Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST), a non-partisan, non- governmental educational organization, that has been introducing Americans across the country to our Nation's diplomatic history for 40 years through its diplomatic oral history collection, book program, and other educational and outreach initiatives.

In 1986, ADST began as the vision of then-Director of the Foreign Service Institute Stephen Low and Ambassador Richard Parker, with a mission to support the Institute's work. At the same time, newly retired Foreign Service Officer Charles Stuart Kennedy conceived the idea of recording oral histories of retired American diplomats and began capturing their experiences and insights. In 1988, Parker invited Kennedy to incorporate his oral history program into the Association's work, and ADST, as we know it today, was formed.

In 1995, the ADST-DACOR book program was launched as a ``service to the Foreign Service.'' The goal was to help Foreign Service Officers write and publish books about diplomacy. Margery Boichel Thompson became ADST's Publishing Director, and under her expert guidance, the ADST-DACOR Diplomats and Diplomacy Book Series was born. The Memoirs and Occasional Papers series soon followed, then ADST's own imprint: Arlington Hall Press. Under Thompson's leadership, the ADST book program has grown into a respected source of books on diplomacy and the Foreign Service, with over 120 books, including many award winners.

For more than three decades, the Foreign Affairs Oral History Program has been ADST's flagship initiative. With more than 3,100 oral histories, publicly available on the ADST website and at the Library of Congress, it captures over 100 years of U.S. diplomatic history and engagement with the world. Rich in historical insights and lessons learned, the archive has become a national treasure for congressional offices, current and aspiring diplomats, scholars, educators, students, and the broader American public.

For four decades, the diplomatic practitioners and oral history experts who make up the ADST team and the hundreds of interns they have taken under their wings have helped preserve the experiences of American diplomacy for future generations.

Whether through collecting and archiving oral history accounts, editing book manuscripts, sharing our Nation's diplomatic history with the American public, or supporting the National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC), ADST's work grew from a simple vision into a dedicated and professional foreign affairs organization, With deep optimism, ADST will carry its mission forward into the next 40 years, ensuring the experiences and lessons of American diplomacy continue to be collected, preserved, and shared.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Juhie Parikh, a student at Inderkum High School in Sacramento, for winning my office's essay contest commemorating America's 250th anniversary.

As our Nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence, students across my district were invited to reflect on what America means to them. Juhie's essay stood out for its thoughtful reflection on community, belonging, and unity.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share her essay in her own words:

As I look out onto my street in a Sacramento suburb, I see

a lovely Chinese family with two daughters achieving their

dreams in college, a Black family with two daughters in high

school with me, a Mexican family with three children that

love playing soccer, college students renting a house, three

generations of a White family and their cute dog named Liesel

who pass out homemade cinnamon rolls every Christmas to each

house, and my own Indian immigrant family. This isn't just a

show of diversity, but unity.

To me, America is this street.

It is easy to look at a country and only see its fractures

and divisions. America might have many imperfections, but

that is not all it is. What I see from my window tells a

different story, one that feels personal to me.

What strikes me most about my neighborhood isn't our

differences. It is that we don't care about how different we

are. The kids kick their soccer ball into the street, and

everyone navigates around it without complaint. The college

students wave. Liesel trots over to anyone who will scratch

her ears, noticing their kindness first before their

backgrounds. At Christmas, cinnamon rolls arrive at every

door, not just ones that look familiar. These little details,

repeated daily, are what a culture is actually made of.

My dad came to America first, alone, for his job, building

the foundation to raise a family here. My mom followed him,

leaving behind everything familiar to join him in a country

still new to both of them. This risk is not unique to us.

Nearly every family on my street has their own version: a

sacrifice made, a life turned upside down, a bet placed on

this country. And somewhere along the way, all of those

separate stories merged into one shared street.

This shared life revealed itself most clearly on the day

Liesel passed away. I had once been small enough that the

Great Dane and I were nearly the same size, the two of us

growing up together. She had belonged to one family, but in

truth, she belonged to all of us. When she was gone, every

family came to the door. Some brought food, some simply came

to honor her memory. An entire street grieved together, and I

understood that what we had built was not just proximity. It

was genuine care.

This care is the truest thing I know about America. We are

so defined by our differences, our backgrounds, our

languages, or our histories. But on my street, those things

are only the beginning of the story, not the end of it.

Similarly, America's story is not finished either. To me,

America means possibility, the possibility that people from

every corner of the world can land on the same street and

become part of each other's lives. It is not a perfect

country. But it keeps producing diverse streets like mine.

And that is enough to believe in.

Recognizing 20th Anniversary of Citrus Heights Police Department

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 20th anniversary of the Citrus Heights Police Department.

For two decades, the men and women of the department have served the Citrus Heights community with dedication, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to public safety. Every day, they work to keep families safe, respond in moments of crisis, and strengthen trust across the community.

I was proud to help secure $540,000 in Federal funding for the department's emergency communication enhancements project to upgrade emergency communications to ensure first responders can communicate reliably during emergencies, coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions, and keep Citrus Heights residents safe when every second counts.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chief Alexander Turcotte and every officer, dispatcher,

and staff member for their service and sacrifice. Their work reflects the very best of public service and dedication to our community.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2505, the Block the Use of Transatlantic Technology in Iranian Made Drones Act.

I thank my colleague from Massachusetts, Representative Keating, for his leadership in advancing bipartisan efforts to counter Iran's drone program, a threat that continues to hound Ukraine, and now our own forces and allies in the Middle East.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Iran has exported thousands of Shahed drones to the Russian military, fueling attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians.

Now, Iranian drones continue to threaten and damage critical energy, military, and civilian infrastructure across the Middle East.

Most recently, Iranian drones struck Kuwait International Airport, heavily damaging a passenger terminal, killing one person, wounding dozens more, and briefly closing the airfield.

H.R. 2505 closes critical gaps in enforcement and aligns our intelligence and interdiction policies with our national security interests. I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill to help ensure that the United States and European technologies smuggled by illicit intermediaries don't fuel Iran's drone program.

Mr. Speaker, this bill closes a critical gap in enforcement to ensure that U.S. and European technologies don't fuel Iran's drone program.

This is a commonsense bill that will defend civilians and protect our allies and partners, and I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3429, the U.S.-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues Representatives Wilson, Kelly, Castro, Smith, and the late Honorable Gerry Connolly, co-chairs of the Korea and Japan caucuses, for introducing this bill with me.

Congressman Connolly was a tireless advocate for America's alliances and a strong believer in the power of trilateral cooperation between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. I am proud to see the House continuing his important work today.

The Indo-Pacific is at the center of America's economic and strategic future. In the region, the United States

faces a complex array of challenges, including authoritarian aggression, economic coercion, and emerging security threats.

Our ability to address these challenges requires strong alliances and close coordination with our partners.

The trilateral relationship between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea is one of the most strategically significant partnerships that we have.

These are two of our closest allies, democracies that share our values, interests, and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The 2023 Camp David Leaders' Summit marked a historic step forward in trilateral cooperation, leading to expanded collaboration on military exercises, ballistic missile defense, cybersecurity development, finance, maritime security, and science and technology.

Strong partnerships need strong institutions. Since the Camp David summit, all three countries have experienced changes in executive leadership. That reality underscores why we must create mechanisms that ensure trilateral cooperation endures beyond any single administration.

This is exactly what H.R. 3429 seeks to accomplish. The bill codifies an annual inter-parliamentarian dialogue among the United States Congress, Japan's National Diet, and South Korea's National Assembly. It creates a formal mechanism for lawmakers from all three countries to meet regularly and coordinate on issues including defense, economic security, public health, and emerging technologies.

The legislation establishes a bipartisan and bicameral congressional delegation to participate in these discussions, ensuring that congressional engagement remains consistent and sustained over time.

Most importantly, this bill helps institutionalize trilateral cooperation so that our partnership continues to grow, regardless of political transitions in any of the three countries.

The bill sends a clear message: The United States is committed to long-term cooperation with our allies in Japan and South Korea. It recognizes that our trilateral partnership is not simply a response to the current challenges but a strategic investment in a more secure, prosperous, and stable Indo-Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, diplomacy is key to peace because we are stronger together with our allies. Whether it is the challenges posed by North Korea or the People's Republic of China, trilateral cooperation is one of the critical ways to ensure that America and our two closest allies in Asia are working hand in hand toward our common interests and advancement of peace and prosperity in the region. Congressional engagement with Japan and Korea will sustain long-term support and resources for trilateral cooperation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this measure. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill to reauthorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, or USCIRF, through fiscal year 2028.

Since its establishment 28 years ago, USCIRF has served as an independent, bipartisan watchdog monitoring conditions on the ground and providing policy recommendations to Congress and the administration.

Its work reinforces the principles reflected in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and helps ensure that our advocacy for religious freedom is consistent, credible, and universal.

True religious liberty cannot mean protection for only a favored few. It extends to all people.

A consistent defense of freedom of thought, consciousness, religion, and belief, or nonbelief, strengthens our voice globally and advances global stability, security, and prosperity.

When governments suppress religious belief, broader repression often follows. In many parts of the world, severe restrictions on religion are an early warning sign of authoritarian consolidation and instability.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, we need to reauthorize this commission so they can continue to do their good work.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, reauthorizing USCIRF would ensure continuity in its important work. Protecting religious freedoms abroad advances both our values and interests, and it promotes stability and respect for fundamental rights. Join me in supporting this bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the PEACE Act.

Acts of anti-Semitism are on the rise globally. This is also true in Europe, where increasingly vocal fringe political movements, particularly far-right movements, are emboldened by increased political discourse on both sides of the Atlantic that harkens back to the unacceptable political rhetoric of old.

Combating anti-Semitism has long been a priority for both Democratic and Republican administrations and has been a central element of U.S. foreign policy for years.

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the State Department should assess and address the threat of anti-Semitism in Europe and requires consultation with Congress on addressing these threats.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I support this measure. I encourage all of my colleagues to do so, as well, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5248, and I thank Representative Young Kim and Chairman Mast for working to move this package of economic diplomacy measures in a bipartisan manner.

This bill highlights the critical importance of the State Department's E family of bureaus, which engage in critical diplomacy related to energy and supply chains around the world. They help enhance America's economic security by engaging in bilateral and multilateral cooperation on issues ranging from critical minerals to space to our oceans and the environment.

The bill codifies economic diplomacy elements and functions at the State Department. The bill establishes a Bureau for Energy Security and Diplomacy and a new Assistant Secretary for Sanctions Policy to coordinate and strengthen sanctions policies at the State Department.

It codifies existing bureaus, such as the Water, Environment, and Space Affairs Bureau, the Economic and Business Affairs Bureau, as well as the Office of the Chief Economist and the Office of Subnational Diplomacy.

Taken together, this bill will make economic statecraft a more central part of the State Department and elevate the importance of economic security and commercial diplomacy as critical elements of U.S. foreign policy.

Mr. Speaker, I support this measure, and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of passage of H.R. 6230, a bill that seeks to apply standard International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, property-blocking sanctions against a set of Iranian religious and government figures, as well as the institutions they represent, who have publicly threatened the life of the President of the United States and allied leaders.

No matter my disagreement with the President and his policies, these threats are unacceptable.

The bill also includes reasonable waiver authorities that allow the executive branch to scale these sanctions up or down, preserving diplomatic leverage.

To be clear, many of the sanctions' targets, and in some cases their entire networks, are already subject to U.S. sanctions under current authorities. Additional listings may feel satisfying, but they will not on their own cause a meaningful change in Iran's calculus or behavior.

Sanctions by themselves are not a strategy, and they are not a substitute for one.

What we need from the Trump administration is an end to this costly war, followed by a clear articulation on an Iran strategy that protects the American people, supports our partners, and restores credible diplomacy.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill because threats made against the United States President and others by those this legislation targets are completely unacceptable.

I encourage my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7037, the Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies Act, or the DOMINANCE Act.

Over the past year, through hearings, briefings, and engagement with industry, government, and our international partners, one fact has become increasingly clear: Securing reliable access to critical minerals is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it is an American issue.

Today, the People's Republic of China controls roughly 90 percent of global rare earth processing capacity. That concentration creates a strategic vulnerability for the United States and our allies, and Beijing has demonstrated its willingness to leverage that dominance through export restrictions and other forms of economic coercion.

The United States must continue expanding domestic mining, processing, refining, and recycling capacity. However, building secure and resilient supply chains cannot be accomplished by the United States acting alone. We need stronger partnerships with trusted allies and partners. We need coordinated investment strategies, and we need a whole-of-government approach that aligns our diplomatic, development, and economic tools to reduce dependence on vulnerable supply chains.

This is exactly what the DOMINANCE Act does. The bill establishes a Bureau of Energy Security and Diplomacy at the Department of State, led by a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary. This Bureau will serve as the focal point for U.S. international energy and critical minerals policy, ensuring greater coordination across agencies and stronger engagement with allies and partners.

This diplomatic capacity is increasingly important in a world where geopolitical instability, such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, can disrupt energy markets with significant economic consequences for our country and our constituents.

Second, the legislation formally authorizes the United States' participation in the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement, or FORGE. FORGE builds upon the successful work of the Biden administration's Minerals Security Partnership by bringing together like-minded countries to coordinate investments, share information, and advance strategic partnerships and projects that strengthen supply chain resilience.

Authorizing U.S. participation ensures that America remains at the table, working with our partners to diversify sources of critical minerals and reduce reliance on strategic competitors.

Third, the bill creates energy security pacts that align the capabilities of the State Department, the Development Finance Corporation, EXIM, USTDA, MCC, the Department of Commerce, and other agencies in support of strategic energy and mineral projects overseas.

These partnerships will help mobilize private sector investment, strengthen economic resilience, support developing economies, and counter efforts by authoritarian governments to use economic dependence as a tool of coercion.

The legislation also invests in the workforce needed to secure our energy future. It expands educational and workforce development opportunities through initiatives such as the Critical Minerals Mining Fellowship Program and the Visiting Mining Scholars Program, helping develop the expertise needed to support secure and sustainable mineral supply chains.

Lastly, the bill strengthens U.S. diplomatic and national security capacity by expanding Foreign Service Institute training on energy and critical minerals issues and by codifying a special adviser for critical minerals and supply

chains on the National Security Council to help coordinate a whole-of- government strategy.

Taken together, these provisions represent a comprehensive approach to one of the most important strategic challenges facing our country.

The DOMINANCE Act sends a clear message that the United States is committed to working with allies and partners to build secure, diversified, and resilient critical mineral supply chains. It also provides the certainty that businesses and investors need to make long- term investments in transparent, sustainable, and secure energy and mineral projects around the world.

I thank Chairwoman Young Kim for her partnership on this important bill. I am proud that this bill received a unanimous vote in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, this legislation will strengthen critical mineral supply chains by bolstering U.S. cooperation with our allies and partners, instituting needed reforms at the State Department, and making our supply chains more resilient and less susceptible to the type of choke holds that the PRC has employed against us.

The DOMINANCE Act is a critical step forward.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill. I thank the partnership of Chairwoman Kim as well as Chairman Mast and all the others who put this legislation together.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a bill I co-led with Representative Zinke regarding the promotion of multicountry defense article purchases, which can result in lower prices, greater efficiencies, and interoperability for our allies and partners.

While most foreign defense sales are conducted by individual countries as purchasers, multicountry purchases can provide more competitive pricing, coordination, and other benefits, including for smaller countries that are less frequent purchasers, as well as multinational alliances.

This bill directs the Secretary of State to develop and implement a strategy to encourage U.S. foreign partners to participate in the foreign military sales, FMS, and direct commercial sales, DCS, processes on a multinational basis.

The bill also includes reporting requirements providing Congress with details on this strategy and its implementation. While multinational purchases are not currently prohibited by statute, this bill requires a strategy for socializing, promoting, and making available said options for multinational cases to purchasing countries and an accompanying report to Congress.

This will be beneficial to both the U.S. and our partners and allies and provides helpful additional information to Congress as we conduct necessary oversight over this initiative. Therefore, I am pleased to support it, and I encourage my colleagues to do so, as well.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill will promote multicountry defense article purchases that will, in practice, lower prices, boost interoperability, and provide other benefits. It will help streamline these purchases, including for multinational alliances and smaller countries. I support this bill and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7668, a bipartisan bill designed to make sure the United States is clear-eyed about the threats from Russia and the PRC in Georgia as well as whether Georgia remains committed to a relationship with the United States and Europe centered around shared values and interests.

In this spirit, I thank my good friend Representative Wilson for his tireless work in support of the Georgian people and for bringing forward this legislation which builds on his work on the MEGOBARI Act.

In recent years, the current Georgian Dream Government, as well as foreign malign influence from Russia and China in Georgia, have threatened Georgia's hard-fought democratic gains, corrupted some of its State institutions, and caused a rift in the U.S.-Georgia relations and between the Georgian Government and its people.

This legislation, along with the MEGOBARI Act, that this body passed with overwhelming bipartisan support last year is a response to this deterioration. The goal is to let the Georgian people know that we stand by them in their quest for democracy, respect for their rights, and deeper integration in the Euro-Atlantic community.

This legislation ensures we are clear-eyed about what that continued support from the U.S. to Georgia will require and provides a framework for appropriate cooperation with the Georgian Government going forward.

I am pleased with the bipartisan work on this bill and look forward to its passage.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7668 does not seek to malign the Georgian government but, rather, demonstrate to the people of Georgia the United States remains committed to its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank my good friend Representative Wilson for his steadfast support of the Georgian people and hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Ranking Member Meeks' legislation, H.R. 6338, the Stop Illegal Fishing Act.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a threat to the economic security, environment, and sovereignty of small Island nations, including our partners in the Pacific Islands. For many Pacific Island nations, the ocean is their greatest national resource. Fisheries support livelihoods, government revenues, and the well-being of communities. Yet, too often, foreign vessels engage in illegal fishing practices that deplete fish stocks, undermine local economies, and erode the ability of Pacific nations to manage their own maritime resources.

These activities can also fuel broader instability and coercive behavior in a region that is central to America's strategic interests.

The United States has made a commitment to deepen our partnership with Pacific Island countries and to support a free, open, and resilient Pacific. By strengthening consequences for those who engage in illegal fishing, this legislation helps protect marine resources, supports sustainable fisheries, and stand with our Pacific partners as they defend their economic futures.

Mr. Speaker, illegal fishing is an issue around the world. Countries like China, Iran, and Russia are willfully or, at best, negligently violating international law, undermining human rights, and hurting communities for their own benefit. It is time to put a stop to this.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Stop Illegal Fishing Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, serving communities in Sacramento and Placer Counties.

On December 1, 2000, the American River Fire District and the Sacramento County Fire Protection District reorganized to form what we now know as Metro Fire, uniting 16 fire agencies into one force dedicated to protecting our communities.

Today, Metro Fire serves more than 720,000 people across 359 square miles. With 41 fire stations and more than 700 dedicated members, they stand ready around the clock to respond to fires, rescues, medical emergencies, and more to save lives and protect property.

Their mission says it best: ``professional and compassionate protection,

education, and service to the community.'' That commitment isn't just words. It is how they show up every day, often on the hardest day of someone else's life.

That teamwork and pride show up in every setting. Last year, Station 26 took first place in the inaugural HERO Act Chili Cookoff that my office hosted at the California State Fair. I was proud to visit the station to present ribbons to Captain Adam Huckaby and Firefighter Taylor Edwards.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also have a responsibility to support the men and women who support all of us, especially when it comes to their mental health. That is why I am continuing to push for passage of my bipartisan HERO Act to extend access to mental health and support for our brave first responders.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate one of my staff members, Anthony Uribe, who is being recognized by the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce as a Young Professional of the Year.

Anthony joined my staff in 2018, when he was a senior at Sacramento State, as an intern. He came on as a staff assistant and has been working his way up. Anthony has shown grit and perseverance, representing the Sacramento communities of North Sacramento, Del Paso Heights, and Natomas. He is a great extension of what we do.

Anthony is innovative. One of the best Anthony stories is that, as a staff assistant, you have to pick the Member of Congress up early in the morning

sometimes. Because I am on the West Coast, that is a 4 a.m. pickup call. One morning, he may have overslept his alarm clock there, so he got there and said: I will get you to the airport, Mr. Congressman.

For those in Sacramento County, he got me from Elk Grove to the airport in 10 minutes flat. Maybe there was a little bit of speeding there.

I congratulate Anthony. I wish I was there with him for the awards ceremony. It is a well-deserved award.