Brad Schneider

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Torres), another one of our colleagues who joined us on that trip 2 weeks ago.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Auchincloss).

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Goldman).

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, what I would like to do, on behalf of our colleague from Maryland, Mr. Steny Hoyer, is submit for the Record his statement talking about American hostage Itay Chen, who was deemed to have been murdered on October 7. His family is waiting to bring his body home before they honor him with a funeral and sit the Jewish tradition of shiva, 7 days of mourning. They will not have that opportunity to sit shiva until Itay's body is returned. We all join with the Chen family, with all of Israel, waiting for the return of every hostage, not just those living but those who are deemed deceased. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the outstanding contributions and public service of Mr. Joe Mislinski. Joe Mislinski is as a distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, Class of 1978. A trailblazer in his own right, Joe was pan of the inaugural class that permitted members to select specialties beyond combat-arms, choosing the Ordnance Corps. Notably, Joe became the first CSMA graduate to attend the joint service Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) school, reflecting his courage and readiness for challenging assignments. Joe served with distinction throughout his active-duty tenure, including deployments in the United States supporting the Secret Service and in Germany with the Combat Engineers in the 3rd Armored Division during the Cold War. Joe exhibited unwavering commitment to national defense and global security, championing America's priorities on the world stage. Following his military service, Joe continued to epitomize the values of Duty, Honor, Country as an active member of the West Point Society of Chicago. Over two decades, in various capacities, including serving as board member and ultimately president, Joe was dedicated to mentoring new cadets and fostering connections among West Point alumni in Chicago. Joe has also served as chair of my Military Service Academy Selection Committee for the 10th Congressional District. As Representative for the 10th District of Illinois, one of my most significant responsibilities is nominating students to our Nation's esteemed military academies. Since my first term in the 113th Congress, Joe has generously volunteered his time and extensive institutional knowledge to assist me in interviewing and ultimately nominating our future military leaders. As Joe embarks on a new chapter with his family in Connecticut, his commitment to service remains undiminished, as he will serve as coordinator for admissions to West Point for the state of Connecticut Joe's legacy will continue to inspire us all, underscoring the profound influence of one individual on our communities. Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude to Joe Mislinski for his distinguished service to the Nation, the 10th District of Illinois, his tireless efforts in support of West Point, and his continued commitment to excellence in all endeavors.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to recognize the outstanding achievements and public service of a basketball star, radio announcer, local mayor and my good friend, William Mervin ``Billy'' McKinney, III. On March 2, Northwestern Athletics, along with the Wildcats men's basketball program, will formally recognize Billy's athletic accomplishments and lifetime of community contributions with the retirement of his jersey number 30 during Northwestern's home game against Iowa. It marks the first time in school history that a student- athlete's jersey has been retired. Billy McKinney played varsity basketball all four of his years at Northwestern (from 1973 through 1977). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Northwestern basketball history. He set numerous records and earned many accolades during his collegiate career, including multiple All-Conference and All-America honors. Billy was inducted into Northwestern Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. Following his collegiate career, McKinney enjoyed a successful career in the NBA, first as a player and then a front office executive. His eight-year playing career included stints with the Kansas City Kings, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, San Diego Clippers, and Chicago Bulls. McKinney's high energy play and his quickness on the court earned him the nickname ``The Crazed Hummingbird.'' After retiring as a player in 1985, McKinney transitioned to NBA front office management--working over 30 years with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks. McKinney made history as the first African American front office executive in Chicago Bulls franchise history. Following his days as an NBA Executive, McKinney has dedicated himself to public service. Returning to his hometown of Zion, IL, Billy was elected mayor in 2019. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to improve housing, address environmental concerns, and improve economic opportunities for his constituents. McKinney also remains actively involved with Northwestern University. He serves as the men's basketball radio color analyst and has a role with Northwestern University Development and Alumni Relations (NUDAR). The organization presents The Billy McKinney Award to the male student- athlete with outstanding leadership, effort, and a positive attitude. As a player, Billy McKinney wore a medallion with the inscription: ``They can conquer who believe they can.'' Billy McKinney's life story, his commitment and dedication to excellence, and his service to others set an example for us all. As a fellow Northwestern University alum, I am pleased to recognize and celebrate his distinguished career and the well-deserved recognition bestowed on him by our alma mater. I wish Billy McKinney all the best in his future endeavors and continued success.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, Israel is fighting an existential war against Hamas, a death cult dedicated to the genocide of Jews and the annihilation of the Jewish state, while also being attacked by Hezbollah, the IRGC and Iranian proxies, and Houthis. There is no question that the United States must support our ally, Israel, but to my colleagues, I say it is folly to think that what is happening now in the Middle East is not connected to what is happening concurrently in Ukraine. If Ukraine falls, the aid we are providing Israel in this bill is only going to be a small downpayment to what will be needed when Israel faces a strengthened Hezbollah, backed by an emboldened Iran, encouraged by a newly-empowered Russia. And the United States will likely need to spend billions of additional dollars stationing more U.S. troops alongside our NATO allies in Europe. We are selling ourselves and our allies short by not taking the responsibility of leadership this country should be taking. If we don't continue, it is going to cost our kids and our kids' future. It is shameful that the Republicans and Speaker Johnson are using our most important ally, Israel, as a political cudgel. It threatens not only Israel's security, but America's security and our children's future.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of this truly meaningful bipartisan legislation that will benefit millions of needy children. This bipartisan bill is the most significant, if not the only significant legislation passed so far this Congress, helping lift kids out of poverty, lowering the tax burden for working families, supporting innovative businesses, and expanding the supply of affordable housing. Mr. Speaker, despite the exotic arguments those opposed to this bill tonight are trying to make, these are things we should all be proud of. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, it has been 116 days since the attack, with more than 130 hostages, including six Americans, who are still not home. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues to call for the immediate, unconditional release of the more than 130 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. Among them is an American citizen with deep connections to my district north of Chicago, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Hersh was last seen on October 7, kidnapped, wounded, and being taken at gunpoint to Gaza. His left arm had been severed just below the elbow, blown off by a grenade thrown into a bus stop where Hersh had sought refuge with approximately 30 others fleeing the carnage at the Re'im music festival. Most in the shelter were murdered. Hersh, bloodied and dazed, was kidnapped. Hersh is the son of Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, both originally from Chicago. Hersh has family and friends across my district. Hersh's aunt, Abby Polin, is a dear, personal friend of more than 30 years. His cousins went to school with my kids. His grandmother, Leah, has been an inspiration and a pillar of strength. I join all of Hersh's family and friends in praying with all my heart and with all my might for Hersh's safety, for his health, and for his safe return. Hersh, a vibrant 23-year-old, should be home with his parents and his two sisters, planning for his future. He should be traveling on a planned trip he had that was scheduled to leave last month. In fact, El Al Airlines has held his reserved seat, praying for his return. We must do everything we can to bring pressure on Hamas to release Hersh and all the other hostages. We need the U.N. and the International Community of the Red Cross to demand Hamas immediately provide access to the hostages and ensure their unconditional release. We need Qatar and Egypt and others to do more, to do whatever is necessary to bring the hostages home. I refuse to let the hostages be forgotten. Tonight, with all my colleagues here, we stand on this House floor imploring Congress to do more, to do everything we can to work to save the hostages. To Hersh's parents, Rachel and Jon, to the parents, grandparents, kids, brothers, sisters, the loved ones of every hostage, know we stand with you. We feel your pain. We hear your pleas. We share your hope. Bring them home. Bring them home now.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today regarding votes I missed on January 12, 2024, due to family obligations. Had I been present for Roll Call No. 9, on the China Exchange Rate Transparency Act, I would have voted yea. This is common sense, bipartisan legislation that will protect global market participants from the economic security threats posed by China. Additionally, had I been present for Roll Call No. 10, on H.J. Res. 98, I would have voted nay. This resolution would weaken workers' rights and diminish the National Labor Relations Board ability to effectively do its job.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today regarding votes I missed during the week of December 11, 2023. I was unable to be in Washington this week as I was home for the funeral and associated mourning period for my sister-in-law, Debra Dann Kay, who lost her four-year battle with lung cancer on December 9, 2023. May her memory be a blessing. For legislation passed under suspension of the rules, Roll Call Votes 707, 709, 712, 713, 714, 715, 724, I would have voted YEA on these important bipartisan bills. For the procedural motions, Roll Call Votes 710, 711, 719, 722, I would have joined with my Democratic colleagues in voting NO. On passage of the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, I would have voted NO during Roll Call Vote 708 because this is comprehensive legislation that deserved thorough consideration and debate, and should not have been considered under suspension of House rules, precluding the ability to offer amendments. On the Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act, I would have voted YEA on the Democratic Motion to Recommit during Roll Call Vote 716 and would have voted NO on final passage during Roll Call Vote 717. This legislation would needlessly hinder important governmental rulemaking and, if it becomes law, would infuse ambiguity into these administrative processes. I would have voted YEA on Roll Call Vote 718 to support final passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to expand milk options for schools serving federal school meal programs. I would have voted NO on Roll Call 720, reflecting my opposition to the absurd Republican impeachment farce. Despite months of focus, Republicans have provided no evidence supporting their claims about President Biden, and in fact have yet to explain specifically what or why they are investigating. I would have voted YEA on Roll Call 721 for passage of House Resolution 927 condemning antisemitism on university campuses and believe we must do more to urgently address the troubling national trend of growing antisemitism on campus and across the country. I would have voted YEA on Roll Call Vote 723 on passage of the National Defense Authorization Act. Finally, I would have voted YES on Roll Call Vote 724 in support of my colleagues Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Paul Tonko's important work to bring more research into combating Parkinson's Disease, a brutal diagnosis and disease impacting their families and millions around the country. I lost my uncle, Stephen N. Berkowitz, this past September to Parkinson's following a heroic 35-year battle with the disease. I am proud to join with and commend Reps. Tonko and Bilirakis for their leadership on this issue and pray for the families of Reps. Bilirakis, Jennifer Wexton and others around the country who have been impacted by Parkinson's.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, for organizing this hour. I thank the Speaker for his indulgence and attention as we have gone through a long list typical of conversations talking about the hostages. I thank my friend from Michigan, General Bergman, for the time. We should not have to be here tonight. We should not be forced to talk about some of the 250 people brutally kidnapped and taken hostage on October 7. It should not be necessary to call for the immediate, unconditional release of these hostages. We should not be here because Hamas should not be holding hostages. I am grateful that more than 100 hostages have been released and returned to Israel, but 143 hostages remain in captivity, held by Hamas, by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and by others in Gaza. The families don't know the status of their loved ones. They don't know where their loved ones are. They don't know when they will be coming home. I will talk tonight about one hostage, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Hersh's parents, Rachel and Jon, are from Chicago. I have been friends with his aunt, Abby, for more than 30 years. I know his grandmother Leah. Hersh's family is now my family. Hersh was born in northern California. His family moved to Virginia when Hersh was 4 and to Israel when he was 7. That was in 2008. Hersh grew up in Jerusalem, reached adulthood, and was known widely as a kind, gentle mensch. On Friday, October 6, of this year, Hersh was with his family in Jerusalem. It was the evening of the Sabbath, Shabbat, and the holiday of Simchat Torah. The family went to synagogue and then went to dinner at a friend's house with two other families. After dinner, Hersh grabbed his backpack and left to meet his friend Aner. They later learned that Hersh and his friend were going to a concert in the south, a music festival. That was on Saturday, October 7. I will read at length some of the words of Hersh's father, Jonathan Polin, published in Time magazine. He says, describing his circumstance on Sunday, having learned that Hersh was taken hostage on Saturday, at some time--I think it was Sunday morning--a picture started to circulate online that was from an outdoor bomb shelter. They are not uncommon in the south of Israel. Our son was in the picture, as was Aner. Through social media, we started to search for other families of people who were in the shelter and to try to piece together a story. What we have subsequently pieced together, based on conversations with the three witnesses who were in the shelter with him, is the following: Sometime around 7:30 Saturday morning, those in the bomb shelter came under heavy gunfire. Grenades were being tossed into the shelter. Hersh's friend Aner, who was by the entrance of the bomb shelter, is responsible for the lives of anybody who is still alive--he was picking up grenades and tossing them back out and taking control of the situation. But it was total chaos. At least 11 grenades were thrown into the shelter. Aner picked up eight and threw them back out. Three exploded inside. People were critically wounded. What we next know from witnesses is that at roughly 9 a.m., gunmen came into the shelter calmly, not shooting, and they said anybody who can get on their feet and walk out, walk out of here. And our son was one of the small number to walk out. That was 55 days ago: Seven Shabbat dinners with an empty seat in the Hersh Goldberg family; seven weeks of uncertainty not knowing where Hersh is; seven weeks of not knowing how Hersh is doing; seven weeks of not knowing when Hersh is coming home. Tonight, we have heard about so many of these hostages, 143 of the 250-plus hostages taken still are in captivity. The IRC must be able to see Hersh in every one of the other hostages. Hersh and all the other hostages must come home. Not someday, not soon, but now. We owe it to these hostages to bring them home. We owe it to our families, and we must make sure that Hamas can never take hostages, can never attack Israel ever again.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Speaker, as Veterans Day approaches, I rise today to mourn the loss of Paul Baffico, a dear friend and pillar of our local veterans community. We met 30 years ago while working together at Sears. Over the years, I learned the full breadth of his story and the depth of his character. Paul served in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne Division, participating in 206 combat assaults. Like so many of his era, Paul was not welcomed home the way he deserved. It was an experience that informed his career and his volunteering throughout his life. Paul committed his life to serving our Nation's veterans. For more than 15 years, Paul volunteered as a docent at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. In 2012, he founded the Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation, engaging with and advocating on behalf of thousands of veterans and families. Paul was a big man and leaves an even bigger legacy, and his memory will forever be a blessing. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record an oral history Paul shared with the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in 2013. [From Pritzker Military Museum and Library, Nov. 17, 2023] Paul Baffico, First Lieutenant Paul Baffico's story of service truly represents the turmoil our nation faced in the early 1960s--a college student in San Francisco who chose to enroll in the ROTC as Americans were becoming more and more divided on the issue of the Vietnam War, Baffico served with the famed 101st Airborne Division in an area that saw heavy action, before returning home to a community that either couldn't--or wouldn't understand what the military's sacrifice had been about. Differing from some of the public universities at the time, the school that Baffico attended--the University of San Francisco--had a requirement that all students participate in ROTC for their first two years with the option to continue on voluntarily after that. Despite the more conservative nature of the school, the university's proximity to landmarks of 60s counter-culture--Haight-Ashbury, The University of California at Berkeley, and San Francisco itself--made putting on a uniform and going to class that much more intense in an environment where heated debates about Vietnam were raging. Watching as peers were pulled out of class and taken to the draft board, however, and hoping to postpone being drafted himself, Mr. Baffico chose to continue with ROTC after the school's initial requirements had been met. After completing his undergraduate studies, Baffico was trained as a Signal Officer at Ft. Gordon, Georgia before moving on to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and finally landing at Ft. Hood, Texas. From there, he deployed to Vietnam and joined up with the 101st Airborne Division as a Signal Platoon Leader at Camp Eagle, in the hotly contested DMZ. From the time he landed in Vietnam--coming into Tan Son Nhut and making the 30-minute drive by jeep to Camp Eagle--Baffico was enveloped by the dangers of the conflict that would be ever-present in his 206 combat assaults. One day, in particular, stands out to Baffico and represents the intensity he experienced: As dawn broke on the morning of May 6th [1970] I was called to Division Tactical Operations Center (the Situation Bunker) and told that Firebase Henderson was under heavy attack and partially overrun. It was a sapper attack and the ammo dump was on fire and cooking off. My three men had been hit: two killed and one MEDEVAC'd out. The battle was at full peak and the only working communications for the entire firebase was the Pathfinder radio (LZ air traffic control). I was ordered to get a new team and equipment ready and get them installed at Henderson within 45 minutes regardless of the situation. I was not to leave the firebase until my men were in place and the equipment was back on air. That during his interview Baffico chooses to focus on issues of leadership surrounding this moment, and what it means to support the troops in such a situation, is perhaps telling of how hard it is to revisit certain moments in the past. Mr. Baffico does suggest it took him many years to be able to even write about that day. The understanding of leadership that Baffico took away with him that day continued to shape him as he came home to a community protesting the war in Vietnam; as he married and raised a family, and as he began a long career with Sears Roebuck & Co.--a company that understood his service and supported him. Baffico, who lives in Lake Bluff, Illinois and is one of the founders of the Lake County Veterans and Family Service Foundation, takes time each month to volunteer at The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., where he talks with visitors about the war-time sacrifices he witnessed and what it actually means to be of service to your country.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill. Eighty years ago, the Greatest Generation laid their lives on the line fighting for our country and the free world in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific. Today, we are facing grave global challenges and threats not seen in decades. The world is again looking to the United States to lead, and we must not shrink from the burdens of our responsibilities. We are here today talking about Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security. Israel is fighting a war for its survival and must defeat Hamas. Hamas is a genocidal, nihilistic terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of the State of Israel and the murder of the Jewish people. There will not be peace for Palestinians or Israelis until Hamas can no longer rule over Gaza or threaten Israel from its borders. It is also important to understand that Putin's war against Ukraine cannot be separated from Hamas' war against Israel. Success in both wars is imperative for the interests of the United States. We must demonstrate to our allies and our enemies that we are not just able but are committed to supporting Israel, Ukraine, and our friends in the Indo-Pacific as they defend themselves. Sadly, at this moment, the new Speaker of the House and the bill he brought to the floor today are coming up woefully short. Leaders from both sides of the aisle have long accepted three tenets in their support for Israel: Number one, support for Israel must never be a bargaining chip. Second, support for Israel is and must remain broadly bipartisan. Third, aid for Israel must never be conditioned. This bill violates all three. Right now, Israel urgently needs our strong support. Meanwhile, Republicans who have too long tried to use Israel as a political, partisan wedge are now conditioning aid to Israel on the partisan demand we defund the IRS. Reflecting the cynicism of this move, their condition for supporting Israel will not even pay for itself but will dig a fiscal hole $27 billion deeper. It will be far better and less costly in blood and treasure if we ensure Russia, Iran, and Hamas are defeated in their current wars than if our enemies achieve strategic victories against Ukraine and Israel, and America has to strengthen our defenses in Europe and the Middle East. Speaker Johnson's plan is dangerous, reckless, and irresponsible. It is dangerous because it endangers Israel's security. It is reckless because it conditions aid to Israel for the first time. It is irresponsible because it adds $27 billion to the national debt. I am fully committed to ensuring that Israel gets the aid it needs as quickly as possible. I will work with anyone, Democrat and Republican, to get this done. We all know the Senate will send us a robust bipartisan package. I look forward to leading the charge to make sure that package passes overwhelmingly in this House. I cannot support the terribly flawed, weak, and dangerous bill Speaker Johnson and the Republicans have on the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to reject the cynical bill before us.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning), the vice ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and, importantly, the author of this legislation.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from California.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning), my good friend and the vice ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, on October 7, Hamas invaded Israel in a horrific, barbaric terrorist attack, killing more than 1,400 people, injuring thousands more, and taking 240 citizens hostage, including American citizens. Today, Israel finds itself in a war with Hamas. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated. A million Palestinian citizens have had to evacuate from the fighting as Hamas holds human shields, still holds its captives, and continues to fire more than 8,000 rockets into Israel. Israel needs our support. On Friday, this body will consider legislation providing that emergency supplemental support. On Friday, for the first time, Republicans in this body will condition that aid and try to add legislation to rescind IRS agents that will cost the United States Treasury $12.5 billion. This is dangerous, reckless, and irresponsible. It is irresponsible because it costs the Treasury money, reckless because it is conditioning aid for the first time, and dangerous because it puts Israel in a precarious position. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues not to allow this bill to come to the floor and instead to put a clean supplemental bill on the floor.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. SCHNEIDER

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This House of Representatives has a long history of working to halt Iran's nuclear program. We all know why the terrorist regime in Tehran must never ever obtain a nuclear weapon. Look at what Iran is doing right now. They are complicit in Hamas' terrorism in Israel. Through proxies the regime is targeting American forces in the region with deadly force. They have built the region's most powerful terrorist organization, Hezbollah, which destabilizes Lebanon and threatens Israel with hundreds of thousands of sophisticated missiles. Iran props up the criminal Assad regime in Syria and the Houthis in Yemen. They interfere with global shipping, evade sanctions, and attempt to murder Israelis and others around the world. These are only a few of the examples of Iran's nefarious behavior. Imagine what they could and would do if they operated under the safety of a nuclear umbrella. Democrats and Republicans alike have said for many years: Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. Since the 2018 ill- conceived withdrawal from the JCPOA, Iran's nuclear program has surged to extraordinarily dangerous levels, and the options to stop Iran from processing weapons grade, 90 percent highly enriched uranium are increasingly limited. In August, the IAEA reported that Iran's stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium has grown since its May report. Iran now possesses almost 15 times the amount of enriched uranium allowed under the JCPOA. Furthermore, in September, Iran informed the IAEA of its decision to remove about one-third of the IAEA inspectors from the country. I will argue that we cannot take diplomacy off the table. We must keep all options open, but this is a very dangerous moment in dealing with Iran's nuclear program. In May, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said: ``We are also engaging Iran diplomatically regarding its nuclear program, and we continue to believe that it was a tragic mistake to leave the deal with nothing at all to replace it. But we have made clear to Iran that it can never be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon. As President Biden has repeatedly reaffirmed, he will take the actions that are necessary to stand by this statement, including by recognizing Israel's freedom of action.'' The resolution before us today complements the Biden administration policy of leaving all options on the table, and I am pleased to co-lead it with my friend, Chairman McCaul. I will repeat: The regime in Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning), who is the vice ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro), who is an esteemed member of our Foreign Affairs Committee and ranking member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee.