Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 676) supporting the rights of the people of Iran to free expression, condemning the Iranian regime for its crackdown on legitimate protests, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their swift action in putting this important and timely resolution together.

The world has been witnessing the people of Iran taking to the streets en masse to protest the radical regime in Tehran. They have made it clear that the regime's policies have done nothing but harm Iran.

We have seen large-scale protests in Iran before, most notably in 2009, but these protests are different, Mr. Speaker. This time, unlike in 2009, America has not shied away from doing the right thing. The administration has expressed vocal support for the people of Iran, and it has warned the regime that we are watching how it responds.

The public discontent is palpable, and these protests have exposed the cracks behind the regime's veneer. For decades, the hardline regime has squandered Iran's vast resources in pursuit of spreading the revolutionary ideology and of achieving an illicit nuclear weapons program.

The regime's rule by fear and rule by intimidation--the human rights abuses, the silencing of the opposition, the abuses of ethnic and religious minorities, the restrictions imposed against women under sharia law, and the corruption, none of these are being taken anymore, sitting down, by millions of Iranians.

Let us not be fooled, Mr. Speaker. Rouhani is no moderate. He is an opportunist, and he is a lifelong adherent to the regime and its hateful ideology.

That is why this resolution is so important. We must make it clear that we truly support the people of Iran and their aspirations for a free and democratic society. Their protests are a referendum on the regime, and we must make it clear to all the regime officials that they will be held accountable for any human rights abuses in response to these protests.

But, Mr. Speaker, we must also not lose sight of the bigger picture. These protests are important, and it is important that we take action on human rights abuses. But this is just one aspect of the regime's illicit behavior, and sanctions against human rights violators is but one tool that we have at our disposal. The totality of the regime's nefarious and illicit activity is what the people of Iran are protesting against, and it would be unwise for us to lose focus of that bigger picture.

So while it is important that we stand here today in support of the people of Iran and we make it clear that there will be consequences for human rights abuses, we must make sure that we see the whole board here and connect the dots, and that means, Mr. Speaker, using all the tools at our disposal, because they are not isolated issues. They are all connected.

So, with that, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and to continue supporting a strong response to all of Iran's illicit activity and the use of all of the tools that we have at our disposal.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), who is

the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, as well as a senior member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Texas an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, who tells it just like it is.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), and I ask unanimous consent that he control that time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank our esteemed chairman for his years of service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support H.R. 535, the Taiwan Travel Act, authored by my good friend and colleague, Chairman Steve Chabot. Over the years, Steve and I have worked closely together on our Foreign Affairs Committee, and his commitment and leadership on strengthening U.S.-Taiwan relations has been second to none.

We have worked to shift U.S. policy on Taiwan to a more favorable position for our friend and ally, Taiwan, rather than an acquiescent policy that U.S. administration after U.S. administration continued to implement out of fear from a Chinese economic retaliation or diplomatic retaliation or military retaliation.

Frankly, Mr. Speaker, it is a shame that we continue to allow China to dictate our foreign policy when it comes to Taiwan. The Taiwanese have been great partners for the United States, whereas China seeks to undermine everything we do, yet administration after administration have gone so far as to self-impose restrictions and self-impose limitations in our dealings with Taiwan, and that includes a self- imposed restriction on allowing the Taiwanese President and other high- ranking government officials from Taipei from coming to Washington, D.C., to meet with Congress, to meet with administration officials, to meet with other policymakers. This is unconscionable, and this farce needs to end.

We should have direct dialogue with the democratically elected leadership of our ally, Taiwan, and we should not allow China or the fear of Chinese reprisal to dictate this.

Without this, we are putting ourselves at a disadvantage. We are harming and insulting an ally. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, we are damaging our national security interests and giving China, in effect, a veto over our foreign policy decisions.

That is why Mr. Chabot's bill is so important, Mr. Speaker. The Taiwan Travel Act states that it should be U.S. policy to not only allow visits from Taiwanese officials at all levels of the government, but to encourage these visits, to facilitate these visits.

It also states that our own policymakers, including at the highest levels of our government, should visit Taiwan for face-to-face meetings with their counterparts.

Mr. Speaker, the United States is a global leader. We are a sovereign nation. Who we choose to meet with and who we choose to recognize is our sovereign right. We should not allow China or anyone else to impact our decision. For far too long, America has allowed China to prevent us from taking full advantage of our partnership with Taiwan.

The Taiwan Travel Act is an important step toward doing the right thing for our friend and ally, and I hope that the administration will reverse these damaging policies.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, the chairman of our esteemed committee, for the time. I urge all of our colleagues to support Mr. Chabot's bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank our esteemed chairman for this time, and I want to thank my Florida colleague, Ted Yoho, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, for offering this important bill as well as for his constant friendship and assistance to our strong and indispensable ally, Taiwan.

His bill, H.R. 3320, directing the Secretary of State to develop a strategy for increasing Taiwan's participation at the World Health Organization, is an important first step, an important piece of our foreign policy toward our ally, Taiwan.

Congress has, for years, been pushing for Taiwan to have greater access, to have equal representation at so many institutions. Unfortunately, as with so many other international organizations, Taiwan's lack of observer status at the World Health Organization, or WHO, is caused by an orchestrated and dangerous campaign by China to constrain Taiwan's participation in global affairs.

In the case of the WHO, China is depriving the international community from access to a wealth of Taiwan's high-level healthcare information. Due to its superb talent, due to its data collection, due to its quarantine and treatment facilities, Taiwan has excellent infectious disease control capabilities. Fourteen years ago, Taiwan's cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control was crucial in stemming the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome, known as

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my disappointment with the administration's decision to terminate temporary protected status--TPS--for hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans. This decision comes just after it terminated TPS for Haiti and Nicaragua.

In 2001, El Salvador was struck by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that left destruction and tragedy in its wake, resulting in 250,000 Salvadorans coming to the U.S. seeking safety. Since then, they have been key parts of our communities and important contributors for our economy. It is cruel and inhumane to tell them that they will no longer be afforded temporary status here in the U.S. and that they have to go back to unsafe and uncertain conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the administration to reverse the decision to terminate TPS for El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Haiti. I ask my colleagues to join me in a letter to the administration asking it to right this wrong and to also extend this status for Honduras.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the career of Doris Jackson, who will be retiring after more than 33 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives. Doris began working as a cashier in the Cannon Cafe in 1980 and eventually became a supervisor.

After more than three decades, there have been many changes as Members and staff have come and gone, but Doris' smile has remained ever present. I know that I speak for every Member, staffer, and intern who has had the privilege of knowing Doris when I say that we will miss her witty sense of humor and her willingness to give encouragement to everyone she meets.

In retirement, Doris plans to spend more time with family, especially her grandchildren, and to stay active in her community by volunteering at her church.

Mr. Speaker, Doris has dedicated her life to serving us as we strive to serve our constituents. On behalf of our congressional family, I wish Doris the best of luck in the next exciting chapter in her life.

Congratulations, Doris.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Jackson Health System.

Jackson Memorial Hospital first opened its doors in south Florida a century ago as a 13-bed community hospital. In the years since, Jackson has grown to become one of the Nation's largest and most renowned public hospital systems.

But, throughout the many periods of growth and expansion, Jackson has remained true to its core mission: to build and improve the health of our community by providing the best possible care for Miami's residents.

Mr. Speaker, by caring for those most in need, Jackson Health System has created a solid foundation that has empowered our families to thrive.

Congratulations to their leader, Carlos Migoya, and all of the staff of Jackson Health System on a century of excellence and care to our community. I thank them for continuing to serve as stewards of Jackson's legacy and for continuing to use healthcare to improve people's lives and to help shape their bright futures.

Mr. Speaker, there are very few legislative days left this calendar year, and the House has yet to debate and vote on the Dream Act or any legislative proposal that would shield our DREAMers from deportation.

The administration created an arbitrary deadline of March 5 before the DACA program begins to phase out. However, Mr. Speaker, we cannot, we should not, and we must not wait until the very last minute to take action.

Every day that goes by, DREAMers are losing protections; they can't get that job they so desperately need; and they can't apply to the school that they want. Simply put, their lives have been put on hold.

Mr. Speaker, Members have seen me come to the floor time after time to advocate for these hardworking, young Americans because I wholeheartedly believe that we need to get this done rapidly. The American people agree, and many of our colleagues from both sides of the aisle agree.

So I urge each one of my colleagues to look at the ideals of compassion and opportunity that have long characterized our generous and great country and allow a vote to help our DREAMers. The time for Congress to take action is now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami on the opening of its new Sports Health and Urgent Care Center.

With this new center, Nicklaus continues its proud tradition as one of the leading pediatric institutions in the Nation. Located in my congressional district, just down the street from my home in Pinecrest, this center will provide injury prevention and performance training programs, as well as rapid care, to our young athletes through the cutting-edge therapy services found at Nicklaus Children's Hospital. It will also serve as a resource to families to take their young children, sadly, in times of medical emergencies.

For decades, Nicklaus Children's Hospital has inspired hope and promoted lifelong health in south Florida by providing the best care to kids in our community. It prides itself in bettering south Florida one patient at a time.

So I invite everyone to come out and meet the staff of the new Nicklaus Sports Health and Urgent Care Center this Friday, December 15, at the Suniland Shopping Center in Pinecrest from 9 to 11 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Colorado (Mr. Buck) for the time.

I want to thank Chairman Hensarling because these bills that we are combining today came out of his committee. I want to thank him for his leadership in bringing these important bills before us today.

I rise in support of H.R. 1638, the Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act. I want to thank my good friend from Maine, Bruce Poliquin, for his

work in authoring this bill. It is a critical step, a necessary step in holding the Iranian regime accountable for its money laundering, for its terror financing, and other wide-ranging criminal activities.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, known by its initials, its acronym, IRGC, has long been at the heart of the Iranian criminal enterprise, controlling the better part of Iran's economy in key sectors like oil, gas, telecommunications, and transportation.

The IRGC's business empire and monopoly of these economic sectors provides the regime with billions of dollars that it uses to do what? To feed the people, to clothe the people, to educate the children?

No. To repress the Iranian people and to export the terror that it has done so much damage in throughout the world, and its hateful ideology abroad.

Two years ago, I held a hearing of our Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, where we explored the role of the IRGC and, again, that is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. We looked at the role of the IRGC in Iran's economy and we raised these very concerns, Mr. Speaker.

So I want to thank Chairman Hensarling for his leadership on this issue and his consistent efforts to hold Iran accountable, because that is what we are trying to do, hold these terrorists accountable.

This is one of the many issues where the Financial Services and the Foreign Affairs Committees have done a great job of working together to implement targeted sanctions against the Iranian regime for its illicit activity.

For years, our Treasury Department has been working to identify and to sanction IRGC leaders. They have shell companies. We have been looking at what these shell companies are. Let's identify and let's sanction them. Their proxies. Let's designate and warn foreign companies about the risk of doing business with the IRGC's connected entities. As fast as the IRGC can create new ones, we shut them down, new ones pop up.

Unfortunately, the misguided JCPOA has made the Treasury's job even harder, with the IRGC collecting billions from their financial windfall created by new outside investments in the very sectors previously targeted by our sanctions.

So it is important now more than ever that the Treasury publicizes the assets controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the rest of Iran's corrupt leadership for two reasons, Mr. Speaker.

First, so that the long-suffering people of Iran, with whom we have no problem--we want to help the people of Iran so that these people have a window into the regime's pervasive theft and corruption that deprives them of the most basic of commodities.

Second, so that businesses stop funneling cash into these criminal enterprises that are financing terror throughout the world.

This bill will help shine a necessary light on these nefarious actions of Iran both inside and outside of the country, and I urge its swift passage.

Mr. Speaker, I thank our esteemed leader for this time, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 4324, the Strengthening Oversight of Iran's Access to Finance Act, authored by our good friend Mr. Williams of Texas, who is swinging for the fences.

When the Obama administration signed this terrible Iran nuclear deal, in addition to the lifting of sanctions and sending billions of dollars to this hideous regime, it also authorized licenses for the export of commercial passenger planes to Iran.

After selling the world a bill of goods, the administration then turned around and agreed to allow the sale of planes to the world's biggest exporter of terror. Not only that, but U.S. financial institutions would be needed to finalize these sales, meaning American taxpayers' dollars could be used to finance these sales.

The results were predictable, Mr. Speaker. Iran has been using its commercial planes to transport fighters, to transport weapons, to transport material to Hezbollah in Syria, just to mention one. The list could go on and on, many illicit activities.

This is not something that Americans would be supporting, let alone underwriting. That is why Mr. Williams' bill is so important, and I thank Mr. Hensarling for bringing it to the floor. It protects the U.S. financial system, and it protects the taxpayers by giving us in Congress greater oversight. That is what this bill is about: oversight over business that the Treasury authorizes with Iran.

As we have heard speaker after speaker, Iran is the number one leading state sponsor of terror. It is responsible for the deaths of countless brave American men and women fighting overseas. It is the destabilizing force in Syria, to name just one of the countries.

The Supreme Leader calls for the destruction of our most trusted ally, the democratic Jewish State of Israel; and the calls for ``death to America,'' Mr. Speaker, they go on and on, and it is written on walls.

Mr. Speaker, the JCPOA was flawed. We all know that. It was weak and it was dangerous.

Let's ask our constituents, our taxpayers, if they want their dollars to fund the purchase of planes for the number one state sponsor of terror. I think that the answer would be ``no.''

We are actually being asked to supposedly support American jobs by helping Iran, the number one terror state, to buy planes so this horrid human-rights abuser of a country, this killer of Americans can use these very planes to continue exporting its terror activities throughout the world.

This is preposterous. It is a false choice.

Mr. Speaker, this bill protects the American consumer; it protects our constituents; it protects the taxpayer; and it gives us in Congress the proper oversight. Let's pass what this is: a commonsense bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of Maria Diaz, who will be retiring after more than 35 years serving at the Social Security Administration in my hometown of Miami.

My staff and I have had an opportunity to know and work with her over the last 17 years that she has served as a public affairs specialist. Throughout that time, she has been an invaluable resource to us and our constituents.

Maria started working at the Social Security Administration in 1982 in what she thought would be a temporary job, but she quickly grew to love her work and those she had an opportunity to serve. Over the last three decades, with her calm demeanor and ever-present smile, Maria has made a significant impact in the lives of countless individuals in our community.

Mr. Speaker, Maria Diaz is the embodiment of the ideal public servant. She has dedicated her life to faithfully and diligently serving those most in need in South Florida.

On behalf of a grateful community, I wish her the best of luck in the next exciting chapter of her life.

Felicidades, amiga.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Miami Jewish Health Systems as they break ground on their cutting-edge memory care facility to be called the S. Donald Sussman EmpathiCare Village. This facility will serve as an essential resource to many elderly individuals in south Florida who find themselves in need of mental health services. The Sussman EmpathiCare Village will also host researchers working on cutting-edge memory care treatment.

This new facility is just the latest accomplishment in the Miami Jewish Health Systems' long tradition of service in our community. For over 75 years, this wonderful organization and its staff have provided compassionate healthcare with dignity and respect and helped those most in need in south Florida to live longer, healthier, and more enriched lives.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored that such an amazing institution is located in south Florida, and it is a pleasure to recognize that the S. Donald Sussman EmpathiCare Village is now a reality. Thanks again to MJHS, and mazel tov on a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, today is a bittersweet day for our office because we bid farewell to my senior foreign policy adviser and subcommittee staff director, Eddy Acevedo--a native Miami boy and a proud Nicaraguan American.

For over a decade, Eddy and I have worked side by side to advance the issues critical to U.S. interests at home and around the globe. Eddy's depth of knowledge and his political acumen are only eclipsed by his passion and his kindness.

But don't let that fool you, Mr. Speaker. He is a bulldog when it comes to advancing our core ideals, like the respect for human rights and the promotion of democratic principles. That is why he is an ideal fit for his next role as deputy assistant administrator and chief legislative strategist with the USAID. I have no doubt that we will hear many great things from Eddy in the future.

Mr. Speaker, Eddy is more than just my most trusted adviser. He is my dear friend, and he will be very much missed. So our staff and our family wish him and his wife, Luly, all the best as they enter this next new, exciting chapter of their life together.

Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, a human rights activist in my native homeland of Cuba, Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, better known as Antunez, was detained in Cuba on his way to the airport. Antunez was going to speak at an event hosted by Freedom House and Justice Cuba, right here in D.C., to educate the public on the brutal realities of what continues to occur every day in Cuba.

But, instead, Raul Castro sent his thugs to detain Antunez and prevent him from boarding the plane. The regime promised Antunez that he could travel if he only ``tempered his activism.''

Mr. Speaker, anyone who knows Antunez, who spent many a year in Castro's jails, knows that he will not abandon his principles, nor should he ever be forced to do so.

As Antunez always says, ``Ni me callo, ni me voy,'' which means, ``I won't stay silent and I won't leave.'' He is talking about his activism in Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, the Castro regime wants to paint a picture that people on the island are free, that human rights abuses do not exist in Cuba, but we know better. That is why there continues to be, every day, arbitrary arrests and beatings to stop dissidents and activists from speaking out--that is the menu every day--reminding the world that what these activists want is freedom. That is really what transpires in Castro's Cuba for dissidents.

Our message to those brave fighters for freedom in Cuba must be that we are listening to their plight, that we will stand with them in opposing Castro's evil rule, and that we have not forgotten about them or their continued fight for freedom and democracy.

So I urge this administration to continue to undo the damage done by the previous administration and their failed policy toward Cuba. I urge the administration to offer unequivocal support for the brave Cuban people, like Antunez. They deserve our unwavering support, and they deserve our solidarity so that the people of Cuba achieve what they have been seeking for decades, and it is simple, Mr. Speaker: freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, respect for the rule of law, free and open markets, and liberty from communism.

Mr. Speaker, in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, leftist dictators refuse to follow the rule of law, circumventing or ignoring completely their constitutions in order to maintain their hold in power. This practice has now spread to Bolivia, where strongman Evo Morales is taking a page from this playbook.

Less than 2 years ago, in 2016, Morales imposed a constitutional referendum to eliminate term limits for Presidents so that he could run for a third term.

But what happened in Bolivia?

The majority of the people said no. They went to the ballot box and they rejected this by a vote through a referendum.

What did Morales do?

He went to the court system that he has already rigged in his favor to seek the outcome that he desired. And, sure enough, his spineless cronies granted him his wish and approved his illegitimate run for a fourth term, agreeing that it was his human right--the only right, apparently, that is respected in Bolivia--to run for another term, ignoring completely the human rights of millions who voted to uphold their laws under their constitution.

The court's decision last week to lift constitutional limits on reelection should be disturbing to all of us and should serve as a wake-up call throughout the hemisphere. If we don't pay attention to Bolivia, it will soon become another Cuba or another Venezuela--failed states.

The decision to allow Morales to run for yet another term further erodes the democratic institutions in that country.

Sadly, this was not the first time that Morales or his thugs have chipped

away at Bolivia's democratic foundations in order to remain in power. In 2013, the constitutional court allowed him to run for a third term, stating that his first term didn't count--do-over, mulligan--because it occurred before the 2009 constitution took effect. What a farce.

This was obviously a cynical, political ploy, and should have served as the harbinger of worse things to come for Bolivia, and indeed it was, not to mention the ruling falls outside of the court's mandate to interpret and evaluate compliance with the constitution.

Responsible nations in our hemisphere, Mr. Speaker, must not remain silent, nor should this esteemed body. We must speak out in the support of the people of Bolivia to democratically elect their next leader.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the Bolivian people before there is another crisis of democracy right in our hemisphere.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking

Member Engel for their leadership in bringing this important resolution to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 90, condemning the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and calling for an end to the attacks in Burma and the immediate restoration of access to humanitarian aid. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution.

I thank our previous speaker, my colleague, Joe Crowley, as well as our Republican colleague, Steve Chabot, sitting in front of us, for authoring this measure.

We are seeing condemnations of the atrocities occurring in Burma from across the world, Mr. Speaker, as well as calls for the nation's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, to make greater efforts to stop the violence there.

Last month, our U.S. administration issued an official determination that the Burmese military's actions constitute ethnic cleansing, and rightly so. The atrocities being committed against this ethnic minority have been well documented and they deserve the utmost condemnation.

The reality on the ground is shocking, Mr. Speaker. Over 600,000 were forced to flee to neighboring Bangladesh; the systematic massacre, the rape, the pillaging, all in an effort to eliminate any trace of these Muslim minorities in Burma.

No one is safe, no Rohingya is safe, yet the world continues to sit back and watch as these individuals are targeted for extinction and eradication from the history books.

We as a United States Congress can do more, we must do more, and we expect responsible nations and responsible actors to do more to end this persecution.

Last week, Pope Francis met with Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma's top military commander, delivering the message that these atrocities must be stopped. The Dalai Lama has spoken out against this systematic campaign.

Now it is time for us in the U.S. Congress to add our voice and send a strong message of our own, and this resolution does just that.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.