Reaffirming the 40 years of relations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the shared pursuit of economic growth and regional security in Southeast Asia.

Mr. Speaker, today we took up what was intended to be a very noble action on H. Res. 11 to rein in the out-of-control and outrageous actions of so many despots that occupy positions of authority in the United Nations. The United Nations, whether you go back to Libya being in charge of human rights, you have U.N. troops molesting so many females. There are all kinds of problems that have been wrought, and yet the U.N. has the gall to continually show how bigoted it is and how anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli that it is.

It is easy to find, if anyone bothers to check, that the United Nations never asked once for any other country to pony up land, much less demand that other countries like Jordan, who is a good friend of the United States, but the U.N. never said: Look, you are occupying this land that they call Palestine, so you have to give it up. They never did until it was controlled by the Israeli people, thus making clear this is really a bigoted move by the U.N. to constantly slander and slam the nation of Israel.

Also, if one wants to conduct another test to check to see how bigoted, if it is, the U.N. is, you could check on the condemnations by the U.N. for activities of Israel. Compare the facts of those activities and self-defense efforts by Israel and compare them to acts of other nations--the genocide, for example, that even Secretary Kerry, as tough as it was for him to finally admit that there was a genocide of Christians going on in the Middle East.

Is there any outrage by the U.N.? No. In fact, the U.N. head of the refugees who is now the U.N. General Secretary made clear about over a year and a half ago or so that the reason that they weren't helping Christians to the extent that they were helping Muslim refugees is because of the historic importance Christians have in staying where they were--that means where they are being murdered, where they are having their throats slashed, being crucified, tortured, raped, incinerated. The U.N. General Secretary, when he was in charge of the refugee program, thought it was very important to leave Christians in the Middle East so they can be murdered in some of the most heinous and egregious fashions imaginable.

So it was just and proper, to borrow from history, that we condemn the United Nations Resolution 2334 as being an obstacle to peace in Israel. Palestinians have made clear they don't want peace with Israel. They want it eliminated from the map. They name holidays, squares, and all kinds of things for people who go out and kill innocent Jewish children and others just for being Jewish. They reward the families of those who go and blow themselves up, killing, in atrocious fashions, innocent Israeli people. The United Nations turns a blind eye to it since the U.N. has become so racist, so bigoted, and so anti-Israel, the most antiterrorist country in all of the Middle East, including north Africa--although Egypt is of great help in that regard these days, and there are those in Libya who would like to. But after President Obama helped turn Libya into absolute anarchy and chaos, then Egypt is having their problems even coming from Libya.

What has the U.N. had to say about all that? Not really anything because if the Muslim Brotherhood supports it, so does, basically, the U.N., and far too often so has the Obama administration.

That is why, I guess, Israel got the lecture from Secretary John Kerry. Secretary Kerry, even in the days when he talked about the heinous acts of Genghis Khan, never bothered to mention the plight of the poor Palestinians before 1967 when they were under control of the most non-Israeli people you could imagine. There has been no discussion about that, only leveling really bigoted allegations at Israel.

So we have H. Res. 11 today, and I was thrilled because it meant that I was going to be able to come to the floor and vote to condemn the U.N. passage of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334.

Unfortunately, as some of my friends here in Congress have pointed out, I am a bit anal at times. I actually want to read the things that we are going to vote on. So I got my copy of H. Res. 11, immediately noting that, in the very first whereas, it says the United States has long supported a two-state solution. It does say ``sustainable two- state solution.'' It says: ``Whereas since 1993, the United States has facilitated direct, bilateral negotiations between both parties toward achieving a two-state solution . . . .''

Well, it is the truth that President Clinton twisted the arm of the Israeli Prime Minister and convinced him to basically give Arafat almost everything he wanted. Now, if you believe what Scripture says about Moses going and pleading to Pharaoh to let the Jewish people, the children of Israel, go, we are told that God hardens Pharaoh's heart so that He could make a big demonstration of His power and glory down the road. Although there was suffering that came--great suffering--ultimately, incredible miracles were performed as a result of his hardened heart.

I think it is likely that when Arafat got everything he wanted-- almost everything he wanted--in the offer from Israel, I thank God that Arafat turned him down. For anybody that has been in the military and goes to Israel, you can see readily, if Arafat had accepted what the Prime Minister of Israel had been willing, finally, to offer, it would have virtually made Israel indefensible unless they were using nuclear weapons or the threat of nuclear weapons.

Israel needs to be able to defend itself. King David was ruling from Hebron in the year around 1020 B.C. to around 1012 B.C. Then he moved, and he was ruling over Israel. What is now called the West Bank was actually called Israel--I mean, it was part of the nation of Israel. Solomon had control, but he did so from the City of David because that is where, up to Jerusalem, that David had moved the capital from Hebron, which is also where Abraham and Sarah are buried.

I have also visited the tomb of David's father, Jesse, that is there in Hebron. To be told: Oh, no, this needs to be Palestinian lands. The reason some of us think that Hebron, Judea, and Samaria should be Palestinian lands is because 1,600 years after David ruled from Hebron and then Jerusalem, Mohammed came along. Some say it was a vision, some say a dream. Some say he actually, during one night, was taken by a winged horse or donkey and flown to Jerusalem. Some say he actually got there and back to bed before morning. Whatever the case, 1,600 years before that did or didn't happen, David was ruling over that whole country.

There is no one alive today descended from any occupants of the Promised Land, the land of Israel, descended from people who lived in that land predating King David and King Saul before him, King Solomon after him--nobody. Nobody alive today has a prior claim. There is nobody, no country, from whom the United Nations has demanded a secession of land back to people that attacked that country and the land was taken back in a defensive mode in protection from the attack.

So at page 3 of our H. Res. 11, it points out that the U.N. resolution is a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution. At the bottom of page 5, it says: ``A durable and sustainable peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians will come only through direct bilateral negotiations between the parties resulting in a Jewish, democratic state living side-by-side next to a demilitarized Palestinian state in peace and security.''

Mr. Speaker, there cannot be peace and security in the Middle East when a people are allowed to occupy an area, and those people continue, with the encouragement of the United Nations, with John Kerry and this President, to conduct intensive terrorism on the people of Israel and we continue to condemn the victims of that terrorism.

You can't have peace in a land where the most powerful nation-- possibly the most powerful nation up to now. We were at one time. Our Navy is down, I think, to pre-World War I standards, and our troops are down below pre-World War II. But at one time, we were the most powerful nation. The most powerful or near most powerful nation is taking up for the victims and encouraging that the victims give away more of the land that they have already given so much of to those who are inflicting terror upon them. It is like my friends on the far left, constantly complaining about bullies, who never had been bullied like I was as a small child because I was very small in elementary school.

I got beat up a lot, and I defended myself, but it didn't matter. When people are coming after you that are a foot and a half taller than you are and they flunked two grades, you are not going to come out well.

My fifth grade teacher, after I got beat up trying to get back my football I got for Christmas, took me up in front of the class. My nose is still bleeding, dripping down my shirt. She said: I want everybody to see what happens when the little boys try to play with the big boys.

She always took up for the bullies. And that is what this administration has been doing and this is what this United Nations has been doing: taking up for the terrorist bullies.

I am amazed that the nation of Israel has held back all hell breaking loose on the Gaza Strip because of the continued assaults day after day, sending rockets into Israel, Israel spending millions of dollars to protect themselves against the constant attack from the Gaza Strip.

And what happens?

They try to protect themselves with a legitimate blockade to make sure nobody is taking rockets in, and the U.N. and world opinion goes nuts over that.

Page 6 of our resolution we voted on today goes on to say that the House of Representatives calls for United Nations Security Council 2334 to be repealed or fundamentally altered so that it is no longer one- sided and anti-Israel.

Here is my problem again. B, it allows all final status issues toward a two-state solution be resolved and have direct negotiations between the parties.

Nobody at the U.N., if we are a part of it, and nobody in the United States administration should even mention the little phrase ``two-state solution.'' This body should not even mention in a resolution that we are in any way endorsing a two-state solution.

I know there are a lot of Christians that aren't as familiar with the Bible, perhaps, as they will be one day, but my friend, Joel Rosenberg, pointed out numerous times in the book of Joel, chapter 3:

For look. In those days and at that time I will return the

exiles to Judah and Jerusalem. Then I will gather all the

nations. I will bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

I will enter into judgment against them there concerning my

people Israel, who are my inheritance, whom they scattered

among the nations.

Then it lists the number one grievance that the God of the Bible, the God I believe in, had against those nations he is going to rain down only hell judgment on. The number one grievance is: they partitioned my land. They divided my land, the promised land.

When the United States Congress embraces, demands that Israel be divided into separate states instead of being able to live in, peacefully, the land that was occupied and promised over 3,000 years ago, I think we are making a big mistake. That is why I had to vote ``no'' on the resolution.

Now just as our leadership rushed this resolution to the floor, I am hopeful they will rush H. Res. 311 to the floor. I filed it today, this afternoon. H. Res. 311 is very basic. It says:

``To withhold United States assessed and voluntary contributions to the United Nations, and for other purposes.

``Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

``Section 1. Short title.

``This Act may be cited as the `Refusing to Assist Paying for United Nations Actions Against Israel Act' ''.

United States assessed involuntary contributions to the United Nations. That is section 2. And the operative wording says:

``No funds are authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for assessed or voluntary contributions of the United States to the United Nations or to any organ, specialized agency, commission, treaty or treaty body, or other affiliated body of the United Nations . . . `'

It goes on: `` . . . until such time as United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, regarding Israel's Settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, is repealed in its entirety.''

Then, section 3 says: ``No funds are authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available to pay interest on assessed or voluntary contributions that are withheld under this Act.''

So the purpose of that is I am hoping and praying that this body will not just pay lip service to a U.N. resolution, and actually embrace, as John Kerry, apparently, was saying that day, not much difference between AIPAC's position in supporting this resolution. He may not have mentioned they would support the resolution, but AIPAC's position and John Kerry's position. If you look at what is in the resolution, he may have something there.

This would actually put some teeth into it. This is something that would send a message to the United Nations and the nations around the world that if you are going to continue to be so anti-Israel, so bigoted, so racist, so anti-Jewish, then the United States is not going to continue to fund your outrageous, bigoted activities, your lush, lavish lifestyle.

I would think if we could pass this, the United Nations delayed in withdrawing that resolution or rescinding it, then that should ultimately lead to our denial of any visas to diplomats of the United Nations. Then, once that occurs, apparently under the deed to the United Nations, it was only for such time as the headquarters in New York--is the main headquarters of the United Nations. So if they can't get diplomats there, they will have to move the headquarters elsewhere and that land would be ceded back to the foundation.

Hopefully, if we will go ahead and do something that has teeth in it and not embrace language that will be fatal to this nation of Israel, we can make a difference. That can bring peace in the world. Terrorists only understand power, and sometimes power is conveyed in the way of money.

We should not be funding a United Nations that is so bigoted and so hateful to the nation of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 311) recognizing that for 50 years the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has worked toward stability, prosperity, and peace in Southeast Asia, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Congressman Joaquin Castro and Congresswoman Ann Wagner for introducing this timely measure.

This is an important but, frankly, often overlooked part of the world. This is Southeast Asia.

Mr. Speaker, Southeast Asian nations came together 50 years ago to promote regional cooperation. Their goal was to achieve greater stability and peace and prosperity by creating the Association of South East Asian Nations. We know this as ASEAN today.

This year marks their 50th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of relations between the United States and ASEAN.

This year, President Trump will visit the region for the first time in November for the East Asia and ASEAN summits in the Philippines, and the local leadership are going to be meeting in Vietnam.

Today, ASEAN is a force for peace and prosperity in the world, and the relationship the U.S. has with ASEAN has benefited both sides diplomatically, economically, and in global security.

ASEAN is the fourth largest goods export market for the United States, and we are ASEAN's fourth largest trading partner. As the second fastest-growing economy in Asia, with a combined economy of $2.5 trillion, the importance of the ASEAN market for the United States is considerable.

Mr. Speaker, we are working with ASEAN to address security challenges and threats, especially in the fight against terrorism, with the recognition now of the emergence of ISIS fighting forces in the region. Last month, Secretary of State Tillerson voiced support for increased cooperation on border security, information sharing to track individuals, and routing out and finding the source of terror financing networks, finding their safe havens.

With so many challenges in the region today, as we look at the democratic backsliding in Cambodia, the plight of the Rohingya in Burma, it is more important than ever that we engage Southeast Asian nations in the ASEAN grouping to solve regional problems.

We must also cooperate with ASEAN on the threat of North Korea and have better coordination on maritime activities with regard to security, environmental impact, and border and fishing regulations.

For all of these reasons today, the House of Representatives reaffirms the importance of the U.S.-ASEAN partnership and recommits to continuing engagement and cooperation.

Passage of this resolution demonstrates our support for ASEAN as an institution and the United States' strategic relationship with Southeast Asian nations.

I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), an esteemed member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the primary cosponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

The first point I would make is I think our ranking member, Mr. Eliot Engel, makes a very strong point about the importance of engagement.

I think, as a second point, U.S.-ASEAN engagement has trended up in recent years. I think it remains strong. I think it has a bright outlook. In 2015, the U.S.-ASEAN relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership, an important step by the U.S.

2016 marked two important firsts: the first U.S.-ASEAN summit at Sunnylands, and the first ever visit of a sitting U.S. President to Laos. As an important economic and security partner, ASEAN shares the U.S. pursuit of regional stability through rules, through order, through the peaceful dispute settlement process, as our ranking member pointed out. This resolution signals our resolve to maintain and deepen our collaboration with our friends and allies in Southeast Asia.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of our colleagues here to join us in support of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, Wednesday, September 27, 2017, Thursday, September 28, 2017, Monday, October 2, 2017, Tuesday, October 3, 2017, and Wednesday, October 4, 2017, I was unable to vote on any legislative measures due to a foot injury. Had I been present, I would have voted the following:

(Roll no. 532) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 2824--Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, and H.R. 2792--Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 533) On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2824--Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, and H.R. 2792--Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 534) On approval of the journal, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 535) On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Pascrell of New Jersey Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 2824--Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 536) On motion to recommit with instructions to H.R. 2824-- Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 537) On passage of H.R. 2824--Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 538) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 3823--Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 539) On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 3823--Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 540) On passage of H. Res. 311--Recognizing that for 50 years the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has worked toward stability, prosperity, and peace in Southeast Asia, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 541) On motion to recommit with instructions to H.R. 3823-- Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 542) On passage of H.R. 3823--Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 543) On passage of H.R. 2792--Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2017, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 544) On passage of H.R. 1547--Udall Park Land Exchange Completion Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 545) On passage of H.R. 965--Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park Redesignation Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 546) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 36--Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 547) On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 36--Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 548) On motion to recommit with instructions to H.R. 36-- Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 549) On passage of H.R. 36--Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 550) On passage of S. 782--PROTECT Our Children Act, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 551) On ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H. Con. Res. 71--FY2018 Budget Resolution, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 552) On adoption of the rule providing for consideration of H. Con. Res. 71--FY2018 Budget Resolution, had I been present I would have voted yes.

(Roll no. 553) On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Grijalva of Arizona Substitute Amendment No. 1 to H. Con. Res. 71--FY2018 Budget Resolution, had I been present I would have voted no.

(Roll no. 554) On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. Scott of Virginia Substitute Amendment No. 2 to H. Con. Res. 71--FY2018 Budget Resolution, had I been present I would have voted no.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume, and I rise in support of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, let me start by thanking the authors of this resolution, two valued members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Castro from Texas and Mrs. Wagner from Missouri.

In addition to bringing this legislation forward, these two lawmakers established the first ever Congressional ASEAN Caucus. I am grateful for their leadership helping to advance American interests in the Asia Pacific.

Part of ensuring America's strong role in that region is our work with ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations. This organization has worked to promote stability, prosperity, and peace among the countries of Southeast Asia. It is in our own strategic interest to see stronger countries, closer partnership, healthier economies, so our own success in Asia is closely tied to the success of ASEAN and its members.

This resolution underscores the accomplishments of ASEAN as it marks its 50th anniversary. It sends a signal to our partners and friends in Southeast Asia that the United States is committed to peace and prosperity in the region, and it puts Congress on record saying that, in this challenging time, the United States must remain engaged around the world, particularly in the Asia Pacific.

The administration's budget proposed a 46 percent cut to assistance in East Asia and the Pacific. I think this would be a grave mistake. What kind of impact would that have on American-backed initiatives that are having a positive impact? What message does it send to the countries that we depend on as partners?

Rather than drawing back, America should be even more engaged in the Asia Pacific. This measure reaffirms our commitment to America's leadership in the region.

I want to end by thanking the authors, and I want to compliment Chairman Royce, who knows more about this region of the world than virtually anybody in Congress, and has been to that part of the world-- I have gone with him many times--and the United States Congress has shown the ability to work with countries for the betterment of their people, for the betterment of our relationship with them.

Mr. Speaker, this measure reaffirms our commitment to America's leadership in the region. I thank the authors, I thank Chairman Royce, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro), who is the author of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

The Asia Pacific presents the perfect case of what might happen if the United States withdraws from the world. In recent years, our focus there, especially working with ASEAN and its members, has really helped to promote growth and stability in that region of the world, to enhance human rights, and the rule of law.

It is important for us to stay engaged. If we draw back, it is pretty clear that China would be happy to fill the void, and I guarantee the values we consider critical to foreign policy, democracy, justice, and equality would not be part of the agenda in Beijing. We need to stay engaged in Asia and around the world. We need to demonstrate that American leadership is a sure thing.

The resolution before us today will provide much needed reassurance to our partners and friends in Southeast Asia. Even Vietnam works with us. I remember, and others here remember, when we had the Vietnam war. Now we have so many Vietnam Americans in our country, and they help to really be good citizens and really help to show why it is important for us to keep engaged in that part of the world.

We will underscore the important role ASEAN stands to play, just as it has in the last 50 years. Again, it is important to reassure our partners and friends in Southeast Asia--I mentioned Vietnam, but all the other countries that belong to ASEAN.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this measure. I thank Chairman Royce, I urge all Members to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership and support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 311, the resolution I was honored to introduce with my colleague Representative Castro, to commemorate the Association of South East Asian Nations' 50th anniversary, and the 40th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations.

We intend for this resolution to raise awareness within and outside of Congress about Southeast Asia's critical role in the global order. Southeast Asia has tremendous cultural, political, historical, and religious diversity.

The Association of South East Asian Nations, known as ASEAN, was formed in 1967, in part, to create a bulwark against communism in the region among the five founding nations.

Today, ASEAN's goals have evolved, and the region is experiencing tremendous growth. ASEAN now includes 10 major countries in Southeast Asia, which together have established a major regional economic integration agenda.

ASEAN is our fourth largest goods exports market. $102 billion of U.S. goods and services are exported to ASEAN, meaning this market rivals our $113 billion market in China.

According to the ASEAN Matters for America report, 20 U.S. States send over $1 billion in goods exports to ASEAN annually, and over half of the U.S. congressional districts export over $100 million to ASEAN each year. These numbers are astounding, and they will only grow, Mr. Speaker.

In January, I cofounded the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on ASEAN, along with my partner Representative Castro. The caucus acknowledges America's strategic partnership with ASEAN and attests that America must be the foremost trade and defense partner for ASEAN countries.

H. Res. 311 was one of the caucus' first initiatives. The resolution encourages the enhancement of economic and defense cooperation with ASEAN. It reaffirms the U.S. commitment to continue joint efforts with ASEAN to halt human smuggling and human trafficking and urges ASEAN to improve assistance to refugees and migrants.

Standing alongside our ASEAN peers is important this fall, given the rise of Chinese aggression in the South China Sea; the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Burma; the need to seriously engage ASEAN leaders on our North Korean efforts; the typhoon and flooding affecting the region; the enormous investment opportunities; and

the upcoming ASEAN summit that the President will attend in November.

I am grateful that the Speaker and the chairman, Chairman Royce, support our efforts to engage ASEAN, and I look forward to watching H. Res. 311 pass the U.S. House of Representatives.