Keith Self

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Wiley Wroten, Jr., Texas' Third Congressional District's Service Academy Nomination Board chairman, upon his retirement after 33 years of service to our nomination board. John Wroten began his life of service as a member of the Naval Academy class of 1965, and after a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam, he completed his military service as a captain in the Marine Corps. John became a vice president at H. Ross Perot's Electronic Data Systems, where he also met his wife, Leahray. Throughout his life, John has made considerable contributions to our district and State by leading the development of the Legacy Town Center, by serving as chairman of the Plano Chamber of Commerce, and by serving as a board member of the Plano and Allen campuses of the Texas Health Resources Hospital. Of particular note is his service as chairman of the McKinney National Airport. John was instrumental in transforming it from a small, local airport into a significant economic driver for McKinney. Additionally, John served as a board member for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City where he spearheaded the museum's mission of preserving and interpreting the culture of the American West. Mr. Speaker, 33 years ago, John accepted the responsibility for chairing the Texas Third District Nomination Board. Three consecutive Congressmen have depended on John's wisdom, experience, and commitment to excellence as they endeavored to select and guide young men and women aspiring to serve our Nation in the United States' service academies. John's dedication to his community and country exemplifies the best of American patriotism and service to others. With great respect, I commend John Wiley Wroten, Jr., for his 33 years of exemplary service, dedication, and effective contributions. I extend my deepest gratitude and best wishes to John and Leahray as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. May God bless them both for their selfless service and dedication to our community and country. Recognizing Service Academy Appointees

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute our soldiers of tomorrow, the service-bound academy students of the Third Congressional District of Texas. This district of Texas is home to some of the best and the brightest young people, and it is always an honor to recommend such fine students to our Nation's service academies. I am confident that they are ready to join the premier service academies and ultimately serve with the best of the United States Armed Forces. This year, Texas' Third District is going to send six cadets to the United States Military Academy, two midshipmen to the United States Naval Academy, four cadets to the United States Air Force Academy, three midshipmen to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, two candidates to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, one candidate to the United States Military Academy Civil Preparatory School, one candidate to the Naval Academy Preparatory School, and two candidates to the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School. To these 15 appointees and 6 preparatory candidates, God bless them. God bless America. I salute them. To the United States Military Academy: Jack Alexander Clutter, David Ross Graham, Chelsie Son, Samantha Jean Tillson, Jayden Prescott Walker, and Nicholas David Yarad. To the United States Naval Academy: Pope Akanna and Duncan Keith Sullivan. To the United States Air Force Academy: Jonah Rae Aron Bowman, Julia Chang, DeSean Caleb Davis, and Jalen Joshua Davis. To the United States Merchant Marine Academy: Timothy Maximilian Koeppl, Rhett Ownby Sawyer, and Parker Lenwood Tinsley. To the United States Military Academy Preparatory School: Nathan Ooreoluwa Adejokun and Khristian L. Turner. To the United States Military Academy Civil Preparatory School: Blake Ryan McKenna. To the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School: Nickole Sophia Rios. To the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School: Taylor Rae Carroll and Corbin Benzi Glass. I congratulate each of them.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, today, I rise in support of my amendment, which requires the Secretary of Defense to review and report on the personnel records of military chaplains who suffered retaliation for seeking a religious accommodation for the COVID-19 vaccine. By way of background, the Department of Defense's COVID-19 vaccine mandate violated servicemembers' and chaplains' religious liberty and caused substantial harm to their careers. The DOD's handling of the chaplains' religious accommodation requests was an utter disgrace, involving blanket dismissals instead of dismissals considered on an individual basis. My amendment seeks to account for the injustices suffered by the military chaplains. The primary duty of chaplains is to provide spiritual guidance to our servicemembers. To do so, like every American, they must be free to follow their conscience without facing retribution from the government they swore to defend. This amendment is an important first step to ensuring that those who serve our country can do so without sacrificing their freedoms, to quote the Declaration of Independence, ``endowed by their Creator.'' Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment as part of this en bloc package.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, today, I rise in support of my amendment, which would name a Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport vessel after Lieutenant General Richard E. Carey, U.S. Marine Corps. During General Carey's 38-year military career, he served during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He rose from enlisted man to lieutenant by the age of 20. Carey participated in the Inchon landing, captured communist forces, and led his rifle platoon to Seoul. Three months later at the infamous Chosin Reservoir, Carey and his fellow marines were outnumbered 8-1 but they held their ground and broke through the Chinese trap. While in Korea, Carey was badly wounded. Over his decorated career, General Carey became a pilot, flew 204 combat sorties, received 41 medals, and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. He later commanded the evacuation from Saigon, received promotion to lieutenant general, and was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this en bloc package to honor General Carey and his service to America.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, I rise as the designee of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), and I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this amendment by Mr. Roy. This amendment prohibits any of the funding appropriated from being used to modify or remove any VA display of the original mission statement. As you may know, the original mission statement came from President Lincoln's promise: ``To fulfill President Lincoln's promise `to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan,' by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's veterans.'' They want to change it to a gender-neutral version: ``To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our Nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.'' We believe that that is a bridge too far, that we have changed the original mission statement too much. The original mission statement is posted in roughly 50 percent of all VA facilities, and now the VA has been replacing them over the last couple of months. It is unclear which displays have been changed and which have been replaced. The Trump administration resisted calls to change the motto and put an additional 140 plaques in national cemeteries bearing Lincoln's quote. Legislation changing the motto passed by voice in committee and on the House floor in the 116th Congress. We should not use tax dollars to allow the administration to unilaterally change the VA's historic motto and to erase the words of President Lincoln in order to appease the radical left. This is part of our mission to claw back Article I authority from the executive branch. The VA's mission statement, established in 1959, used approximately the same words. This speech was part of the VA's creation of their mission, and the Department wants to use hard-earned tax dollars now to erase the 16th President's words said during the midst of the most traumatic time in our Nation's history, the Civil War. In one attempt, they want to erase Lincoln's words and earn woke brownie points. I am thankful for the millions of men and women who have served valiantly in our Armed Forces, but changing the VA's motto is just virtue signaling. We should be focused on providing the quality care and benefits veterans have earned in a timely manner. We just had a hearing with the Secretary of the VA this morning in the Veterans' Affairs Committee. We are trying to keep them focused on quality healthcare as opposed to other issues. There are still far too many veterans who fail to get quality care at the VA, or if they do not get an appointment, it takes months to schedule through community care. Mr. Chair, we had a long discussion this morning about the failure of the VA to get a handle on veteran suicide. That is where our focus ought to be, as opposed to changing plaques on the wall to some sort of woke motto. We have the power of the purse to hold the administration accountable, to stop the implementation of the VA's decision, and to save the few remaining displays of Lincoln's work. This is a worthy and noble goal, and I urge support for this amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, I agree with the gentlewoman about one thing: This is the modern-day erasing of America's traditional history, which is one of three things that they are trying to erase along with our nuclear families and our Judeo-Christian faith. It is only one of three things that they are trying to erase. That is what they are trying to erase. That is why we need to stand by this amendment because our families, our faith, and our history reflect what has made America strong. It does not leave anyone out. We are going to care for every veteran. In fact, she is right, the Veterans' Affairs Committee is focused on our lady veterans in many ways. So this is a distraction from this bill. Let's keep our history where it is. Let's keep our nuclear families and our Judeo-Christian faith. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from Alabama for hosting this. Fellow Texan William Nation was an Army captain in the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment on 22 June 1944, somewhere in France. Dear folks, just a note to let you know that everything is still okay. We got our mail a few days ago, and I was glad to hear from you again. We have been plenty busy here, and last night I pulled off my boots for the first time since D-Day. I guess you know by now what D-Day is. We have had some real experiences, some that I hope never to go through again, but we made it out all right so far. I guess you know more about what we did than I by reading the papers. We had two news writers drop with us. One broke his leg, but the other is writing all along. This will have to be cut short for now, but I will try to write more this afternoon. I will try to let you know from day to day how things are, but if you don't get a letter from me, don't be worried. We all feel rather immortal after that first night, and most of us are living on borrowed time anyway. Love, Bill. Just a quick story. When I parachuted into D-Day celebrations in 1993, I went up to the superintendent of the cemetery that stands there above Omaha Beach. He motioned to a D-Day veteran saying goodbye. He said that man was a combat engineer on Omaha Beach. He led the first wave ashore. He was the only man of his unit that made it alive onto the shore, and he comes back to visit his buddies every year. This year, when I parachute into D-Day on Friday, I will be carrying a portrait of Glenn Stevens, G Company, 3rd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, who parachuted into D-Day. He was a constituent all those years ago in CD-3 in Texas. I will also be carrying a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart that belong to Staff Sergeant Starlin Lee Click who was a veteran of D-Day. It is my little way of honoring the men who risked everything on June 6, 1944. May we never forget.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act. We must prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing this currency. If you don't want to talk about China, let's talk about the United States. Mr. Chair, we just spent months debating the Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act and the FISA reauthorization. The central debate surrounding these two bills was government surveillance of our citizens. Throughout my time in Congress, I have fought to protect Americans from unconstitutional surveillance right here in America. This bill is another tool to protect our citizens' rights. Mr. Chair, we don't have to guess what would be the use of this CBDC. We have witnessed various United States Government agencies from the IRS to the FBI targeting conservatives for their beliefs. Do you want your Buc-ee's coffee or your monthly mortgage payment or the ammo you purchase for your hunting trip to be visible to the Federal Government? I suggest not. We must continue to fight back against the continuing and obvious weaponization of the Federal Government and prevent the creation of a central bank digital currency. Mr. Chair, this could be the final step toward absolute and total surveillance by the Federal Government. I urge my colleagues to support the freedom of Americans and vote for the underlying bill.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act. This bill honors the important role that working and service dogs play in the lives of Americans, one of whom is a constituent of mine, Special Operator Jason Morgan. Jason's story is absolutely incredible. He was found face down in a swamp in Central America after a mission went wrong. He had a shattered spine, collapsed lungs, and numerous broken bones. It was a miracle he even survived. After waking up from a coma that lasted for months, doctors told him he would never walk again. He then went through many painful surgeries, with his life hanging by a thread many times. When he finally left the hospital, he was in a wheelchair and had memory loss. His life seemed to be falling apart. He was left to care for his three young sons on his own. Everything changed when Jason met Napal, a black Labrador Retriever. With Napal by his side, Jason's life and his family's life changed completely. Napal helped Jason overcome his paralysis. Jason completed a marathon and won awards and medals in the Wounded Warrior Games. More than that, this amazing service dog helped heal Jason's family and taught him how to be the father his kids needed. I have personally seen Napal many times steal the show with his personality and his love of life and his dedication to service. Napal's tour of duty has now been completed, and Yago has taken up his duties. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, as a special operator in the United States Army, our commitment to each other was to leave no man behind. Our Commander in Chief does not hold to that doctrine. President Biden has not only turned his back on our ally Israel, but he has also abandoned the Americans still being held hostage by Hamas. My fellow Americans, this used to mean something. U.S. citizens have been held by terrorists for over 220 days, very reminiscent of the waning days of the Democratic Carter administration when American hostages were left in Iran for 444 days. They were released just minutes after President Reagan took the oath of office. I pray the hostages in Gaza will not suffer at the hands of Hamas for another 224 days. We don't even hear the Biden administration mentioning American hostages. Make no mistake, President Biden is aiding and abetting Hamas terrorists instead of supporting Israel. I can just imagine the terrorists playing an endless loop of Democrat sound bites to the hostages, saying your President is on our side, with headlines like: ``Biden Just Betrayed Israel--and Rewarded Hamas,'' ``U.S. withholding `sensitive intelligence' on Hamas from Israel,'' ``Biden Admin Wants Israeli Forces To `Get Out Of Gaza,''' and ``Pentagon chief confirms U.S. pause on weapons shipment to Israel.'' While our Commander in Chief signals weakness to the world and support to terrorists, I am here to send a message to those being held hostage: You are not forgotten. Congress must fight to get you out in spite of obstacles put in place by Democrats and terrorists. Mr. Speaker, we must support Israel's right to eradicate Hamas, and we must bring our hostages home immediately.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, today, I stand in solemn reflection in the wake of the first anniversary of the devastating mass shooting at the Allen Premium Outlet Mall. I stand to pay tribute to the eight cherished souls we mourn from that fateful day and to commend the courageous actions of the countless heroes in our community whose swift response mitigated what could have been an even greater tragedy. On May 6, 2023, the community of Allen, Texas, faced a harrowing ordeal as a lone gunman unleashed terror upon innocent shoppers and workers in the Allen Premium Outlet Mall. Amidst the chaos and devastation, our first responders' collective bravery and swift actions exemplified the highest standards of courage and professionalism as they selflessly risked their safety to protect and assist those in harm's way. Therefore, I extend my deepest gratitude and solemn appreciation to the individuals, departments, and agencies whose acts of valor undoubtedly saved lives and provided comfort and reassurance to a grieving community. In remembrance of the innocent lives lost--Kyu Song Cho, Cindy Cho, James Cho, Elio Cumana-Rivas, Christian LaCour, Daniela Mendoza, Sofia Mendoza, and Aishwarya Thatikonda--we honor their memory and offer our sincerest condolences to their families and loved ones. I reaffirm my commitment to combating senseless acts of violence and fostering communities of peace and safety. May this proclamation stand as a testament to the resilience, compassion, and spirit of unity that define our Nation in the face of adversity. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a list of those individuals and organizations who assisted. Allen Police Officers Ofc. Dominique Akins, Ofc. David Childers, Ofc. Ryan Dexter, Ofc John Pena, Ofc. Lane Pollan, Ofc. Daryel Whitehead, Ofc. Rory Kelly, Ofc. Brett Anderson, Ofc. CJ Rider, Corporal Dillon Egizi, Corporal Kyle Griffith, Sgt. Chadwick Hernandez, Lt. Ty Latham, Lt. Kris Wirstrom. Allen Fire Department Jake Blackshear, Hunter Bostick, Dean Boyce, Jonathan Boyd, Kristopher Bravo, Hunter Brent, Zach Caldwell, David Cannaday, Chase Condor, Tony Cooper, Marcus Corey, James Cummings, Hannah DeGan, Brandon Derrick, Elton Grant, Greg Grimes, Sam Herber, Jillian Hernandez, Brian Hoverman, Jared Inman, Payton Lambert, Paul Lopez, Matt Madding, Steve McCormick, Marc Morrow, Roger Nolen, Jeffrey Peters, Mark Randle, Simeon Royal, Nolan Skidmore, Justin Sullivan, Greg Truitt, Luis Vargas, Michael Wade, Daniel Williams, Michael Wilson. County Collin County Sheriff's Office, Collin County Constable 1, Collin County Constable 3. Municipal Police Departments Dallas PD, McKinney PD, Frisco PD, Fairview PD, Hickory Creek PD, Prosper PD, Wylie PD, Plano PD. Municipal Fire Departments McKinney Fire, Plano Fire, Fairview Fire, Frisco Fire, Prosper Fire, Lucas Fire, Princeton Fire. State Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Alcohol Beverage, Commission. Stop Spending Money We Don't Have

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, the everyday people of America can't stand at this podium and talk about the crushing inflation Washington's spending has created. The single mothers struggling to put food on the table don't have a voting card to vote against the spending that fuels food price increases. Young families struggling to buy a home can't give a speech on the House floor about the surging home prices and mortgage rates. We are their voice. We are their Representatives, or at least we are supposed to be, but based on the tax-and-spend policies of the administration and the blowout omnibus packages forced through this Congress by many of my own colleagues, I might add, I don't think Congress is doing a very good job listening to America. Mr. Speaker, this Congress has passed two massive spending packages, continuing the blowout COVID expansion and leaving Nancy Pelosi's spending levels in the dust. What did Americans get for it? What did they get for their money? They didn't get a secure border. They didn't get safer cities. They sure didn't get a better economy. Mr. Speaker, do you know who did benefit from the blowout spending? LGBTQ youth organizations, transgender organizations, abortion facilities, and the FBI, which got a brand-new headquarters and expanded authority to spy on Americans. Mr. Speaker, the Washington establishment is addicted to spending my constituents' money, and it is never enough. We are $34 trillion in debt, and it is still never enough. I have no doubt there are plans brewing right now in this murky swamp to clear the decks--that is the phrase--and use the upcoming appropriations to force through more spending and more leftwing poison pills with nothing to actually secure our border and significantly cut spending to stimulate our economy. It doesn't have to be this way. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents and Texas District Three, I urge my colleagues to wake up. Stop spending money we don't have and commit to cutting wasteful government spending. We must bring prosperity back to the hardworking Americans.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Case Gibson from Lone Oak Middle School in Hunt County, Texas. It is with great honor and admiration that I recognize his remarkable bravery and selflessness. During a medical emergency in September of 2023, Case Gibson demonstrated extraordinary courage and quick thinking, ultimately saving the life of a fellow student. Despite the intense and urgent situation, he fearlessly jumped into action, displaying a level of empathy, bravery, and maturity far beyond his years. The heroic actions of Case Gibson on this day serve as a shining example of the exceptional character and leadership qualities he embodies, both within Lone Oak Middle School and the community. In addition to his heroic deed, he is recognized for his outstanding academic achievements, his leadership skills, and his humble, respectful, and thoughtful demeanor. Case Gibson is hereby honored and celebrated for his exceptional bravery, selflessness, and heroism in saving the life of his fellow student during a medical emergency in September of 2023, and for that I extend my gratitude. Honoring Staff Sergeant J.B. McNatt

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to honor Staff Sergeant J.B. McNatt of Greenville, Texas, who recently marked his 100th birthday on April 18, 2024. Staff Sergeant McNatt is a true example of courage, sacrifice, and commitment. He served our Nation with honor in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, during which he worked as a pilot in multiple duty assignments. His dedication to our Nation and its values extended far beyond his military service, as he contributed to the betterment of our society in the postwar years in his hometown. Staff Sergeant McNatt serves as both an inspiring testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a living reminder of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation in the pursuit of freedom. For this, I extend my eternal gratitude.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, and I will make a glaring point: This war is not, economically speaking, even a fair fight. The gross domestic product of the European Union is nine times that of Russia's. Their population is three times that of Russia's. The European Union can do more. If the United States continues to fund this effort, the EU will not muster the political will to do what they should. Yes, Russia is a strategic adversary of America, but it is a bigger threat to our European allies. Even now, many NATO nations are not doing the required 2 percent of GDP on defense. Europe must act with greater urgency. We have heard a lot about Churchill and Chamberlain. May I point out that they are both British. If Great Britain and Europe as a whole had done more with Austria, with Sudetenland, history might be different. Mr. Chair, I implore my colleagues to put America's border security ahead of Ukraine's.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1149, I call up the bill (H.R. 5947) to provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, we saw Iran unleash an unprecedented missile and drone attack on our ally Israel. Iran launched over 350 missiles and drones. We are incredibly fortunate that Israel, the United States, and other partners successfully intercepted 99 percent of those weapons. Had they not, the damage would have been catastrophic. How did a regime that has been subject to international sanctions for decades have the resources to develop such advanced weaponry? The answer is that Iran is incredibly skilled at illicit finance, sanctions evasion, and exploiting every possible loophole to fund their malign activities. Time and time again, we have allowed ourselves to accept the fiction that we can issue sanctions waivers that give Iran access to funds for limited use on allegedly humanitarian transactions without enabling the regime's malign activities. We need to face facts. This is patently false. Money is fungible, and the Iranian regime does not care about its people, as evidenced by their wide-scale human rights abuses and repression. Under President Trump's maximum pressure campaign, Iran was starved for foreign reserve currency. This forced the Iranian regime to make hard choices. With these waivers in effect, every dollar or euro that we provide the Iranian regime, even if purportedly for purchases of agriculture equipment or other humanitarian uses, frees up another dollar or euro that Iran's regime will spend on missiles, drones, its nuclear program, or its terrorist proxies. Beyond the question of money being fungible, Iran has a demonstrated track record of falsifying humanitarian purchases. In fact, the Department of Justice has previously charged a bank for ``facilitating transactions fraudulently designed to appear to be purchases of food and medicine by Iranian customers, in order to appear to fall within the so-called `humanitarian exception' to certain sanctions against the Government of Iran, when in fact no purchases of food or medicine actually occurred.'' Enough is enough. With this bill, H.R. 5947, we are eliminating the sanctions waivers tied to the $6 billion in Iranian funds in restricted accounts in Qatar and tied to the $10 billion Iran has received from Iraq in electricity payments. It is too dangerous to allow Iran continued access to these funds, even with the nominal restrictions on how they are used. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to revoke these sanctions waivers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger), my colleague and friend, the author of this bill, and a member of the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Homeland Security.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Again, returning our attention to the consideration of the bill at hand, H.R. 5947, Congress granted these waiver authorities over a decade ago hoping that they could be used to help the Iranian people without compromising our national security. What we have seen in the last 10 years is that Iran cannot be trusted. These waivers failed. The JCPOA itself granted access to at least $50 billion to the primary sponsor of terrorism around the world. Since then, we have seen some $70 billion at least given to the Iranian regime by the Biden administration. Iran continues its dangerous, deadly buildup of weapons and other capabilities. The Iranian people continue to suffer at the hands of the regime which uses evasive tactics to divert money that should be spent on their people to support other malign activities. Again, Iran is the primary sponsor of terror around the world, and now our partners and allies all over the Middle East are also victims of Iran and its proxies. We have a responsibility to the freedom loving people of the Middle East not to be funding their oppressors. We need to revoke these waivers, and we need to do it today. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4691, my bill. In response to the surprisingly bellicose comments by the ranking member, Madam Speaker, no one wants to go to war with Iran, but when the Iranian regime chants ``Death to America'' or ``Death to Israel,'' America's response must be swift with immediate deterrence. While I cannot compare to the chairman and the ranking member's years in this body, I did spend many years as a military planner, and I will tell you, I agree with President Reagan: ``We know only too well that war comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak.'' Case in point, Iran's massive attack on Israel just days ago. Make no mistake, the Biden administration has covertly fueled Iran's global sponsorship of terrorism. Three times in the last year, the administration signed off on a sanctions waiver to Iran, unlocking $10 billion that were previously frozen. Then, in September, the President agreed to give $6 billion to Iran in exchange for hostages. Lifting sanctions freed up billions of dollars that Iran used to support terrorist proxies, such as Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels, and Hamas. Shockingly, after Hamas terrorists savagely murdered 1,200 innocent Israelis on October 7, the White House refused to correct course. Before President Biden was sworn into office, Iran had $4 billion in foreign reserves. That number today is $70 billion. Again, $4 billion before, $70 billion today. Congress was never involved in these decisions, and this is only the most recent tip of the iceberg. Let's not forget Obama's Iran deal, which most agree was a disaster. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, otherwise known as the JCPOA, was a plan of action to benefit Iran. The JCPOA did not end Iran's nuclear weapon production but lifted sanctions, including access to at least $50 billion in liquid assets. Later, in 2017, Congress passed a sanctions bill against the areas overlooked in the Iran deal on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis. There is no reason to allow the White House to override Congress by providing sanctions relief to the number one donor to Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels, and Hamas. My bill, the Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act, will prevent just that. This legislation establishes a detailed procedure for Congress to review any action by the President to terminate, waive, or modify sanctions on Iran. Under the bill, the President must report to Congress on any proposed sanctions relief and the reasons for the change in policy. Congress must not allow the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism to get a payday as it continues to spread its malign influence on a global scale. Madam Speaker, Congress must rein in the actions of a lawless President. Congress must reassert Article I authority.

Mr. SELF

Mr. SELF. Mr. Chair, it appears that the House of Representatives is experiencing a constitutional crisis of conscience. We are actually debating if a warrant should be required for government intelligence agencies to spy on Americans. Frankly, I am stunned this is even called into question, especially amongst my Republican colleagues. The Constitution is absolutely clear. We, as Americans, have the right under the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable search and seizures, a right that the FBI has violated in over 278,000 improper searches of Americans and 3.4 million warrantless queries of Americans' private communications. These facts are not up for debate. We know this. They have been caught. If we do not pass this warrant requirement, especially in light of these facts, the continued victimization of Americans by the FBI through FISA section 702 will be legitimized. As an Army officer, as a county judge, and now as a Member of Congress, for 40 years I have been under oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies. I will do so today. On behalf of over 800,000 of my constituents in Texas District Three: Get a warrant.