Ed Royce

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude to my deputy chief of staff, Sara Catalan, for her many years of service to the people of our congressional district. I am indebted to her for her faithful service, her good work, sound judgment, and perseverance. Constituents have often thanked me for the attention and assistance they received from her and the dedicated district staff that she put together and managed. Her passion for public policy is evident to all who have worked with her. She has been vital to my outreach and proactive engagement with the diverse communities of the district, ensuring that everyone is heard. She has also been valuable in assisting me with my efforts to prevent stalking, support victims of crime, strengthen education, and combat human trafficking. I have always relied upon her counsel and appreciate her forthrightness and her integrity. As she leaves my office and begins the next phase of her career working for a member of the California State Senate, I know she will continue to serve the people of California well

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 981) condemning the violence, persecution, intimidation, and murders committed by the Government of Nicaragua against its citizens, as amended.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would really like to begin by thanking our Foreign Affairs chairman emeritus, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and I do also want to thank my other colleagues on the committee. I also thank Albio Sires for his work on this measure, along with Colonel Cook. I think it is very timely. It is very important. I think, for those whose families have experienced what it is like under a totalitarian system, there is a special identification with what the victims are going through right now as a result of the authoritarian bent, right now, of President Daniel Ortega, the same Daniel Ortega we remember from 1979. But he lost an election, I think it was, in 1990. He has had five terms. But in consolidating his power, he has moved to an authoritarian approach in tightening that grip where he has now resorted to using brutal force against the students on their campuses if they protest; brutal force against the people who seek refuge in the churches, shooting up the churches, something that Congressman Juan Vargas was talking to me about the other day; brutal force in the villages against those who protest, creating a situation with hundreds and hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. I can just tell you personally, I have a constituent and friend in the district, and she is from one of those villages. She saw me and gave me a little letter the other day about the fate of some of her neighbors who died at the hands of one of these attacks in the villages. They were murdered there on the streets of her small village. I think the reason that this resolution represents such a broad, bipartisan consensus in this condemnation of Ortega's regime is because of the nature of that violence. What this resolution does is support the people of Nicaragua in their pursuit of freedom. Nicaraguans, understandably, want self-determination. They want an end to corruption. They are asking for free and fair elections. The international community--in particular, the Organization of American States regional leaders--must continue to stand with these brave students and church leaders and villagers who are being targeted and being assassinated by thugs working on behalf of and at the behest of Daniel Ortega. When we think about this circumstance and other authoritarian leaders, one of the allies of Daniel Ortega is Nicolas Maduro. He uses these same tactics against the Venezuelan people, and the people deserve better than this. This resolution shows this body's commitment to standing shoulder to shoulder with those without a voice, seeking freedom from those authoritarians who are becoming dictators. The administration was correct earlier this month in sanctioning three senior Nicaraguan officials for human rights abuses and corruption under the U.S. Global Magnitsky Act, a measure that we passed out of our committee, and that is something that this resolution affirms. But more can still be done. This resolution encourages the administration to continue to pressure Ortega to stop the violence and to move forward with free and fair elections. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), the chairman emeritus of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the author of this resolution.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman from Florida an additional 1 minute.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I shared with this body the letter from my constituent and neighbor outlining what had happened to her village where she had grown up and how she had lost friends at the hands of a gang allied with Daniel Ortega quite recently who attacked the village. So I want to thank Albio Sires, Chairman Emeritus Ros-Lehtinen, and others who worked on this resolution for bringing this bipartisan measure forward. I want to thank them for their continued leadership. Because of the continued attacks on demonstrators in Nicaragua, the shooting up of churches, and the threatening of priests there, hundreds of protesters have been murdered, and thousands more have been injured. This is unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, in closing, it is imperative that this body, and our friends and allies across the region, continue to call on Daniel Ortega to end the violence and to allow free and fair elections in Nicaragua. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5535) to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 regarding energy diplomacy and security within the Department of State, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as America's energy production has increased, and as Chairman Mike McCaul, the author of the measure, can tell you, our Nation's influence in global energy policy has grown. The U.S. is now the world's top producer of petroleum. It is also the top producer of natural gas for the fifth straight year. I will add to that: The United States has become more energy efficient. Our abundant supply of energy resources is not only good for our economy, it is also good for our national security. It offers American allies a critical alternative to countries like Russia, which use their energy resources to bully their neighbors, in the case of Vladimir Putin, and, in the case of the global oil cartel OPEC, enrich its member states at the expense of U.S. consumers. In this moment of heightened American energy leadership, it is critical that the State Department have the leadership and direction needed to fulfill its statutory responsibilities governing international energy diplomacy. This bill, the Energy Diplomacy Act, will elevate America's energy security and diplomacy priorities. It authorizes an Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources at the State Department. This Assistant Secretary will replace the Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, demonstrating the importance of energy issues to our foreign policy and our national interests. The Assistant Secretary will be responsible for developing and implementing policies to advance U.S. energy interests abroad by managing our relations in petroleum, in natural gas, in biofuels, in renewable energy, and in nuclear and other energy resources. This bill also requires the State Department to use diplomacy to support the development of U.S. energy resources to bolster our energy security, grow our economy, and support our allies. Mr. Speaker, for years, the world's leading petroleum producers have been rigging the world market by cutting production to drive up gasoline prices, and this hurts families in places like our home States. It is in our interests to promote the availability of diversified energy supplies in a functioning global market for energy resources, technologies, and expertise. That is exactly what this bill requires. Energy policy expertise must be more deeply integrated in our foreign policy. As a major energy producing nation, it is time we elevate this important issue within our diplomatic ranks, which is what this bill will do. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul for his work on this important measure with us today. Mr. Speaker, I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), who is the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and a senior member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The gentleman is the author of this measure.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues, Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Engel, and Mr. Sires, for crafting bipartisan legislation to ensure that the State Department has the leadership and the direction to support America's energy diplomacy priorities. Working with our allies and partners in the private sector, we can counter Putin's weaponization of his energy resources and provide our allies with a stable alternative to unreliable energy suppliers whose priorities are self-enrichment and geopolitical self-interest at the expense of a functioning market. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5754) to promote free and fair elections, political freedoms, and human rights in Cambodia, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 5754.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, thank you for bringing this important and timely legislation to the House Floor. I want to begin by thanking Rep. Yoho, the Chairman of the Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, for authoring this bill, which is the product of his important oversight work. I would also like to recognize Rep. Alan Lowenthal for his tireless advocacy for this bill, as well as Ranking Member's Engel and Sherman for their strong support. In four days, Cambodians will vote for a new head of government. Unfortunately, this election will not be legitimate in any way. Hun Sen and his thugs long ago decided the outcome, by marginalizing, beating, and imprisoning members of the opposition. Since Cambodia's deeply flawed elections in 2013, we have seen intensifying attacks on Cambodians peacefully opposing their government. Hun Sen's thuggish regime continues to crack down on political opposition and other activists who oppose his rule. Freedom House consistently rates Cambodia as ``Not Free,'' noting harassment of the regime's political opposition. That's putting it mildly. Three years ago, opposition lawmaker and American citizen Nhay Chamreoun was severely and brutally attacked by plainclothes bodyguards, who repeatedly kicked and stomped him. He was hospitalized for months. Several months later, Kem Ley, a popular Cambodian political commentator, was murdered in broad daylight for his outspoken protests of the regime. Over the last year, Hun Sen has dispatched any notions of democracy in Cambodia. He dissolved the opposition party, CNRP, arrested its leader Kem Sokha--who now faces spurious treason charges--and completely dismembered the political system in Cambodia. Importantly, the Cambodia Democracy Act of 2018 imposes sanctions on all members of Hun Sen's inner circle for their role in undermining democracy in Cambodia and committing serious human rights violations. Specifically, it bars these individuals from entering the U.S. and blocks any assets or property they may possess. It will be up to the President to determine who should be designated for these sanctions. But given the brashness of this regime, we do have a good idea of who the President should target: Hun Sen: Prime Minister, President of Cambodian People's Party (CPP); Sar Kheng: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Vice President of CPP; Tea Banh: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense, Member of the CPP; Aun Pornmoniroth: Minister for Economy and Finance; Koeut Rith: Secretary of State of Ministry of Justice; Sun Chanthol: Minister of Public Works and Transport; Prak Sokhonn: Minister of Foreign Affairs; Om Yentieng: President of Anti-Corruption Unit attached to the Office of the Council of Ministers, Advisor to the Prime Minister; Pol Saroeun: Four-Star General, Member of the Supreme Council of National Defense, Commander-in-Chief of RCAF; Neth Savoeun: Director-General of the National Police, Member of CPP Permanent Committee; Kun Kim: Four-Star General, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of RCAF, Chief of RCAF Joint General Staff, Chief of Personal Advisers and Cabinet of the Prime Minister; Sao Sokha: Four-Star General, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of RCAF, Commander of the National Royal Military Police; Hing Bunheang: Four-Star General, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of RCAF; Choun Sovann: Deputy Chief of National Police and Chief of Phnom Penh Municipal Police; Hun Manet: Deputy Chief of RCAF Joint General Staff; Sok Puthyvuth: CEO of SOMA Group conglomerate; and Hun Mana: Chair of Bayon Height Media System. Again, thank you Mr. Speaker for bringing up this very important and timely legislation. The people of Cambodia deserve far better than the Hun Sen's despotism. Political pluralism will soon reach Cambodia, and this legislation will not only help Cambodians attain that goal, but will also send a strong signal that Congress will not tolerate these human rights abuses.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 2779) to amend the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to place into the Record an exchange of letters with the Judiciary Committee on H.R. 5754.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record an exchange of letters. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, July 20, 2018. Hon. Edward R. Royce, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Royce: I write with respect to H.R. 5754, the ``Cambodia Democracy Act.'' As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions within H.R. 5754 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary, I forego any further consideration of this bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 5754 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or similar legislation and asks that you support any such request. I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 5754 and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. Sincerely, Bob Goodlatte, Chairman.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on S. 2779.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Senators Flake and Coons for their leadership and sustained engagement on this issue. I also want to thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Bass for their focus on Zimbabwe at the Africa subcommittee. On July 30th, the people of Zimbabwe will have the opportunity to vote for their next president. As the first election since Robert Mugabe, this is a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe. For 37 years, Zimbabweans have suffered greatly under authoritarian rule and economic devastation. The government drove the economy into the ground and violently suppressed any opposition to their power. With elections now just days away, the situation in Zimbabwe should be viewed with cautious optimism. I am encouraged by some of the statements and actions taken by the government. President Mnangagwa, along with key opposition candidates, signed a public pledge to ensure peaceful elections. The opposition is allowed to campaign across the country, the voter roll has been released for inspection, and U.S. and international observers will be permitted to observe the elections. However, reports of voter intimidation, efforts to politicize food aid, and increased military presence in rural polling stations are deeply concerning. The people of Zimbabwe, as well as the international community, remember the horrific violence that occurred during the 2008 elections. That cannot happen again. That's why this legislation is so critical. This bill makes important changes to update the 2001 Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act. It lays out our expectations for a free and fair election, as well as actions needed to achieve key economic reforms. The expectations of the 2001 legislation hold true today--Zimbabwe must make credible progress towards holding free and fair elections, restore the rule of law, and ensure military subordination to the civilian government, among other desperately needed reforms. These are realistic and universally recognized standards. Both the government and the opposition must follow through on their statements to hold a free, fair, and credible election on July 30th. This is an opportunity to chart a dramatic new course for Zimbabwe. We urge the next President to take bold and immediate action to address key governance and economic issues. We stand by the people of Zimbabwe in their efforts to see a more democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Zimbabwe.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, we stand here doing what we have done, I guess, 38 times now since 1998, and that is passing an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program without the much- needed reforms that should be in that program. This is unacceptable. Subsidized flood insurance represents what economists call a moral hazard, and let me tell you why. We tell Americans that if you buy flood insurance from Uncle Sam, no matter how many times your house floods, we will give you money to rebuild it. We haven't worked to decrease that moral hazard through reform; rather, we have embraced and refueled it, and we make it more difficult for people to move than rebuild. We fail to encourage communities to mitigate flood risk. We continue to build in high-risk areas. The clearest sign of moral hazard is the number of repeatedly flooded properties that are rebuilt with little deference to mitigation. I will give you some examples: A $90,000 home in Missouri has been flooded, now, 34 times, at a cost of more than $600,000; A $56,000 home in Louisiana flooded more than 40 times at a cost of $430,000; A $72,000 home in Texas that flooded again last year cost taxpayers over $1 million in payouts. I came to the floor today hoping to support a bill that Mr. Blumenauer and I authored that would have extended the flood program with what The Wall Street Journal called de minimis policy changes that have broad, bipartisan support, which would do something about the fact that you have got fewer than 2 percent of the 5 million policies that have absorbed more than $8 billion of the payments because we don't have these reforms. That is not in this bill before us. Unfortunately, I oppose this can-kicking exercise, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. ROYCE of California

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4819) to promote inclusive economic growth through conservation and biodiversity programs that facilitate transboundary cooperation, improve natural resource management, and build local capacity to protect and preserve threatened wildlife species in the greater Okavango River Basin of southern Africa, as amended.

Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record.