Roger Williams

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I want to take a moment to recognize the Tarleton State University Rodeo Team located in Stephenville, Texas. Now, if you have never been to a Texas rodeo, I can promise you, it isn't like anything you have ever seen before. There is nothing quite like it and, frankly, there is nothing more Texan. Day in and day out, the young men and women on the Tarleton State Rodeo Team are dedicated and give 100 percent, no matter what. In fact, this summer, because of their hard work, the men's team finished second at the College National Finals Rodeo. However, this was not an isolated accomplishment. The Tarleton Rodeo Association has been part of a winning tradition since 1947. They have won seven national championship titles and 27 individual national championships. Mr. Speaker, because of all of this, the Tarleton State Rodeo Team is the best in Texas and one of the best in the Nation. I am proud to represent these champions in the 25th Congressional District, and I look forward to watching them continue to dominate the competition. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I want to take a moment to recognize the Lake Travis Fire Department and the Bee Cave Police Department that are in the great 25th District of Texas. As we all know, yesterday marked 17 years since our country was attacked on September 11, 2001. We lost thousands of lives when terrorists wreaked havoc on the United States. While we can never forget the anger and heartbreak we all felt, we must also never forget the heroic actions by our first responders. While people were running down the stairs to escape, men and women were running up 110 flights of stairs toward danger to save lives. That day, we lost 343 New York firefighters, 37 Port Authority officers, and 23 New York P.D. officers. While we can never truly thank them for their sacrifice, we can honor them for their courage and valor. Yesterday, the Lake Travis Fire Department and the Bee Cave Police Department put on full gear and climbed 110 flights of stairs to commemorate those who never made it out while climbing those steps. Mr. Speaker, our first responders are vital to the safety of Americans, and we must never forget to thank them for all they do. We must continue to pray for all those affected, and thank those who selflessly gave their lives for our Nation. God bless our first responders, and God bless America.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I want to take a moment to talk about something very dear and near to my heart. This year, over 160,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States. That is one man every 3.2 minutes. Many of my colleagues here today may not know this, but 3 years ago, I was one of those men. Fortunately, the cancer was caught early, and I was able to survive the diagnosis. Unfortunately, and it pains me to say this, this is not the case for roughly 30,000 men every year. Mr. Speaker, the month of September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and we need to talk about this. It is the most common cancer among American men, and over 12,000 will be diagnosed this year in just Texas alone. Education and early detection is critical to stopping prostate cancer in its tracks, and, therefore, we need to better educate our fathers, brothers, sons, and friends. All men are at risk, and as a survivor, I encourage the men of Texas District 25 to participate in regular screenings. Together, we can beat prostate cancer. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men and the third leading cause of cancer death behind lung and colon cancer. While I am a survivor of this potentially deadly disease, not everyone is so fortunate. In my home state of Texas, an estimated 12,600 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed, and an estimated 1,830 deaths will occur in 2018. Nationally, 164,690 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and, tragically, one man every 18 minutes, or roughly 29,430 men will die this year due to the disease. While 1 in 9 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, certain groups are at higher risk for developing the disease: Men with family history are twice as likely to develop the disease, African Americans are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed in their lives, and Veterans who are exposed to herbicides such as Agent Orange are at an increased risk for developing an aggressive form of the disease. We can lower these numbers--education regarding early detection strategies is critical to saving lives and preserving and protecting our families. If caught early, prostate cancer has a five-year survival rate of nearly 100 percent. However, for late stage prostate cancer the five year survival rate is 29 percent. All men are at risk for prostate cancer and I encourage the men of this nation to participate in routine prostate cancer screenings. Your life is too valuable to avoid them.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize the famed Bluebonnet Belle C-47 Skytrain in Burnet, Texas, that I represent. The Bluebonnet Belle was designed and built in 1944. It flew more than 75 missions during World War II to carry cargo, passengers, and evacuate casualties. The Highland Lakes Squadron Commemorative Air Force purchased the Belle in 2002 where it then made its way to Burnet, Texas, and has called the Lone Star State home ever since. As recently as last year, this aircraft was used to transport food and supplies to the good people of Texas who suffered from Hurricane Harvey. It logged 13.6 flight hours going back and forth, which is incredible for a plane of this age. Unfortunately, on Saturday, June 21, as the plane headed for the Oshkosh Air Show in Wisconsin, it crashed upon takeoff before catching fire and eventually exploding. By the grace of God, all 13 crew members and passengers aboard the aircraft survived and are now in good spirits and safe. I am thankful for the first responders who tended the aircrew and to those who helped contain the fire. I am sad to say that the Bluebonnet Belle will not be able to be restored. It is a huge loss for Burnet and for Texas 25. We will always remember this plane and all it accomplished across the United States and the world. It was a treasure that cannot be replaced. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the JOBS and Investor Confidence Act of 2018, which is comprised of 32 pieces of legislation that have passed the committee or the House this Congress with wide bipartisan support. As a small business owner, I know how suffocating Big Government can be for the little guy. The fact is small businesses makes up 90 percent of American companies and employ almost half of our workforce. We need to fight for them. In order for the United States to compete with the global market, we must continue to sustain long-term economic growth, and that starts with the passage of the JOBS and Investors Confidence Act of 2018. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in support of this bipartisan legislation, and I am looking forward to the Senate passing this package quickly. Quite simply, business is good. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize the selfless work that the Austin Habitat for Humanity is doing in the 25th District of Texas that I proudly represent. Over the past 30 years, they have built more than 425 homes, repaired another 280, and provided financial advice to over 10,000 Texans. Just last month, I had the opportunity to visit this organization and meet with the great folks who operate it. The work they do here is so important, and I was inspired by their spirits and selfless attitudes. Hearing about the remarkable work they do day in and day out was extraordinary. They put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes and communities and to give hope to those who need it the most. Those who work and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity are superb people. They are compassionate and kind, and, frankly, we need more Americans just like them. Every single person deserves a decent and affordable place to live, and this organization is there to help those who are less fortunate. I encourage each and every person listening to get out there and do something for your local community. Together, we can really make this world a better place. With that being said, God bless Texas, God bless Habitat for Humanity, and God bless the United States of America. ``In God We Trust.''

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to reflect on the past 6 months in this country. On December 20, 2017, Republicans in Congress passed the most historic tax reform in three decades, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. That day will long be remembered as a time when American families and businesses were once again made a priority. As a small-business owner myself, I have spent my time in Congress fighting for tax cuts that would allow Main Street to breathe again. Small business optimism is at an all-time high across Texas' 25th District. Employers are increasing their workforce and raising wages. Tax reform has created more than 1 million jobs, which has brought unemployment down to 3.8 percent. That is incredible. Mr. Speaker, all of this is great, but I want the American people to know that we are not done yet. Congress is not done yet. I am continuing to work to strengthen the economy and make tax cuts permanent. We will fight year after year to make America more competitive, keep our Tax Code simpler, flatter, and fairer. Business is simply good. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support last month. This important legislation stems from years of consideration, hearings, markups, and floor votes in the House, coupled with a bicameral commitment with the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee to deliver relief for the American people. More than half of the 53 provisions included in S. 2155 originated in the House Financial Services Committee, and I applaud the work of the chairman throughout this lengthy process. Right now, small community banks cannot keep up with oppressive regulations that are reluctantly forcing so many to close their doors. As I have said time and time again, the practice of one-size-fits-all does not and should not apply to financial institutions. In order to unleash our economic potential, Congress must act now to repeal unnecessary regulations while properly tailoring those we need. Mr. Speaker, S. 2155 will finally provide the relief for our community banks by cutting through red tape. In turn, small businesses and the American consumer will now have better access to credit and encourage more economic growth and consumption. Make no mistake about it: this economy is roaring. I have been in business 47 years, and I know what I am talking about. I am proud to join colleagues in support of this bipartisan, bicameral legislation and look forward to President Trump's signature as soon as possible. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to recognize National Police Week, as well as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. This week allows us to take the time to honor local, State, and Federal officers who have died or have been disabled in the line of duty. This week is an opportunity to pay tribute to the important men and women who have served our country and put our lives in front of their own. In 2017, 129 officers made the ultimate sacrifice. Of that, one of them lived in the 25th District of Texas that I represent. Mr. Speaker, I would like everyone to know the name of Deputy Mark Gregory Deibold of the Tarrant County Constable's Office, Precinct 5. Mark's watch ended on Thursday, September 7, 2017. This hero served his community, State, and country well, and he is more than deserving of our praise and recognition. Thank you for your service, Mark. May God bless this hero's family. God bless the United States of America. In God We Trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to speak about and reflect on the wonderful life of our former First Lady Barbara Bush. To those who knew her, they knew the amount of love and kindness she exemplified every single day on this Earth. She was a caring and compassionate wife, mother, and grandmother who displayed true devotion to her country in all phases of her life. I had the great honor of knowing Mrs. Bush and her family. I have many fond memories of summertime with her and President Bush that my family and I will cherish forever. On April 21, the day she was laid to rest in Houston, Texas, the congregation in that church and people all around the Nation remembered her with great fondness and admiration. Our country is better because of Mrs. Bush. She will always be missed, but she will never be forgotten. I hope all of you in this Chamber will join me for a moment of silence to remember the life and legacy of former First Lady Barbara Bush. May God bless the Bush family and may God bless this great Nation that is better because of her.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4790, the Volcker Rule Regulatory Harmonization Act. I appreciate the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) for his leadership on this issue. At over 930 pages, section 619 of Dodd-Frank, otherwise known as the Volcker rule, is as lengthy as it is complex and confusing. The Volcker rule is framed as a solution to a problem that never existed in the first place. Right now there are five different agencies responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Volcker rule. These five agencies all have different legal mandates and regulatory missions, which have led to duplicate and concurrent reviews into U.S. banks. In the 25th District of Texas, community banks are struggling to get by and wonder why they have five different regulators knocking on their doors about the same issue. Only in Washington would that kind of backwards thinking be rewarded. H.R. 4790 would streamline regulatory authority over the Volcker rule by giving the Federal Reserve exclusive rulemaking authority. In other words, banks won't have five different regulators coming to them about the same regulation. As a result, Main Street will be able to breathe again. Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is this: This is a commonsense way of governing that we should see more of in this Chamber. I am proud to support this piece of legislation that passed the committee with wide bipartisan support just last month, and I encourage the whole House to vote in favor of it today. Now, we have had a lot of quotes. I have a quote. ``Business is good and business is getting better. H.R. 4790 moves our economy to new levels like we have never seen in years. Roger Williams, small business owner. Thank you very much.''

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to bring attention to the outstanding achievements of the University of Texas at Austin men's swimming and diving team. For the fourth consecutive year, this team took home the NCAA title. College athletes from around the country dream about competing at the NCAA championships. As student-athletes, this could also mark the peak of their athletic career. In addition to these incredible athletes, I would like to congratulate their coach, Eddie Reese. Coach Reese has the most wins in this sport's history. After 40 seasons at the University of Texas, he has trained athletes to win 14 national titles. Coaches like this don't come around often, and I would like to thank Coach Reese for his dedication to this great university. I would also like to take this time to identify UT seniors on the team: Jonathan Roberts, Brett Ringgold, and Joseph Schooling. As they leave their college days behind, they will always remember this moment, and they will remember this team. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the University of Texas on these impressive accomplishments and simply say: Hook `em. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark Johnson, a fellow Texan, a former marine, a father and a grandfather. On March 17 and 18, Mark completed a double Ironman race across the State of Texas. A double Ironman is a 53.2-mile run, 4.8-mile swim, and 224-mile bike ride. He began in Marble Falls in my district and ended in Lufkin, Texas. When asked why he chose to attempt the event, he answered swiftly: ``For Wendy, my amazing sister who has Down syndrome.'' In addition to honoring his sister and raising awareness, Mark Johnson has pledged all monetary donations to the National Down Syndrome Society. This is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome and where he sits on the board of directors. Today and every day, let us celebrate advocates like Mark, his sister, Wendy, and all individuals with Down syndrome and their families. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to commend my friend and colleague from Maine (Mr. Poliquin) for his leadership on this important issue. H.R. 4566, the Alleviating Stress Test Burdens to Help Investors Act, would help nonbanks not currently under supervision of the Federal Reserve from stress testing requirements. In addition to alleviating burdensome requirements, the bill allows the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to issue regulations requiring financial companies with more than $10 billion in consolidated assets to conduct a periodic analysis of their financial condition, including their liquidity. This legislation would properly tailor Dodd-Frank's stress test requirements in a way that is appropriately focused. This bill retains the SEC's ability to issue stress testing as it believes appropriate. The bill does not limit the Financial Stability Oversight Council's authority to request the SEC to adopt suitable requirements for advisers and funds. Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank the gentleman from Maine for his commitment to this important piece of legislation. I encourage all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill on the floor. In God We Trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to recognize a city in Texas' 25th Congressional District for being named the number one place to live in all of America. That city would be none other than our great State's capital, Austin, Texas. Cities from all over the Nation are scored based on their job market, their value, quality of life, desirability, and net migration. With a population of almost 2 million people and an additional 50 new residents every single day, Austin is one of the fastest growing cities. It is no wonder Austin secured the number one spot. In addition to its unleashed economic potential, young families are relocating to central Texas for something they can't get anywhere else: the ability to experience living in a big city with a booming economy that also provides the warmth and friendliness of a small town is what makes Austin one of a kind. Mom-and-pop shops down the road are able to open their doors, hire more Texans, and pay their employees more due to an overhaul of our Nation's Tax Code. The truth is Austin is just now seeing the fruits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and I am excited to watch Austin continue to thrive because of it. Texas is the greatest State in America, and Austin is its leadoff hitter. May God bless Texas. May God bless this great Nation.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Harris for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to recognize pro-life pregnancy centers and all the good they do for mothers and their unborn children. As a God-fearing father and grandfather, I have always believed that life begins at the moment of conception. No one should ever be forced to promote the abortion of an unborn baby against their will. Rather than protecting free speech, a constitutional right, the Federal Government is extorting speech by forcing these pregnancy centers to contradict their pro-life message. During my time in Congress, I have visited multiple pro-life pregnancy centers around the 25th District of Texas. In particular, I would like to highlight the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center and the Cleburne Pregnancy Center, both of which I have been to. These outstanding centers provide resources, information, and emotional support for those soon-to-be moms. They also provide after- care for moms and their baby, such as supplies, clothing, and education, as we previously heard. Women deserve to know there are better options than abortion and that there are facilities out there to help them. The bottom line, Americans and organizations should not be forced by the government to promote ideas that conflict with their beliefs. As a steadfast pro-life supporter, I will continue advocating for the rights of the unborn and the centers that fight for them. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to talk about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is benefiting Texas, especially folks in the 25th Congressional District that I represent. There are approximately 28 million people lucky enough to call themselves Texans. Of that, I have the great honor of representing hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans who wake up and go to work every day, just like you and me. For 5 years, I have traveled up and down the 25th District of Texas, most recently, just last week, where I visited many local businesses along the way. I have witnessed firsthand the hardships that families and small businesses face day in and day out due to an intrusive Federal Government and overreaching administration. I pledged to these people that I would bring my commonsense business perspective to Washington in order to jump-start this economy, and I am proud to say that I upheld that promise. When I visited these folks last week, there was something different about them. For the first time in a long time, I had businessowners and their employees telling me about the positive impacts coming from our Nation's Tax Code. They were telling me they noticed more money in their most recent paychecks. One man even told me he plans to use his extra money to put into his 401(k) so that he can save even more for his retirement. This means parents can now plan for their future and start putting away money for their kids' college funds. It means companies are adding to their workforce and that those individuals can keep more money in their pockets. Ultimately, these hardworking Texans are seeing more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks. I am proud to be their voice in Washington, and I will continue fighting on their behalf. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3978, the TRID Improvement Act introduced by my colleague from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) and my colleague from Nevada (Mr. Kihuen). This important and overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation, which passed out of the House Financial Services Committee by a vote of 53-5, is a straightforward, commonsense solution that will help hardworking Americans buy a new home or refinance their existing home. Under the CFPB's misnamed ``Know before you owe'' TRID rule, those in the home buying or refinancing process may not actually know everything about the price they are going to pay before closing. Because of the TRID rule and the restrictions placed on the listing of discounted title loan insurance rates on loan estimates, consumers may see one title loan insurance price on their loan estimate and another on their closing form. The TRID rule creates unnecessary confusion, and this bill is a step in the right direction to reducing the burdensome and overreaching authority of the CFPB. I am proud to join this bipartisan effort, but I do wish that the CFPB had been more willing to work with the chorus of voices from both sides of the aisle calling for this change. The home buying experience is complicated enough as it is, and the rationale displayed by the CFPB discourages homeownership and levies unjust penalties for those Americans striving for the dream of homeownership. I am proud to join my colleagues in support of this measure, the TRID Improvement Act. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize a local fire department from Texas' 25th District, the Somervell County Fire Department. They recently had their annual banquet to honor firefighters for their bravery and their valor. This year, Mr. Matt Peelman and Mr. Brandon Fipps received two of the top awards for 2017. Matt was named the Career Firefighter of the Year, and Brandon was selected as the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. Committing one's life to protecting others is no easy task; so to both of these heroes, I want to say thank you. I thank them for their dedication and for putting their life on the line to get everyday Texans out of harm's way. In addition to these two, there are many others at the station who were recognized for their courage: Nathan Huhn, Michael Laviada, Donna Owens, Blaine Stroud, Emma Turner, Jason Sanchez, Jerry Darnell, Ashileen Shepard, Brad Smith, Dakota Stroud, Trevor Crawford, Ben Welch, Fallon Wirsing, Tyler Brown, Kelby Bridwell, David Culp, Nicole Gilbert, Mandy Bradford, Kaine Popejoy, Randy Hurtado, Andrew Vance, and John Mark Thomas. Mr. Speaker, these men and women who serve their local community are a rare find. They are heroes, and I am honored to represent them in the 25th Congressional District of Texas. With that being said, may God bless Texas, may God bless the first responders, and God bless the United States of America. In God We Trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3326, the World Bank Accountability Act. I would like to thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade, Mr. Andy Barr, for his hard work on this piece of legislation and for his leadership on this important issue. H.R. 3326 passed through the Financial Services Committee unanimously, with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 60-0. Mr. Chair, right now, the World Bank's International Development Association, IDA, is an irresponsible benefactor for the world's neediest nations. At the core of my concerns within the World Bank, I take great issue with the Bank's offering employee incentives for approving new loans. The Bank, itself, has even documented that they harvest a culture that encourages loan volume rather than approval based on merit and approval based on need. H.R. 3326 will help eliminate these illogical incentives at the World Bank that prioritize pushing money out the door rather than delivering authentic and helpful solutions. In addition to mass lending from the Bank, careless lending is equally disconcerting and has made it easier for corrupt regimes to abuse their citizens and exploit the money for terrorism-related efforts. To address this issue, H.R. 3326 ensures that the World Bank cannot approve funds for a country that has been classified by the United States as a state sponsor of terrorism, and it demands that the U.S. decline Bank loans to countries that knowingly fail to impose U.N. Security Council sanctions against the North Korean regime. Additionally, this bill will encourage improvements within the World Bank by withholding up to 30 percent of future appropriations for the World Bank's IDA until the Treasury reports that the Bank has undertaken meaningful reforms in order to combat corruption, strengthen management accountability, and undermine violent extremism. By passing this legislation, we require the World Bank to put more faith in free enterprise as opposed to corrupt regimes that abuse the poor. If the World Bank is serious about helping those who need it most, it should make certain that borrowing governments are committed to the welfare of their citizens. The World Bank has been slipping through the cracks far too long, and it is time to implement meaningful and lasting reforms. Once again, I commend Representative Barr for introducing this necessary legislation. I encourage the House to follow the Financial Services Committee's lead by passing H.R. 3326. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of H.R. 2396, the Clerk be directed to make the correction I have placed at the desk.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that in the engrossment of H.R. 4324, the Clerk be directed to insert the word ``and'' after the semicolon in section 3(b)(1) of the bill.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, it is truly a privilege to speak in support of my bill, H.R. 4324, the Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4324 will improve congressional oversight of any financing that Treasury authorizes for aircraft sales to Iran. Every 6 months, Treasury would need to certify to us that finance authorizations would not benefit an Iranian person who is transporting items for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction nor providing transportation for sanctioned entities. Treasury would also have to certify to us that those authorizations don't pose a significant money laundering or terrorism finance risk to the U.S. financial system, and that any banks engaging in this business have appropriate due diligence procedures in place. If the Treasury Department cannot make this certification, the Department must tell us why, and it must explain to Congress the course of action it intends to take. I note that my bill was reported out of the Financial Services Committee last month by a vote of 38-21, with five of my Democratic colleagues voting in its favor. Many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will label this bill as a simple attempt to dismantle the Obama administration's Iran nuclear deal. We have already heard it. Mr. Speaker, this debate is not about U.S. commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. It is not about reimposing nuclear sanctions. It is not about prohibiting these aircraft sales or the financing of these sales. What this legislation is about is providing Congress with information on the implications of these deals so that we can better understand their impact on the integrity of our financial system. I would like to take a step back and discuss how we got to this point and why this legislation is necessary. As most of you know, under the JCPOA, the Obama administration committed the United States to license the sale of commercial aircraft to Iran. In addition to providing licenses for aircraft sales, the licenses also allowed for banks to engage in the financing of these aircraft. All of this was permitted, despite the fact that Iran remained classified as a jurisdiction to primary money laundering concern by the Treasury Department and as the world's foremost state sponsor of terror by the State Department. Let us be abundantly clear on the facts. It was the Obama Treasury Department that highlighted the role that Iran and Iranian aircraft played in the destabilizing activity across the Middle East and in supporting the atrocities committed by the rogue Assad regime in Syria. On September 9, 2012, David S. Cohen, the Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence under President Obama, released the following statement: ``The identification of Iranian aircraft also further highlights Iran's ongoing effort to support the Assad regime's weapons of mass destruction programs and crackdown against the Syrian people.'' This quote followed the Treasury Department's announcement to impose sanctions against entities that support the Assad regime in Syria. So quoting from the same September 9, 2012, Treasury statement: ``As a result of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, foreign financial institutions that knowingly engage in significant transactions with . . . Iran Air, Mahan Air, or Yas Air, including any of 117 aircraft operated by these airlines, risk losing access to the U.S. banking system.'' Mr. Speaker, this week I received a memo from the National Iranian American Council urging members to oppose my bill. This is the same council that opposes President Trump's travel ban, which was recently upheld by a Supreme Court decision of 7-2, and the same organization that took concern with new sanctions imposed on Iran's support for Hezbollah. This memo and the pro-Iran principles that it represents could not be a better endorsement for the Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act. I would ask this to my colleagues on both sides: At what point did we relegate ourselves to negotiating with those who wish us harm? At what point did we prioritize the interest of a rogue government that paints their bombs with sayings like ``Death to Israel'' and ``Death to America''? When did that happen? There are simply two sides to this issue. You can either protect the interests of the United States, her citizens, and the U.S. financial institutions, or you can make important the wishes of the Ayatollah and his revolutionary guard. Which side do you choose to be on? That is the question. I represent the red, white, and blue.