Affirming the nature and importance of the support of the United States for the religious and ethnic minority survivors of genocide in Iraq.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 554, affirming the nature and importance of the support of the United States for the religious and ethnic minority survivors of genocide in Iraq, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution introduced by Representative Slotkin, which shines a much-needed spotlight on the significant contributions of Iraq's religious and ethnic minority communities, as well as the profound suffering they have endured.

Iraq is home to a rich tapestry of communities, each contributing to the nation's cultural heritage. Among them are the Yazidis, Shabak, and Chaldean, Syriac, and Assyrian Christians. These groups are not just a part of Iraq's history, but they are integral to its identity.

The persecution faced by these communities is well-documented, especially during the rise of ISIS. The brutal terrorist group committed unimaginable horrors against Iraq's minorities. The list of atrocities is long: kidnappings, torture, public executions, arbitrary detentions, and systematic rape. The scale of this cruelty led the State Department, under Secretary Kerry in 2016, to formally declare ISIS' actions as genocide and crimes against humanity.

While the territorial defeat of ISIS was achieved through the courageous efforts of the Iraqi Security Forces with critical support from the United States and our international partners, efforts at recovery are far from over.

Many of the communities that suffered most during ISIS' reign of terror continue to face challenges in rebuilding their homes, reclaiming their heritage, and securing representation in Iraq's national fabric.

This bipartisan resolution is a testament to the resilience of these communities and a call to action. It acknowledges the immense suffering they have endured, recognizes their invaluable contributions to Iraqi society, and underscores the need for continued U.S. engagement.

This resolution is not just about remembering the past, but it is about supporting a future where these communities can thrive once again. It emphasizes the importance of rebuilding, not just physically, but also restoring the cultural and historic sites that are central to their identity.

I extend my gratitude to Representatives Slotkin and James for their leadership on this critical issue. Let us stand together in support of this resolution, which not only honors the legacy of Iraq's diverse communities, but also reaffirms our commitment to their future.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin), my good friend and fellow Michigander, the author of this important resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, this resolution shines a critical light on the lives, opportunities, and cultures lost in Iraq due to ISIS' campaign of terror.

The State Department rightfully declared ISIS responsible for genocide in 2016, but Congress had been too late to respond. The Yezidis, Shabak, as well as Chaldean, Syriac, and Assyrian Christians deserve equitable representation in the recorded history of Iraqi society. I am proud to stand with my bipartisan colleagues in supporting Iraqi religious and ethnic minorities who, for too long, have gone unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting H. Res. 554, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 554, a bill affirming the importance of U.S. support for religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq.

Michigan has been home for more than a century to a vibrant Iraqi community, the largest outside the Middle East. Many are Chaldeans, Iraqi Christians who have faced incredible persecution and challenges in recent Iraqi history.

I am very proud to have done this bill with Congressman Moolenaar, Congressman James, and other bipartisan support from the Michigan delegation.

When I traveled to the Middle East as part of a congressional delegation in 2022, I met with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad and Erbil to discuss the challenges of Iraq's Chaldeans and what the U.S. can do to help.

This is on the heels of me being a CIA officer, a Pentagon official, and having done three tours in Iraq alongside the military and seeing these issues up close and personal for myself in 2004, 2006, and 2008.

I took what I heard from that most recent trip back to Washington to work on this resolution, which would put this House on record as supporting the human rights and dignity of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq.

Over the decades, Chaldeans and other religious groups, such as Yezidis, have suffered greatly from the brutality of vicious and violent groups such as ISIS.

ISIS subjugated and carried out countless atrocities against many of these communities, including murder, systematic rape, and kidnapping. As Iraq continues to rebuild after years of conflict and efforts to defeat ISIS, it is critical that U.S. support the security, stability, integration, and political representation of these minorities in their homeland.

This resolution expresses support not just for Iraqi Christians, but for all Iraqi minorities' fundamental rights, security and economic opportunity, community infrastructure, and representation in government.

Mr. Speaker, this is not just an issue of importance to the Chaldeans and other religious minorities living in Iraq, but also to hundreds of thousands of American citizens. Roughly half a million Chaldeans live in the United States, including more than 160,000 in southeast Michigan.

These families are a vibrant, active thread in the fabric of our community. Roughly 60 percent of Michigan's Chaldeans own a business and a sizable fraction own two or more businesses. They support our economy. They are active in our communities. They support churches and schools and foundations, and they are active participants in every aspect of civic life.

These Americans who feel a deep connection to and concern for their ancient homeland are looking to us to speak up for thousands of Iraqis threatened by continued persecution and discrimination. As Americans, they are looking to us to stand up for American values.

Mr. Speaker, I thank again the bipartisan group of Michiganders and other Members who supported this bill and, in particular, Congressmen Moolenaar and James.

This legislation was passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee by an overwhelming bipartisan majority, and I urge my colleagues today to support the same here on the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the

resolution (H. Res. 554) affirming the nature and importance of the support of the United States for the religious and ethnic minority survivors of genocide in Iraq, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan resolution addressing ongoing challenges that face religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq after ISIS' brutal genocide.

ISIS overran wide swaths of Iraq and Syria 10 years ago, subjecting millions of people to their so-called caliphate.

ISIS perpetrated widespread atrocities, including forced religious conversion, kidnapping, slavery, human trafficking, unlawful forced displacement, ethnic cleansing, torture, sexual violence, and sex trafficking. Religious and ethnic minority groups were singled out and subjected to particular cruelty.

The United States repeatedly found that ISIS is responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and other atrocities against religious and ethnic minority groups in Iraq and Syria, including Shia Muslims, Christians, and Yazidis.

Just this year, a Yazidi woman was rescued in Gaza. She had been kidnapped at the age of 11 by ISIS. She was held in captivity for 10 years.

While ISIS no longer rules over these communities, the caliphate left widespread damage, displacement, and trauma. Religious and ethnic minorities continue to face widespread discrimination and displacement in Iraq, undermining efforts to promote their recovery.

Addressing these problems is critical for religious and ethnic communities and for the overall success of the Iraqi State, helping ensure it achieves its full potential as a vibrant, prosperous country.

This resolution reaffirms our commitment to protecting the rights of these religious and ethnic minorities and the need to help them return to their homes and rebuild their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. James), the chair of the Africa Subcommittee.

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

Mr. Speaker, there is still much work to be done to help Iraq and its people heal from the horrors unleashed by ISIS. This is particularly true with respect to the country's religious and ethnic minority communities.

This resolution serves as a commitment to ensure the United States continues to press for progress and to advocate for the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation today, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in voting for this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this very, very important and special bill, H. Res. 554, a resolution affirming America's support for religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq.

A special thank you to Senator-elect Slotkin, Representative Moolenaar, Representative McClain, and Representative Bergman, and, most importantly, the Chaldean community in my district and in southeast Michigan for getting us here.

I am truly blessed to be a part of this, and I am proud to have shepherded this bill through committee.

I vowed since coming to Congress to be a voice not just for the Chaldean community in my district but for all those fighting for religious freedoms abroad. That is why for one of my very first congressional hearings, I questioned Secretary Blinken about the plight and the struggles of Christians and ethnic minorities in Iraq. I believe that advocating for religious liberties abroad is vital to our moral standing not just in the United States but around the world.

This resolution authored by Senator-elect Slotkin expresses more than just America's support for the restoration of the rights and dignities given to religious and ethnic minority communities in Iraq. With untrustworthy actors aligned with Iran and ISIS continuing to be an obstacle to freedom in Iraq, this resolution is a powerful first step.

To my fellow Iraqi Catholic and Christian brothers and sisters, this moment is a long time coming, but more is yet to come.

My hope is that the leadership in Baghdad hears us loud and clear today. Congress is watching, and we stand ready to act.

I appreciate Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks for allowing this resolution to come to the floor. I know our Chaldean community in Sterling Heights and across the State of Michigan have prayed hard and advocated for this very moment.

Mr. Speaker, in this moment here today, with my bipartisan colleagues, we will be able to show Chaldeans here and those around the world who pray for religious freedom that our God truly does answer prayers.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I join my Michigan colleague, Representative Slotkin, in support of H. Res. 554.

This resolution is an important bipartisan affirmation of our support of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq who experience violent persecution for their religious beliefs.

Chaldean Christians are a religious minority in Iraq, and they have been subjected to countless atrocities and genocide over the last decade at the hands of ISIS terrorists.

They have been displaced from their homes, coerced into converting their religion, tortured, and forced into slavery. Churches and other religious sites have been destroyed, and they still face discrimination for their beliefs.

No one should ever be persecuted for their religious beliefs. The Chaldean community has made outstanding contributions to my home State of Michigan. They deserve to know that Congress supports Chaldeans and other religious and ethnic minorities and their human rights here at home and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''