Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pastor Darin Wood of the First Baptist Church of Midland, Texas, who will be opening the House floor in prayer on Friday.

Pastor Wood grew up in Joshua, Texas, and started his career in pastoral ministry in 1999. The Wood family later moved to the Permian Basin and started preaching at First Baptist Church of Midland in February of 2016.

His leadership is truly inspirational in the Permian Basin. He is no stranger to lending a hand to others, and he has opened the congregation's doors to the public during times of need.

In his own words: ``you may enjoy the title of `pastor,' but truthfully, it is an earned role, won bit by bit . . .''

His wife, Julie, and son, Joshua, will be joining him on Friday. Pastor Wood is an inspiration to so many. For those who live in Midland, the Permian Basin, Midland-Odessa, they know Pastor Darin Wood. They know the inspiration that he brings to the community. Not only is he a voice of reason and of wisdom, but he also urges discernment.

He has personally helped me since I have been here. In fact, just recently, he was telling me about his study on Ezra and Esther and Nehemiah and talking about the stories of the Old Testament and how they apply to us today.

I thank Pastor Wood for his inspiration. For those who live in Midland, they know how inspirational he truly is, and he has been inspirational to me and so many others around Washington, D.C., as he prays for us continuously. I think our country needs prayer right now.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Pastor Wood for what he does to serve the Permian Basin, to serve First Baptist Church, and to serve so many people. I also thank him for his inspiration, education, and prayers for me and so many other leaders.

Mr. Speaker, U.S.-Mexico relations are at risk as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador continues to take unprecedented and irresponsible steps to unlawfully seize American property. President AMLO is planning to take control of a quarry and port owned by Vulcan Materials Company on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.

Vulcan has been in litigation and arbitration with Mexico since 2018, under NAFTA and then the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement. Yet still, President AMLO has taken a vendetta against the company, continuously trying to expropriate the American company's property and operations and making claims of environmental damages.

My legislation, the Defending American Property Abroad Act, would protect U.S. companies in the Western Hemisphere experiencing similar attempts at expropriation so economic growth and national security may continue.

American companies operating abroad should not have to fear arbitrary government actions that undermine their property rights. This is a gross abuse by the Mexican Government and sets a dangerous precedent for other American companies operating in Mexico.

Madam Chair, I thank the chair for bringing this bill to the floor, H.R. 1516, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act.

Members have to ask ourselves: Why are we here? I will point back to last Congress, in the 117th Congress, where we had H.R. 7779, which was a bill that we actually worked together on in the Committee on Homeland Security, under the chairman, my friend from Mississippi.

It was never actually brought to the floor. I am not sure why it wasn't brought to the floor. That is why we are here today, because we are serious about protecting our country.

In the NDAA, it went to the Rules Committee, and they voted it down. That is why we are here. We are here because we didn't get a chance to actually get serious about our Nation's most serious threat, the Chinese Communist Party, which is using every tool at their disposal to undermine our interests by using malign activity.

For years, they have done this in conjunction with the People's Liberation Army. They have exploited the open and collaborative nature of our society of academia to conduct widespread industrial and military espionage inside the United States.

Starting in 2004, various academic institutions across the country organized Confucius Institutes as a way to promote Chinese language and culture, to support Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges on campus. However, it quickly became apparent that these institutes were nothing more than a Trojan horse acting as an extension of CCP's global influence apparatus.

These institutions and operations have allowed the CCP to develop and have an immense impact on the decisions made by academic institutions and enable individuals to spy for the CCP on activities across the country and promote the CCP's aggressive national strategy, most commonly known as the Military-Civil Fusion, to help the People's Republic of China develop the most technologically advanced military in the world by 2049.

Thankfully, our society has woken up to these dangers, and now we, as Congress, are taking steps to correct that course.

In fiscal year '21, the National Defense Authorization Act prohibited DOD funding from going to institutions of higher education that host Confucius Institutes, and it is time for DHS to do the same. If DOD has done that, why are we treating DHS any different for their funding?

We must make every effort to protect Americans' tax dollars from being used to fund the CCP's nefarious activities.

The legislation we are discussing today, H.R. 1516, ensures that schools prioritize the security of their scientific research and technological development efforts above a paycheck from the CCP or entities affiliated with the PLA.

Specifically, this legislation restricts DHS funding from going to universities who maintain relationships with entities connected to the CCP or support the People's Republic of China Military-Civil Fusion program.

This bill safeguards our American taxpayer dollars. It safeguards our society. More importantly, this is a bill that guarantees that U.S. institutions are free from the CCP's malign influence, protects students and faculty who speak out against the CCP's nefarious activities.

Let's think about the research papers that are written that actually tell the truth about what is going on inside mainland China. This protects those students to be able to have the ability to write those things.

Many of my colleagues today might argue that this bill is not the same bill passed out of committee last Congress. They are correct. It is far stronger than the last bill.

Since the beginning of Congress, we have seen multiple instances of the dangers the CCP poses to the United States. In fact, we have a China select committee to just investigate those differences. The threat landscape has changed. Instead of a strategy of appeasement that has been offered by this administration, let's have a strategy of strength that deters action that would undermine our national security.

I really don't understand the pushback on this for technical reasons. Get with the program and let's get behind the security of this United States.

We need to think about the surveillance balloon that was flown across the continental United States. We worked in good faith last Congress and that bill was never brought to the floor. This Congress, when the people have given us the responsibility for the security of this country, we are going to take action.

There will be individuals who bring up the fact that there are only five known Confucius Institutes left in the United States and that they are no longer a threat. That is simply untrue.

The CCP has worked to rebrand their educational efforts and are operating in full force on college campuses across the United States. There is little to no transparency from universities in what type of assistance they receive from the PRC. Data collected by the Department of Education shows that universities in the United States have collected over $3.8 billion from entities connected to the PRC and the

Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer support for H. Res. 1371, Strongly Condemning the Biden Administration and Its Border Czar, Kamala Harris's, Failure to Secure the United States Southern Border, and in fact, all of our borders.

This administration's failure to secure the border has been so significant, so catastrophic, that Congress must use its power to provide accountability.

On day one, the Biden-Harris administration issued 64 executive orders to open the border to human traffickers, terrorists, and foreign adversaries.

In fact, over 300 known or suspected terrorists have crossed the border illegally that we know about and 50 migrants with ties to ISIS are currently on the loose inside the United States.

What are we hearing from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle with regards to that? Don't they care? They don't want to do anything about it. They just want to defend an open-border policy because that is what they are doing.

The American people are paying the real cost of this border crisis. It is people like Laken Riley, like Jocelyn Nungaray, like Rachel Morin, who were assaulted and killed by violent criminals who crossed the southern border illegally.

I have even lost constituents in my own district to this border crisis. The Tambunga family lost 78-year-old Maria and 7-year-old Emilia to a human trafficker who was here illegally, evading law enforcement, doing over 100 miles an hour.

What is being done? Where is the compassion that I just heard from my colleague toward that family?

Law and order is compassionate. Americans deserve accountability for this crisis that has wreaked havoc on our communities.

Unfortunately, Vice President Harris does not take it seriously, has not done anything positively to shut down the border, to restore law and order, and her complacency and complete disregard to secure the border is unprecedented.

This isn't about politics. In fact, for the first 2 years of the administration, we didn't have a single hearing on border security, not a single one, on the Committee of Homeland Security.

This resolution simply calls for accountability. How many more hearings do we have to have under our current chairman to call for accountability on this because our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are not willing to actually call out President Biden and Vice President Harris? How many more times do we have to call out for help in our communities?

This was led by the border czar. This open-border policy was led by the border czar, and it doesn't matter what we hear, it doesn't matter what excuses are said, and it doesn't matter what else is said from the other side of the aisle.

The facts are clear: 8\1/2\ million people plus have entered this country illegally, 300 plus on the terrorist watch list. Thousands of people who are associated with gangs, who are associated with criminal activities, and who are associated with delivering fentanyl that has killed over 100,000 people in this country.

I don't think it is funny. I personally don't think it is funny.

Mr. Speaker, I personally don't think it is funny. For those laughing on the other side of the aisle, shame on them. The Tambunga family deserves better in my district. In fact, every American deserves better.

How many more classified hearings, Mr. Speaker, are we going to have where the FBI comes in and where other intelligence agencies come in and say we have got a problem? How many more classified hearings are we going to have to have where they come into Congress to tell us that we have known and suspected terrorists inside our country?

The post-9/11 Commission said the system was flashing red. We need to wake up. The system is flashing red right now, and it is due to President Biden and Vice President Harris' inability to secure the border and do something to secure our country. Shame on those who won't stand up and do the right thing.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1371 and to bring accountability back to the southern border.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to present an amendment that seeks to improve our understanding of the link between military service and cancer risks, specifically among our aviators.

The amendment I am proposing to the fiscal year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill underscores our commitment to protecting and supporting our men and women in uniform during their service and long after that, as well.

Specifically, my amendment calls for the Secretary of the VA to allocate funds for collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the prevalence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served as Active-Duty aircrew in the Armed Forces.

Tragically, military aviators and crewmembers are being diagnosed with various forms of cancer at alarming rates. A 2021 study conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory's 711th Human Performance Wing found that pilots and aircrew have higher risks of developing prostate cancer and melanoma with possible links to Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and testicular cancer.

Additionally, a study from the DOD found elevated rates of cancer among military aviators and aviation ground personnel.

The existing evidence demonstrates a link between cancer and military aviation service. However, we must gather more comprehensive data to understand this correlation better and to properly care for our servicemembers.

After putting their lives on the line for their country, our airmen and -women deserve assurances that they will be cared for and not exposed to unknown dangers. The U.S. military must understand any potential health risks threatening our military heroes in the cockpit or those serving as crewmembers.

As a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot myself, who has lost many colleagues to cancer, this issue is personal to me.

My amendment ensures that cancer incidence rates are adequately studied, that they are adequately understood, and that the military and the Department of Defense has the tools that it needs to properly care for our military heroes.

I think this is a commonsense amendment. It is building upon work and studies that have already been done, and I would urge all of my colleagues to support this as we support those who are serving and protecting our country.

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

Mr. Chair, just to clarify, I am not sure what the opposition is. I didn't hear what the opposition was.

Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida for the purpose of a colloquy.

Very good.

Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to wish Mr. Phil George, a distinguished veteran and legendary coach from San Angelo, Texas, a happy 100th birthday today, and I believe that he may be watching right now.

Phil George is a legend in San Angelo, Texas, a veteran of both World War II and Vietnam, where he spent years of service as an incredibly talented pilot. When our Nation called, he answered, multiple times.

I cannot overstate the sacrifices he made, both professionally and personally, by putting his career as a basketball coach on hold and leaving his loving wife and children while he answered the Nation's call to serve in World War II and Vietnam.

His stories are incredible, his faith in God palpable, and his love for his late wife and family inspiring. In addition to his record of service to our Nation, Mr. George has an incredible record as a basketball coach and athletic director at Angelo State University.

Mr. Speaker, when one thinks about the Greatest Generation, we think about Mr. Phil George.

Mr. George, happy birthday today.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am proud to recognize and congratulate Mr. Walt Koenig, who is retiring from his position as President and CEO of the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce. I greatly appreciate Mr. Koenig's four years of dedicated service which profoundly impacted the San Angelo community.

I was born and raised in San Angelo and am proud to call San Angelo my home. In recent years, I have witnessed significant growth and positive change across the city. Thanks to our leadership in both enterprise and government, San Angelo has become one of the best small cities for business. Mr. Koenig's stewardship and enthusiasm for improving our city across the board have left a lasting impact that is greatly valued by the entire San Angelo community.

Before his tenure at the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Koenig served as the President and CEO of the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Director of the Kerr County Economic Development Program. Mr. Koenig's many contributions on the business level include over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Along with his history in business, Mr. Koenig also served 8 years as a senior diplomat with the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce.

Mr. Koenig made no waste of his four years serving the community of San Angelo. Under his leadership, San Angelo was established as the Visual Arts Capitol of Texas, the 2024 Best Visitor Center in Texas, and the 2024 People's Choice Award for Best Destination for Arts and Culture in the State of Texas. Along with these accolades, San Angelo has seen significant economic growth due to a surge in new local businesses, tourism, and overall quality of life. Due to his hard work and enthusiastic support for the city, it is safe to say that Mr. Koenig left the greater San Angelo community in a better position than he found it.

Beyond his duties at the Chamber of Commerce, Walt was also a civic leader for Goodfellow Air Force Base. Mr. Koenig was heavily involved at the base, including going out of his way to speak with students from other countries in their native language. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Koenig consistently went above and beyond in his unwavering support for the community, which left an indelible mark on the city of San Angelo. He and his wife, MG, poured their hearts out for our community, and for that, I will always be thankful.

Walt is a good friend of our office and our community--he will be missed dearly. I am proud to honor Mr. Walt Koenig's incredible contributions to the city of San Angelo during his successful tenure. I extend my most heartfelt wishes to his family for a smooth transition as they embark on their journey to Italy.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 192, which would prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia.

I think there has been a lot of talk about our Founding Fathers. I point out that I think one of the things that they envisioned was a healthy, functioning Republic with accountability, with D.C. at the epicenter, and D.C. not being a State but a District because they knew that that would change the dynamics of this place.

I, like many others, think that this Federal District is very special, and it is worth having the accountability, and that accountability is here in the United States Congress. It is Congress through the Constitution that our Founders entrusted the care of D.C., specifically ``exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever'' over the District.

Washington, D.C., is going through a tough time. It has not been going well in the last couple of years. In fact, let me just point out that, in 2023, this was the deadliest year on record in Washington,

Madam Speaker, I thank all those who have risen in support of this. Let's just think about it in simple terms.

If we go back to our constituents and tell them that Washington, D.C., is allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections, they can't believe it. It has been said by several colleagues on the other side of the aisle that multiple States allowed noncitizens to vote. In the case of Texas, that was literally over 100 years ago, and we figured out it was not a good idea.

It is absolutely ridiculous that this is even a thought. I said it a little bit ago, but Washington, D.C., is not exactly having an easy time with accountability. When you look at the crime rates, violent crime is spiking by 40 percent, and 2023 was the deadliest year on record here, with 274 people killed. Look at what Congress had to do, what President Biden signed into law, to maintain the penalties on violent offenders, specifically in carjackings, because the city council in Washington, D.C., decided to lessen those penalties. This Congress voted on that last year, and the President signed it into law. That is the kind of accountability that Americans are wanting. They want that accountability.

To think that Americans are in favor of having noncitizens vote in Washington, D.C., is ludicrous. That is why this legislation is so important. Washington, D.C., should be the standard. It should be the standard. It is a unique case. It is a unique case in our country because it is not a State.

Congress has jurisdiction constitutionally authorized to us, and we are acting because the city council overstepped. They have done something that even the Mayor is not in favor of.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation to put citizenship on the pedestal that it deserves and to stop lessening and cheapening citizenship in this country. I urge support of H.R. 192.

Mr. Speaker, last month, Congress passed the Israel security supplemental with overwhelmingly bipartisan support, but now the President is holding security assistance to our ally, Israel, hostage.

Let's not forget that Hamas is responsible for this massacre on October 7, with over 1,400 people being murdered and all the horrific actions that have taken place. President Biden's decision to withhold weapons from Israel is a disgrace that will harm Israel's capacity to defend itself. It is yet another foreign policy failure that will prolong the conflict and make things worse in the Middle East.

House Republicans are leading and demonstrating steadfast commitment to Israel, our most important and longest-standing ally in the Middle East,

but the Biden administration is choosing to betray the will of Congress. The President doesn't get to pick and choose when he follows the law and when he does not.

Congress must act quickly to reverse this decision and stand with Israel. Support for Israel's defense against the threats from Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis is not a political decision; it is the right decision.

The United States stands with Israel, and I urge support of this.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 8146, the Police Our Border Act.

On National Police Week, I am proud to join my colleagues in hosting meetings, speaking on the floor, and holding hearings, like we had today with my colleague, Mr. D'Esposito, to honor the dedication and sacrifice of our law enforcement and first responders.

It is so important for us to thank our men and women who put their lives on the line every day while knowing the dangers that await them to keep our families, communities, children, and loved ones safe.

There is no denying that our law enforcement has fallen under attack in recent years as Democratic governments cave to the defund the police movement.

The crisis at our southern border now affects every State, every town, every congressional district, and it certainly affects our law enforcement heroes, as we heard during testimony this week.

Congress should be using every tool and resource available to support our officers. With enough fentanyl coming across the border each year to kill every American seven times over, criminal illegal aliens being let free to roam in our communities, community resources being handed out to individuals who have been deported multiple times, and women and children being raped and killed, the crisis has reached a breaking point.

Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement are suffering the worst consequences of President Biden's border crisis, and they need the Police Our Border Act now. This bill provides critical solutions that hold Congress and the administration accountable and ensure we are showing up for our law enforcement, and not just showing up, but that we show them our support through our voting here in Congress.

Mr. Chairman, I hope and ask for colleagues' support on this very important act.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am proud to recognize and honor Permian Resources, one of the largest exploration and production companies in the Permian Basin. Our Nation is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and a strong innovative spirit that encapsulates the American character. Nowhere is more evident than right here in the Permian Basin, where we lead the Nation in affordable, reliable, and clean energy production that has revitalized our economy and fundamentally changed the global energy landscape.

Among the trailblazers is the team at Permian Resources--including Will Hickey, James Walter, Guy Oliphint, John Bell, Brandon Gaynor, and Robert Shannon, along with their many employees who work tirelessly to provide the country, and the world, with the energy it needs. Permian Resources' commitment to their employees, partners, communities, and environment showcases their operational excellence. There is no question that this organization is greatly admired by those in their community and beyond.

The impact that this company produces extends far beyond the Permian Basin and the state of Texas--it is felt throughout the entire world. Along with providing substantial job growth to the Permian Basin region, Permian Resources has proven its dedication to guiding us in restoring American energy dominance from the ground up. These individuals carry the entrepreneurial spirit our state is so well-known for, which has helped us unleash the massive energy potential of this region.

I am proud to honor the contributions of Permian Resources to our community. While we strive in the United States Congress to enact pro- energy policies, I am proud to represent these individuals who will help deliver this promise.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and my good friend, Mr. Stauber, for this bill.

Let's just call it what it is. It is not a big secret that the Biden administration hates American energy. Since day one, they have waged a complete and all-out war on domestic production.

If you take yourself back to 2019, then-candidate Biden said he would kill fossil fuels. I think they made good on that promise, and this is another example of that.

In September 2023, the administration canceled existing oil and gas leases in the Coastal Plain of Alaska, violating statutorily mandated lease sales and suspending operations crucial to Alaska's economy. These actions were taken despite bipartisan opposition in Alaska as we just heard from our colleague across the aisle.

H.R. 6285, a House Energy Action Team initiative, would reverse Biden's harmful anti-Alaska policies by reinstating mandated ANWR oil and gas leases and prohibiting a leasing moratorium in the Coastal Plain, and nullifying executive orders by the President.

Just last week, the administration denied permission for the development of the Ambler Road, once again, superseding ongoing conversations at the State level.

Alaskans should be able to decide what they want to develop, not the administration, but Alaskans who know Alaska.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the RSC HEAT staff for their work on this legislation and Representative Stauber.

Let me just respond to something that we have heard about Ukraine, about Russia, about the administration. Let me remind all Americans, Mr. Speaker, that it was this President in 2021 who refused to continue and to enhance the sanctions on the Nord Stream pipeline that would have helped all of Europe. It would have helped the Ukrainians more than anything.

If you want to talk about being strong and standing up to Russia, let's take ourselves back to that point where this administration failed to do that, and instead handed Putin a huge gift and decided to declare an all-out war on American energy. This is just yet another example of that.

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

Mr. Speaker, today, I am happy to recognize and congratulate the Junior League of Midland on their 75 years of service to their community. What began with a charter membership of just 29 women has turned into a robust network of over 600 volunteer members, working on projects that greatly support the city of Midland and effectively training women to be leaders in the community.

For seven and a half decades, the Junior League of Midland has played a crucial role in developing community-oriented institutions such as the Museum of the Southwest, Teen Court, Rays of Hope, and many others. Beyond the development of these important institutions, their network of volunteers provides crucial support to the community--such as donating hygiene supplies to thousands of students in need, hosting after-school reading programs, and providing job-skills mentoring programs to survivors of domestic abuse.

The members of this organization spend countless unpaid hours working toward the greater good of the people of Midland; for that, I cannot thank them enough. I am confident that the Junior League of Midland will continue to inspire and be of service to others across the community for many more years to come.

Again, I want to congratulate the Junior League of Midland on their dedication to serving the Midland community for the past 75 years. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I am beyond proud to represent these women in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, the theme that we are talking about right now is a complete overturning of a maximum pressure campaign on Iran from 2017 through the end of 2020.

In 2021, we began a new theme, and that theme was appeasement: appeasement of Iran; appeasement of its policies; an overturning of the JCPOA; a message to the world that: We trust you, Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism on the globe. We don't think you are going to do anything.

That strategy has clearly not worked.

Mr. Speaker, I want to go back in time to September 11, 2023. Instead of mourning our Nation and standing firm against terrorism, the President of the United States took the anniversary of 9/11 as an opportunity to give Iran, the world's leading sponsor of terrorism, a $6 billion present.

It is no coincidence that shortly following this foreign policy faux pas, the Iranian-backed terrorist group was emboldened to launch a barbaric attack against our democratic ally, Israel, murdering over 1,400 innocent civilians and abducting hundreds of hostages, some of whom still remain inside Gaza.

In the 6 months following those attacks on that fateful morning of October 7, Iran's proxies--Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, the Shia militia groups, and others--have continued carrying out terrorist attacks against Israel and the Middle East, culminating in Iran's direct and unprecedented attack this past weekend against Israel.

When it comes to foreign policy, the theme that I mentioned, a turning away from maximum pressure, a turning away from deterrence, a turning away from holding a hard line and toward appeasement, the President has gotten it wrong every single time.

In fact, on September 10, 2001, one day before the attacks on 9/11, then-Senator Joe Biden criticized President Bush's proposed missile defense system as dangerous and potentially disastrous and that it weakens us.

In reality, President Biden's decades-long strategy of appeasement is what weakens us. His choices have made our country less safe. They have resulted in the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. They have emboldened our adversaries to attack around the world.

When asked what his message to Iran was in the lead-up to a possible attack on Israel, that we knew about, the President simply said: ``Don't.''

Well, Mr. President, they did.

I agree with my colleague, the ranking member, that innocent human life is important. The disagreement at this point in time is that we have had 3-plus years of a strategy of appeasement that has not resulted in deterrence. It has weakened our interest, our allies, Israel and others, not just in the region but throughout the world.

I want to talk about electricity. Yes, Iraq needs electricity. The fact is that the waiver given by Secretary Pompeo at the end of the Trump administration was predicated on the theory that Iraq would reform its electricity system and this would not be needed for a long time. This was 4 years ago.

At what point is there accountability?

At what point after waiver and waiver and waiver given do we cut the dependency; do we reform the system; do we make sure that the Iraqi citizens have what they need?

This administration has taken the opposite approach.

When you look in the news just today, everyone around the world, all the major organizations, the major nation-states, are considering additional sanctions on Iran. They understand that appeasement doesn't work. The U.N., the G7, and even France have made the decision to enforce stronger sanctions with no waivers.

President Biden over 3 years ago made a decision to go from maximum pressure on Iran that resulted in unprecedented deterrence and peace to a strategy of appeasement.

The examples are many. Appeasement and weakness have led to chaos and aggression. In fact, every intelligence briefing, every national security pundit, every talking head on TV, every person who knows anything about this subject has said the same consistent theme for 3- plus years, that the threat from the Iranian regime toward the United States and our allies and partners and our interests has only increased. It culminated this weekend with an unprecedented drone attack.

We are so lucky, along with our brothers and sisters in arms, the U.S. military and our partners like the Jordanians and the Israelis, that the air defense systems worked, that these brave airmen and these brave air defense personnel were able to take out these drones and prevent not a single loss of life, to prevent the death of anyone inside Israel. It is unbelievable that that was able to happen.

The reason that we are doing this, I believe, is because the Founders of this country knew that there would be a time when checks and balances had to be issued, there would be a time when we had to have a check on the executive branch because they got it wrong.

This doesn't have to be a partisan exercise. In fact, I hope it is bipartisan. I hope that we can all join together and say we don't believe in appeasement, that that strategy has not worked. They have had 3\1/2\ years to see if it works, and it doesn't.

Now is the time to stand fast. Now is the time to come together and to check the executive branch and to pass legislation that prevents the rescission of these waivers that prevents the $6 billion gift and other gifts from funding the Iranian war machine, the terror war machine that is sowing chaos across the Middle East and even broader than that region.

If we remember back to September 11, then we know this threat is real. Let's believe the Iranians when they have threatened us over the weekend. Let's believe their threats, but let's not cower to their threats. Let's stand strong. Let's show deterrence.

Not a single dollar should be allowed to go to the Iranian Government. Not a

single dollar should be allowed to go to the largest arbiter of terrorism on the planet.

I hope my colleagues across the aisle will join in regaining our Article I authority, will join in asserting American leadership around the globe, to send a strong message not just to Iran but to other would-be adversaries, that we are serious about defending freedom, that we are serious about defending Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East.

My legislation permanently freezes all Iranian-sanctioned assets and prevents the President from using any waiver authority, including licenses and guidance and otherwise, to lift sanctions.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand strong, to support this legislation, to pass H.R. 5947, to protect Israel, and to stop the Iranian war machine.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 4006, a bill originally introduced by Representative Johnson of Ohio, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.