratic Jewish state of Israel, which its goal was to wipe Israel off the map. Also, since that date, we have learned that there have been side agreements between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA, that were not submitted to Congress for our review. The IAEA released a report on the possible military dimensions, known as PMD, of Iran's nuclear program that proved that Iran lied about its nuclear program in the past and continued to stonewall investigations into outstanding questions that remain; yet, the Iranian nuclear deal, the JCPOA, was allowed to move forward in spite of that. Also, the Obama administration purchased 32 metric tons of heavy water from Iran. What makes this so egregious, Mr. Speaker, is that this purchase was arranged in order to prevent Iran from violating the very terms of the Iranian nuclear deal, the JCPOA. As if that were not bad enough, with the administration reselling the purchased heavy water to domestic and commercial buyers, well, that makes the U.S. a proliferator of Iran nuclear materials, all while legitimizing Iran as a nuclear supplier. Outrageous. Also, Iran has renewed its interest and increased its presence in Latin America and throughout the Western Hemisphere. Iran's Rouhani will be visiting Cuba and Venezuela in the upcoming week. We learned that the administration allowed the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act sanctions against Iran to sit on a desk during the negotiations, despite a legal mandate to provide these reports to Congress every 6 months. That was the law. It was ignored. Also, Russia announced that it has resumed the sale of S-300s to Iran. And just last month, Iran announced that it deployed these S- 300s, Russian surface-to-air missiles, around its Fordow nuclear site to safeguard it from attacks. The administration announced a $1.7 billion settlement on a 35-year dispute with Iran--conveniently the day after sanctions were lifted on its central bank. What a coincidence. And we learned that Iran plans to use this ransom money for its military budget and for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, the Quds Force, meaning the U.S. taxpayers not only are on the hook for a ransom payment to Iran, but we are also subsidizing its nefarious activities. Where has this transparency been? When it comes to Iran and the nuclear deal, the JCPOA, there is an overwhelming sense that we are only beginning to scratch the surface of just how bad this deal really is. We need only to look back at what has happened with North Korea to understand the depth and the breadth of this failed Iranian policy because, as I keep repeating, Mr. Speaker, Iran has been following the North Korea playbook by the page, by the letter. And what have we just witnessed a few days ago? Well, North Korea just conducted its second nuclear detonation since the JCPOA--the Iran nuclear deal--was made, and it is its fifth detonation in the last 10 years. Mr. Speaker, the JCPOA has been a foreign policy disaster already, but the real ramifications are yet to come. Congress must take action. First, we must hold the administration accountable, and we must get the full truth behind the details of this JCPOA--the Iran nuclear deal--and the administration's Iran policy. The supposed most transparent administration in history has been anything but, going out of its way to stonewall and misdirect Congress and our oversight responsibilities on this flawed and dangerous nuclear deal. Second, Mr. Speaker, we must hold Iran accountable, and that means extending sanctions, expanding sanctions, renewing sanctions, and preventing Iran from being able to continue down this dangerous path. These are the actions that we must take in Congress, Mr. Speaker, and I stand ready to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to find the right way forward because Iran has not changed its stripes.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the repressive actions and human rights abuses perpetrated by Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua. Ortega has forced the Nicaraguan Supreme Court to not recognize the leaders of two opposition political parties. He has removed 28 deputies and alternates from the National Assembly. He has chosen his wife to be his running mate in the upcoming illegitimate elections in order to continue the Ortega dynasty and has sent his thugs to break up peaceful marches by Nicaraguan civil society, who are demanding inclusive elections with international and domestic observers. Mr. Speaker, there must be consequences for these actions, and that is why I introduced the bill, H.R. 5708, the NICA Act, alongside my friend Congressman Albio Sires of New Jersey, to ensure that the United States will oppose any loans to this decrepit regime. We must show the Nicaraguan people that we stand with them in solidarity and support their efforts to convene free, fair, and transparent elections.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), our esteemed chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 810) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the life and work of Elie Wiesel in promoting human rights, peace, and Holocaust remembrance, as amended.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the chairman of our wonderful committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce). Mr. Speaker, I cannot emphasize enough just how important it is that the United States and Israel finalize a new, long-term, and robust memorandum of understanding on U.S. military assistance to Israel. And an overwhelming majority of our colleagues in Congress agree. This bipartisan resolution, Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 729, that I introduced alongside my friend and colleague, the gentleman from south Florida (Mr. Deutch), the ranking member of our Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, has over 275 cosponsors. This is the kind of support we don't see very often, but it underscores the level of commitment and support that the United States Congress has for our closest friend and ally, the democratic, Jewish State of Israel. It is absolutely imperative, Mr. Speaker, that the administration finalize and sign a new memorandum of understanding with Israel as soon as possible because the threats to Israel aren't going away anytime soon. Just last week, it was reported that the Israeli military had assessed that it expects ISIS attacks on its southern border within 6 months. This is extremely alarming and, if true, all the more reason to finalize a new MOU with Israel. We know that Egypt has been fighting ISIS in the Sinai for quite some time now; but if ISIS is able to continue moving north toward Israel, it would leave Israel vulnerable on almost every border, except the border that it shares with Jordan, where the King and the Jordanians have been so important in the fight against ISIS. As if the thought of ISIS surrounding the Jewish state was not daunting enough, as a result of the Iran nuclear deal, the threats to Israel have only increased in magnitude and severity. Iran has shown that it has no intention of slowing down its ballistic missile program, which it uses to repeatedly threaten Israel. We have recently learned that the nuclear deal is full of secret concessions and exemptions to Iran which allow Iran to exceed limits that are set forth in the deal. And these are just the ones that we know of now. There are likely a lot more. We just heard testimony last week that the administration may have sent Iran up to $33.6 billion in cash payments, including $1.7 billion in ransom payments. Administration officials have said that there is no way of tracing the money or of telling if that money will be used to support terror; but Iran had said that it needed hard currency, so we sent it because that is a great idea: to give a state sponsor of terror an infusion of billions of dollars of cold, hard cash. That makes a lot of sense. So now Iran has as much as $33.6 billion in cash; and, no doubt, it will be used to support terror. There is no doubt. It will be used to shore up Hezbollah's weapons supply. It will be used to increase the missile stockpile of Hezbollah. It will be used for many nefarious activities. And with Iran's stated intention to wipe Israel off the map, there should be no time wasted in ensuring that the Jewish state has the capability, has the capacity to defend itself and her people from every threat. With all of the concessions that the administration has made to Iran, we need to make sure that this memorandum of understanding goes above and beyond. As my former chief of staff of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Dr. Yleem Poblete, wrote in a piece for the Gatestone Institute a couple of months ago: ``The terms of any U.S.-Israel agreement must withstand comparison to the concessions offered Iran in the JCPOA and show unequivocally that Israel, a trusted ally and major strategic partner, fared better in negotiations than an unconstrained enemy.'' This is why the administration must conclude this MOU with Israel. It would send a strong message to the people of Israel that the United States continues to stand by them and support them. But, Mr. Speaker, it would send an even stronger message to those who seek to harm Israel by signifying that the United States is committing to fully support Israel's defense and security needs. So I urge my colleagues to support this measure. I call upon the administration to put the politicking aside, get this agreement done, secure Israel's safety and our own interests. We are going to hear a lot of support for this resolution. We have heard about the many threats facing Israel. And I spoke about the nuclear threat and how it has placed Israel in greater jeopardy. But what we don't hear too much about, Mr. Speaker, is how the nuclear deal has threatened Israel's qualitative military edge, the QME, that, by U.S. law, we are supposed to ensure. When the administration signed that weak and dangerous nuclear deal with Iran, it had to sell it to the international community. How did it do that? Well, in order to sell the deal to our allies in the Gulf, the administration had to promise them that we would provide them with advanced weapon sales. The administration likes to say that the Iran deal will make the world safer. But if that is true, then why are we going to increase so much the militarization of the Gulf countries? Mr. Speaker, I expect that Gulf states sales of military jets to Bahrain, to Qatar, and to Kuwait will be approved by the administration as early as this month. We are about to open the spigot of cash that Iran can then use to build up its ballistic missiles, its military, and its terror activities. So we need to make sure that Israel understands that we are there to support her. It makes no sense, Mr. Speaker, that we should be concentrating on stopping Iran, not assisting the regime, to further carrying out its nefarious activities and certainly not helping to build up its conventional nuclear arms race in the region. Not to mention that by doing this we are undermining the distinct advantage that Israel has militarily over its neighbors. Even though Israel and our other partners in the region may have better relations now than ever before--and that is true, and that is wonderful--because they have an Iran, a mutual enemy that they understand is their greatest threat, history tells that it is better to be safe than sorry. So that is another important reason why we need to conclude this MOU with the Jewish state and ensure its qualitative military edge. We have an ever increasingly dangerous Iran, a heavily militarized Middle East with advanced weaponry, ISIS becoming an even greater threat to Israel, Hezbollah on the Golan Heights and in Lebanon, and, of course, Hamas in Gaza. That is a daunting task to ask of even the largest country, Mr. Speaker, let alone the tiny Jewish state. So I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I urge them to call upon the administration to uphold longstanding U.S. policy toward our closest friend and ally, the democratic Jewish state of Israel. I thank the gentleman for the time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and Dr. Yoho for putting forth this wonderful bill. The State Sponsors of Terrorism Review Enhancement Act is the work of our Florida colleague, Ted Yoho. I thank Dr. Yoho for his leadership on this bill, as well as Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their leadership in getting it to the House floor. This bill is an important and necessary legislative fix to a broken process: the manner in which nations are delisted as state sponsors of terrorism. Over the years, through three different statutes, Congress developed the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and the consequences for being on the list. The three laws--the Foreign Assistance Act, the Arms Export Control Act, and the Export Administration Act--work to prevent state sponsors of terrorism from receiving assistance, goods, and technology that could help support terrorism. In past decades, administrations from both sides of the aisle have mistakenly and prematurely delisted states, for example, including taking North Korea off the list in 2008, as the chairman pointed out, and removing Cuba, as the chairman pointed out, last year. North Korea has armed and supported organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas and has reportedly assisted the regime in Syria and in Iran in developing their nuclear weapons program. Other examples of North Korea's provocations and destructive behavior are prolific, including continued illegal nuclear weapons tests like the one that we just saw last week; missiles launches; cyberattacks, sinking a South Korean naval vessel; and shipping weapons systems likes those that were intercepted out of Cuba in the year 2013. Cuba has links to North Korea and state sponsors of terrorism Iran and Syria. It provides safe haven to terror groups like the Colombian FARC and Spanish ETA, and harbors fugitives, as the chairman pointed out, from American justice, like convicted cop killer JoAnne Chesimard. As we saw in the cases of Cuba and North Korea, the process in which Congress is able to weigh in on whether a nation should or should not be delisted as a state sponsor of terrorism is a broken process, and only one of three laws provides a legislative mechanism to stop it. Only one. This bill aims to fix that, extending the amount of time that Congress has to review an administration's proposal to delist a country and providing Congress with a mechanism, under each law, to block its removal by enacting a joint resolution of disapproval. It is a simple legislative fix, Mr. Speaker, that allows Congress to fulfill its oversight responsibility, determine whether these countries are still supporting terrorism, and prevent them from being delisted should there not be enough evidence for their removal. Congress needs to have the ability that it always had and that we thought it had to weigh in on attempts to remove countries from the list and to ensure that countries that are still supporting terrorism remain sanctioned, restricted from any material that they might be receiving that could aid in their terrorism, and remain on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list where they belong. So it makes a change to the law, the review process that should have been made a long time ago. I thank Dr. Yoho for doing this. It allows Congress to execute its proper oversight responsibilities and prevent the executive branch from delisting countries as state sponsors of terrorism prematurely. We have seen in cases of both North Korea and Cuba, delisted by Republican and Democratic administrations respectively, that giving these nations these concessions only emboldens the rogue regimes and undermines our national security.