Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 17) expressing the sense of Congress that Taiwan should be accorded observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material into the Record on this measure.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I will make some remarks, and then I will also yield back the remainder of our time. I rise in strong support of this important resolution which calls upon the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, to grant meaningful participation for Taiwan. Is there any doubt in a post-September 11th world that air traffic safety constitutes one of the first lines of defense against those who would do harm to the United States or to our friends and allies? Are not the people of Taiwan deserving of the same level of protection against air assault as provided to the other peoples whose governments participate in ICAO? The Taipei flight information region, under the jurisdiction of Taiwan, covers an airspace of 176,000 square nautical miles. Taiwan's main international airport is recognized as the eighth largest in the world in cargo traffic and the 18th in the number of international passengers who make use of its services. Can there be any doubt, therefore, that Taiwan, which provides air safety control services for well over 1,350,000 flights annually needs meaningful participation in the international organization responsible for air safety and security? Beijing, like some haughty overlord, condescendingly informed Taipei and the U.N. system in the year 2009 that it would allow, at least temporarily, Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly. Meaningful participation in international organizations for Taiwan represents too important an issue to be determined only by the whims of Beijing. It is time to open the door to Taiwan's constructive and meaningful participation in ICAO, and that time is now. The State Department, as this resolution suggests, should assume a leading role in providing an action plan to ensure that this happened as quickly as possible. We owe this, Mr. Speaker, to the people of Taiwan. We owe this to ensure as well for the air safety of those American passengers flying over the skies of the western Pacific. And here I am not speaking just in theoretical terms, Mr. Speaker. Let us not forget that it was less than three decades ago when, due to a tragic confusion in air communications, a Soviet military fighter shot down a Korean Air Lines civilian flight as it left western Pacific and flew inadvertently over Soviet territory. As we know, this resulted in the death of all 269 people on board, including a Member of this House, Congressman Larry McDonald of Georgia's Seventh District. The Congressman was traveling to Seoul to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the United States-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty. So air safety control is, therefore, a very serious matter. Taiwan needs meaningful participation in ICAO not only for the safety and security in the air of its own citizens but also for all of the peoples of the vibrant Asia Pacific region. ICAO will be holding its 12th Air Navigations Conference in November, and Taiwan should be, must be represented there in Montreal. So, Mr. Speaker, I urge that my colleagues join Mr. Berman and me in expressing their overwhelming support for this important resolution. With that, I yield back the balance of our time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Captain Emiliano Tellado of the United States Army for his dedication and service to our Nation. Captain Tellado recently moved on from his assignment as a Congressional Liaison for the Army to become the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Land Command Stand Up Team Special Initiatives Group Leader. A native of Puerto Rico, Captain Tellado graduated from Norwich University and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and International Studies. Following his graduation from Norwich University in May 2003, Captain Tellado was commissioned in the Field Artillery branch. His first assignment was with 5th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Light, where he served as a Fire Direction Officer and Platoon Leader. During that time he deployed as part of Combined Joint Task Force-76 to Afghanistan from March 2006 to November 2007. Upon his arrival he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Light, where he served as a Battalion Fire Support Officer and a Rifle Company Commander, deploying for a second time. For his second deployment, Captain Tellado deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the ``Surge'' from November 2007 to January 2009. Throughout his deployments Captain Tellado led soldiers in combat at both the platoon and company level in Afghanistan and Iraq. His awards and decorations are as extensive as they are impressive, and include: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, and Parachutist Badge. After transferring command in August, he attended the Field Artillery Captains Career Course. Upon completion, Captain Tellado was selected for the prestigious Army Congressional Fellowship Program, where, as part of the Program, he earned his Master's in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. This Master's would serve him well, as Captain Tellado was then chosen to serve as a Defense Department Fellow on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He utilized the skills he learned from his Master's program, together with his extensive deployment experience, to provide expert advice on Middle East and South Asian affairs. In January 2011, he arrived in the House Army Liaison Division where he assumed his duties as a Legislative Liaison and continued to honorably serve as a conduit between the Army and Congress. Mr. Speaker, it has been a pleasure to work closely with Captain Tellado over the last few years of his decorated career, both as a Fellow for the Foreign Affairs Committee, and as a Legislative Liaison for Congress to the Army. On behalf of a grateful Nation, I join my colleagues today in recognizing and commending Captain Tellado for dedicating his life in service to his country. For all he and his wife have given, and continue to give to our country, we are in their debt. We wish him and his wife Sindia Luz Tellado all the best as they continue their journey together, wherever that may lead them.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), who is our subcommittee chairman on Middle East and South Asia of our Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. 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 the measure under consideration.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken on this floor many times about the Iranian threat and the need for action to stop it, but ultimately we will all be judged by a simple question: Did we stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapons capability? If the answer is ``no,'' if we fail, then nothing else matters. If we fail, it would be of no comfort to the American people whose security and future would be put in danger. If we fail, it would be of no comfort to our ally, Israel, whose very existence would be put in danger. History is full of avoidable tragedies, of foolish countries that have allowed their enemies to prepare to destroy them. The entire world now is fully aware of Iran's true intention. Now is the time to take a stand. As Sir Winston Churchill said: You ask, What is our aim? I can answer with one word: victory. For without victory, there is no survival. To get us on that path to victory, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to render their full support to the Iran Threat Reduction and the Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, a bicameral, bipartisan agreement that represents the strongest set of sanctions ever put in place against the regime in Tehran. It blacklists virtually all of Iran's energy, financial, and transportation sectors, and cuts off companies that keep doing business with Iran from access to our markets in the United States. This legislation also imposes sanctions to prevent Iran from repatriating any proceeds from its oil sales, depriving the Iranian regime of 80 percent of its hard currency earnings and half of the funds that support its budget. This bill also imposes tough new sanctions on the National Iranian Oil Company, the National Iranian Tanker Company, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It also targets Iran's use of barter transactions to bypass sanctions, the provisions of insurance to Iran's energy sector. It also targets provisions of specialized financial messaging services to the Central Bank of Iran. Mr. Speaker, in 1995, the late former Secretary of State, Warren Christopher said: In terms of its organization, programs, procurement, and covert activities, Iran is pursuing the classic route to nuclear weapons, which has been followed by almost all states that have recently sought a nuclear capability. That was in 1995. Secretary Christopher added: There is no room for complacency. Congress passed the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act in '96. That law, now called the Iran Sanctions Act, sought to target Iran's economic lifeline--its energy sector--and denied Tehran the financial resources to pursue its nuclear ambitions, to sponsor violent Islamic groups, and to dominate the region. Regrettably, just a couple years after enactment of that law, the Clinton administration issued a blanket waiver of energy sector sanctions that has been continued by successive administrations. In 1996, U.S. concerns were not shared by our allies in Europe and Asia, who argued that trade, dialogue, and engagement toward the Iranian regime would succeed in moderating Tehran's behavior. This allowed the Iranian threat to flourish. However, Congress continued to develop new legislative countermeasures in the form of the Iran Freedom Support Act of 2006 and the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 to address these Iranian threats and to hold the regime accountable for its human rights violations, for its state sponsorship of violent extremists, and for its pursuit of a nuclear capability. We have analyzed Iranian reaction and behavior in response to these new sanctions. We have looked at what steps our allies have undertaken and considered the actions, or the paralysis, of the United Nations. But most importantly, Mr. Speaker, we have intensified our response as the Iranian threat has evolved and grown. We know that ``the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.'' But far more than vigilance is needed in this case. Which brings us to the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, which we are considering today. This bipartisan, bicameral agreement seeks to tighten the choke hold on the regime beyond anything that has been done before. It sends a clear message that the American people, through their elected representatives, are fully committed to using every economic and political lever at their disposal to prevent Iran from crossing the nuclear threshold. Through this bill, we declare that the Iranian energy sector is off limits, and it blacklists any related unauthorized dealings. It will undermine Iran's ability to repatriate the revenues it receives from the sale of crude oil, depriving Iran of hard currency earnings and funds needed to sustain its nuclear program. It prevents the purchasing of Iranian sovereign debt, thereby further limiting the regime's ability to finance its illicit activities. It also expands sanctions against Iranian and Syrian officials for human rights abuses, particularly those facilitated by computer and network disruption, monitoring, and tracking by those governments. Yet we should be under no illusions, Mr. Speaker, that this legislation is a magic wand that we wave, and we will resolve the problem overnight. Sanctions have helped to knock the regime off balance. But unless the executive branch fully implements these measures immediately, the regime is likely to regain its footing and further speed up its nuclear march. So let us act now to stop that march. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the threat posed by the Iranian regime is not just a threat to the United States, or to our allies, or to the Iranian people. The Iranian regime is also a threat to the Syrian people, because of Iran's close ties and assistance, including weapons that have helped the regime in Syria to slaughter thousands. Like Iran, Syria is a state sponsor of terrorism that poses a threat to the U.S., to our ally Israel, and to other responsible nations. I hope to be back on the House floor in the near future with the Syria Freedom Support Act to address the totality of the Syrian threat, but today we stand ready to hold the Assad regime accountable for its gross human rights violations. Today, we seek to ensure that neither of these brutal regimes has access to resources that would enable them to perpetuate their cruelty. Those allies who, 16 years ago, wanted to engage and continue business as usual with Iran and who, until just a few years ago, were proposing expanded trade agreements with the Assad regime in Syria, have awaken to take a stand against the threatening activities of these pariah states. Congress must carry out its responsibility to the American people and overwhelmingly adopt the bicameral, bipartisan agreement we are considering today. I urge the President to quickly sign it into law and immediately and fully implement the sanctions it contains.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, by prior agreement with the gentleman from California, who will do the same, I would like to yield 5 minutes of my time to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) and ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control those 5 minutes.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 750) providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 1905, with an amendment.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Turner), a member of our Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Dold), an esteemed member of the Committee on Financial Services.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the right to close.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I continue to reserve the balance of my time. I will retain my time to close, so if Mr. Kucinich could wrap up his part of the debate, we can conclude.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remaining time. I would like to recognize the commitment, the dedication and tireless efforts of the members of our House Foreign Affairs Committee family, particularly of our staff director, Dr. Yleem Poblete, who Ranking Member Berman once described as driving a hard bargain. Just ask her hubby, Jason. Also, thanks to Matt Zweig and Ari Fridman. Thanks to Chairman Johnson of the Senate Banking Committee and to his staff, particularly Colin McGinnis, Patrick Grant and Steve Kroll, as well as Ranking Member Shelby and his staff. A strong and warm thanks and big hug to my good friend Mr. Berman-- the ranking member--and to his staff, particularly Shanna Winters, Alan Makovsky and Ed Rice, as well as minority staff director Richard Kessler. I would like to thank Senators Menendez and Mark Kirk and the critical Representatives, Deutch, Sherman and Dold. Let's stop Iran before it's too late. Let's pass this bill. I yield back the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC, July 30, 2012. Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rayburn, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Ros-Lehtinen: I write concerning the House- Senate negotiations on H.R. 1905, an Act to strengthen Iran sanctions laws for the purpose of compelling Iran to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons and other threatening activities, and for other purposes. I understand the House and Senate have reached an agreement on provisions related to an Energy Information Administration report on Iran's natural gas sector. I wanted to notify you that the Committee on Energy and Commerce will forgo action on this House-Senate compromise language so that the bill may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. This is done with the understanding that the Committee is not waiving any of its jurisdiction on this or similar legislation. I would appreciate your response confirming this understanding with respect to this provision of the House- Senate compromise to H.R. 1905, and I ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during its consideration on the House floor. Sincerely, Fred Upton, Chairman.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride, admiration, and affection that I rise to recognize Dr. Virgilio Beato Nunez, an outstanding member of the south Florida medical community, on his very well-deserved retirement. In his 69 years of medical practice, he has improved the lives of countless individuals and has enjoyed a career of many achievements. Dr. Beato is a great example of the patriotism and dedication that we see throughout our Nation, and also to his profession. Forced to flee from the oppressive Communist regime of Fidel Castro, Dr. Beato began his new life and his career in Miami. He then moved to San Antonio, Texas, where in 1974 he was elected vice president of the American Heart Association. In 1977, Dr. Beato moved back to Miami, where he helped many struggling young doctors who had moved to freedom in the United States. He has received many awards, including a proclamation by the city of Miami naming ``Dr. Virgilio Beato Day,'' and a congressional recognition in 2006 for his many contributions to the medical field. Congratulations to Dr. Beato on his retirement, and I wish him all the best in this new, exciting chapter in his life.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to be removed as a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 131.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6018) to authorize appropriations for the Department of State for fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. 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 the bill, H.R. 6018.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank the ranking member--and, indeed, all of the Members on both sides of the aisle--for all of the work that has gone into the drafting of this carefully targeted State Department authorization bill for fiscal year 2013. Despite significant efforts by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Department of State has been operating without legislative authority for nearly a decade. The last authorization bill to become law, coauthored by our esteemed former Chairmen Henry Hyde and Tom Lantos, was enacted in September of 2002. The lack of authorities in the intervening years has eroded Congress' foreign policy leverage with the Department of State. By enacting this bill, Congress will repair this lapse, strengthen our foreign policy oversight, and fulfill our obligation to the American public. The text authorizes basic operations for the State Department, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and the Peace Corps at fiscally responsible levels coordinated with the Appropriations Committee. This bill does not include any foreign aid authorities. H.R. 6018 contains important management reforms to increase the efficiency, the accountability, and the safety of our personnel overseas. It reflects bipartisan concern that Congress needs to have a stronger oversight role in the State Department's expanding activities to promote cybersecurity with other governments around the world. It establishes important jurisdiction and oversight authority for the Department's Strategic Counterterrorism Communications Center, which is already operational. By maintaining current funding for independent audits, inspections, and investigations of the State Department and the Peace Corps, H.R. 6018 ensures that, while we are tightening our belts, we will continue to ferret out waste, fraud, and abuse on behalf of the American taxpayer. This bill will help American businesses by removing unreasonable obstacles and streamlining the arms export control process for exporting selected equipment and parts. At the same time, it will enhance U.S. security by increasing safeguards against the transfer of sensitive U.S. technologies to state sponsors of terrorism, to China, and to other countries subject to U.S. arms embargoes. For all of these reasons, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6018 deserves the bipartisan support that it has received so far and passage by the House this evening. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time, so when the gentleman yields back, I will make some closing statements and yield back as well.

Mr. ROS-LEHTINEN

Mr. ROS-LEHTINEN. In closing, I'd like to thank all of the Members who have worked with us to help put the State Department back on the books for the first time in a decade. I want to thank also the Appropriations, the Budget, and the Intelligence Committees for their helpful consultations throughout this process. Finally, and most especially, I want to thank the ranking member, my good friend from California (Mr. Berman). He has dedicated so many hours, both he and his staff, in making this important bill possible, and I thank him for that. In particular, I'd like to thank Rick Kessler, Doug Campbell, Daniel Silverberg, Shanna Winters, David Fite, Diana Ohlbaum, Brent Woolfork, Daniel Harsha, our esteemed staff director, Dr. Yleem Poblete, and indeed, all of our hardworking Foreign Affairs staff for their expert assistance, as well as Doug Anderson and Jamie McCormick. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.