Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 32 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, July 19, 2012, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6018) to authorize appropriations for the Department of State for fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 6018.

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

I want to thank the ranking member--and, indeed, all of the Members on both sides of the aisle--for all of the work that has gone into the drafting of this carefully targeted State Department authorization bill for fiscal year 2013.

Despite significant efforts by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Department of State has been operating without legislative authority for nearly a decade. The last authorization bill to become law, coauthored by our esteemed former Chairmen Henry Hyde and Tom Lantos, was enacted in September of 2002. The lack of authorities in the intervening years has eroded Congress' foreign policy leverage with the Department of State. By enacting this bill, Congress will repair this lapse, strengthen our foreign policy oversight, and fulfill our obligation to the American public.

The text authorizes basic operations for the State Department, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and the Peace Corps at fiscally responsible levels coordinated with the Appropriations Committee. This bill does not include any foreign aid authorities.

H.R. 6018 contains important management reforms to increase the efficiency, the accountability, and the safety of our personnel overseas. It reflects bipartisan concern that Congress needs to have a stronger oversight role in the State Department's expanding activities to promote cybersecurity with other governments around the world. It establishes important jurisdiction and oversight authority for the Department's Strategic Counterterrorism Communications Center, which is already operational.

By maintaining current funding for independent audits, inspections, and investigations of the State Department and the Peace Corps, H.R. 6018 ensures that, while we are tightening our belts, we will continue to ferret out waste, fraud, and abuse on behalf of the American taxpayer.

This bill will help American businesses by removing unreasonable obstacles and streamlining the arms export control process for exporting selected equipment and parts. At the same time, it will enhance U.S. security by increasing safeguards against the transfer of sensitive U.S. technologies to state sponsors of terrorism, to China, and to other countries subject to U.S. arms embargoes.

For all of these reasons, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6018 deserves the bipartisan support that it has received so far and passage by the House this evening.

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

Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time, so when the gentleman yields back, I will make some closing statements and yield back as well.

In closing, I'd like to thank all of the Members who have worked with us to help put the State Department back on the books for the first time in a decade. I want to thank also the Appropriations, the Budget, and the Intelligence Committees for their helpful consultations throughout this process.

Finally, and most especially, I want to thank the ranking member, my good friend from California (Mr. Berman). He has dedicated so many hours, both he and his staff, in making this important bill possible, and I thank him for that.

In particular, I'd like to thank Rick Kessler, Doug Campbell, Daniel Silverberg, Shanna Winters, David Fite, Diana Ohlbaum, Brent Woolfork, Daniel Harsha, our esteemed staff director, Dr. Yleem Poblete, and indeed, all of our hardworking Foreign Affairs staff for their expert assistance, as well as Doug Anderson and Jamie McCormick.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2165) to enhance strategic cooperation between the United States and Israel, and for other purposes.

I ask unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker, that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on Senate bill 2165.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012.

I would like to thank the distinguished majority leader and the minority whip, Mr. Cantor and Mr. Hoyer, for sponsoring the House version of this legislation, as well as Senators Boxer and Isakson, who sponsored the Senate version that this House is considering today.

For over 64 years, since the United States recognized Israel just 11 minutes after its creation, the democratic, Jewish State of Israel has been one of our closest allies.

Our shared commitment to peace and to freedom have been the foundation of a special bond that has reinforced the safety and the security of both of our countries. We have forged a defense partnership that has yielded advanced technologies and policies that have benefited both of our nations and helped to keep our citizens secure. Our fates are tied together. A threat to one of our countries is a threat to both.

And so, as the Iranian regime continues to race toward nuclear weapons and sponsor violent extremists like Hamas and Hezbollah, we must work together to counter this growing threat, Mr. Speaker.

And while the United States and Israel are targeted by many of the same threats, Israel's proximity to the Iran-Syria-Hamas-Hezbollah nexus leaves us no room for error. Our goal, with this legislation, is to ensure that Israel has the ability to protect its citizens against the dangers that touch their lives every day, against the rockets, against the bombs, against the missiles that their enemies stockpile while making well-publicized threats every day against the Jewish state.

How do we achieve this goal, Mr. Speaker? By increasing the totality of our bilateral security relations. That means increasing joint missile defense systems, joint military exercises, and intelligence cooperation. We get to learn from them, and they get to learn from us, and we all sleep a little more soundly knowing that we have done all we can to help our citizens.

It also means providing increased excess defense articles and munitions to Israel. With a host of entities stirring the pot of hostility against the Jewish state, it is critical that the United States stand foursquare with Israel.

This legislation also extends authority to provide loan guarantees to the Israeli government that provide the Jewish state with a cushion of support in times of need, and at no cost to the American taxpayer.

Mr. Speaker, our ally, Israel, needs our help, and we are situated to lend a friend this hand while strengthening our own security in the process. Let us stand together today and say that we support a strong and secure Israel, not only because Israel is our friend and ally, but also because a strong and secure Israel means a strong and secure America.

Now is a particularly important time to send that message, as we face the looming specter of this sequester that we're all talking about and working hard to prevent.

Mr. Speaker, if nothing is done to avert this crisis, we will face an almost $450 million cut to security assistance to Israel. This would include over $100 million in cuts to cooperative missile defense programs. These cuts would damage the security of our Nation and our ally, Israel, and they must be averted.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the coauthor of this legislation, our leader, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor).

I thank the gentleman for his remarks, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I am so pleased to yield 4 minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.

I am so pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia. He deals with these issues every day.

Mr. Speaker, I only have some closing remarks and have no further requests for time, so I will wait for my colleague from California to yield back.

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

The United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 states, and it makes it very clear, that U.S. policy is to: reaffirm the commitment to Israel's security as a Jewish state; also to provide Israel with the military capabilities to defend herself and help preserve its qualitative military edge; also to expand military and civilian cooperation; to assist in a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that results in two states living side by side in peace and security, which is all of our goals; and also encourage Israel's neighbors to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should take specified actions to assist in the defense of Israel; it amends the 2005 Department of Defense Appropriations Act to extend authority to transfer certain Department of Defense items to Israel; it amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend authority to make additions to foreign-based defense stockpiles; and, lastly, it amends the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2003 to extend specified loan guarantee authority to Israel.

This is in the U.S. national security interest, and I hope that the House overwhelmingly passes this important bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2009) to improve the administration of programs in the insular areas, 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 the bill, S. 2009.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill, S. 2009 the Insular Areas Act, a brief bill that passed the Senate unanimously in December before being transmitted to the House and referred to multiple committees.

The bill consists of three short sections:

The first section, which shifts to the Department of Energy the responsibility for Department of the Interior-funded radiological monitoring at former U.S. nuclear test sites, has long been overseen by the Committee on Natural Resources.

The second section, which confirms the continuing eligibility of U.S. magistrates to participate in long-standing judicial exchange programs, is primarily overseen by the Committee on the Judiciary.

And the third section, involving a domestic workforce issue, is overseen by the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

All of these committees have reviewed the bill, waived additional action, and consented to today's suspension consideration of the bill. I want to thank those committees for their consideration and their input.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of

Representatives,

Washington, DC, March 20, 2012.

Hon. John A. Boehner,

Speaker, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Speaker: I am writing to convey the consent of the

Committee on Education and the Workforce to be discharged

from consideration of S. 2009, Insular Areas Act of 2011, in

order to expedite its consideration on the House floor.

Although a formal request has not yet been prepared by the

Congressional Budget Office (CBO), CBO staff informally

estimates that the bill should not have any direct spending

or revenue effects and should have an annual discretionary

cost under CBO's de minimis threshold ($500,000).

While agreeing to waive consideration of S. 2009, the

Committee on Education and the Workforce does not waive any

jurisdiction that it has over provisions in the bill, nor

does it waive the right to seek appointment as conferees in

the event of a House-Senate conference on this or similar

legislation, should such a conference be convened.

Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,

John Kline,

Chairman.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Mr. Faleomavaega for the warm way in which he works with every member of our committee, and that is why it is a pleasure for all of us on the Committee on Foreign Affairs to do everything that we can to help the gentleman, because we know how important these bills are to him, as we can see, as we have heard. What we may consider to be a suspension bill that will not impact our daily lives, it impacts the many thousands of people whom he is so proud to represent in a very real and meaningful way.

So I thank him for his gentle manners. I thank him for his graciousness. I thank him for the important bills that he brings to our attention. And I want to tell him what an honor it is for

all of us on our committee to work with him in a bipartisan way.

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

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

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the Diaz-Balart amendment and to draw attention to a crisis that will soon hit the city of Miami and many other cities throughout south Florida, our State of Florida, and indeed throughout the Nation.

We are all aware of the difficult funding decisions that will need to be made by many departments and programs. Programs like the Community Development Block Grant may see overall reductions because of the sad realities of the current budget constraints and in the interest of fiscal responsibility. However, because of an arbitrary Community Development Block Grant expenditure cap, countless vulnerable citizens in the city of Miami and throughout the United States will lose their only means of sustenance.

This amendment is not about increased funding, Mr. Chairman, nor is it about changing the overall formula of the Community Development Block Grant. It is simply about providing greater flexibility to cities on how they allocate their CDBG funds. Currently, only 15 percent of Community Development Block Grant funds can go toward public services.

Now, what are public services? Well, they include food for senior citizens, the disabled, the homeless, the abused, or neglected children. They also may be used for child care, for health services, for job training services.

The city of Miami, which I am proud to represent, currently provides these vital services, especially meals, through the current Community Development Block Grant public services. But, because of the overall decrease in CDBG allocations, many disadvantaged men, women, and children will be without the vital support that they deserve and need.

This amendment is simply a painless solution to this development, allowing cities the flexibility they need in how they expand their CDBG funds. It would allow up to 25 percent of CDBG funds to go to public services, a position that has been endorsed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities.

The current 15 percent public service expenditure cap was enacted with the original statute over 30 years ago. It does not reflect the evolution of this program, nor the necessity to provide flexibility to local leaders on how funds should be expended during this time of belt tightening. The current restrictive and outdated limit has denied many communities the option of providing their residents with the most basic and necessary services within the framework established by the program.

CDBG public services have played a key role in providing crucial aid to our most at-risk and vulnerable constituents, especially during this enduring recession. Cities across our country have had to do more with less, and this amendment will help them accomplish just that.

I wish to thank Chairman Latham and his staff for working with Congressman Diaz-Balart and me on trying to give this flexibility through the proper channel to our local leaders.

With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 372, I inadvertently voted ``no''. I meant to vote ``aye.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Stated against:

Under clause 2 of rule XII, bills and reports were delivered to the Clerk for printing, and bills referred as follows:

[The following action occurred on May 30, 2012]

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN: Committee on Foreign Affairs. H.R. 1280.

A bill to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require

congressional approval of agreements for peaceful nuclear

cooperation with foreign countries, and for other purposes,

with an amendment; referred to the Committee on Energy and

Commerce for a period ending not later than October 1, 2012.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow Temple Israel of Miami will be celebrating its 90th anniversary. Temple Israel is a pillar of the South Florida Jewish community. It is one of South Florida's oldest treasures and our community has truly been blessed over the years by its presence.

From the very beginning, Temple Israel's founders believed that they could create an organization that would make a positive change in the community. They sought to create bonds of loyalty within the international Jewish community, and within the South Florida community. For 90 years now, the Temple Israel congregation has consistently lived up to this purpose. The early leaders set a tradition to ``live Judaism'' by being actively engaged in local, national and world issues. Temple Israel's congregation continues to be among the most civically engaged members of our South Florida community.

The Temple Israel congregation has not only had a positive impact on the Jewish residents in South Florida, but also the community as a whole. From housing the Bridgeport Academy charter school that provides education for students from diverse backgrounds, to their tutoring and housing programs like the Dorothy Serotta Social Justice Forum program, Temple Israel's congregation is actively involved in the community year round. The members of Temple Israel's congregation are a shining example of ``Tikkun Olam.'' They carry on the Temple's legacy of courage, compassion, service, and inclusiveness.

I cannot thank Temple Israel enough for its leadership and positive impact as we celebrate its 90th anniversary. I look forward to seeing how the organization evolves as it continues to make a significant mark on our South Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Our Lady of Lourdes Academy Constitution Team for yet another remarkable performance in the annual We the People Competition. Having won the right to represent the State of Florida by winning the State Championship in January, Lourdes came to Washington DC and placed an impressive 7th place nationally.

For 25 years, the We the People Competition has helped further civic education and awareness by testing students' depth of knowledge and ability to apply constitutional principles to both historical and current issues. The competition, conducted on the campus of George Mason University and in hearing rooms of the U.S. House of Representatives, takes the form of simulated congressional hearings. Students testify as constitutional experts before panels of judges acting as congressional committees who then score the groups.

The hard work and research put in by the team is a testament to their commitment to civic education, as well as to the guidance and instruction of their teacher Rosalie Heffernan. I know I join all of South Florida in expressing our pride and admiration for the Our Lady of Lourdes Academy Constitution Team and their remarkable accomplishment. Congratulations to: Paula Abarca, Emily Bezold, Michelle Bueno, Gabriela Corzo, Oliva Diaz de Villega, Amelia Garcia, Patricia Garcia-Linares, Gabriela Hildalgo, Anne-Marie Hunter, Alexandra Lazcano, Maria Mendoza, Fabiola Navarro, Caitlin Opperman, Rachel Perez, Kelsey Quigley, Brigette Quintana, Cristina Sanchez, Veronica Sanchez, Kiara Taquechel, Tiffany Valenti and Clarisse Vamos!

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4240) to reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend and to submit extraneous materials for the Record.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 4240, the Ambassador James R. Lilley and Congressman Stephen J. Solarz North Korea Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2012. I would like to thank my coauthor and ranking member, my good friend, Mr. Berman, and the dozens of bipartisan cosponsors who have joined us to continue the important human rights work that Congress began 9 years ago.

The North Korean regime remains one of the world's worst human rights abusers as the legacy of tyranny has been passed on to a new generation.

South Korea's National Human Rights Commission detailed, in a 380- page report released earlier this month, that Kim Jong-Un maintains the same hellish gulag as his father and grandfather before him.

Hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children are forced into slave labor, starved, and tortured to death in isolated camps. Even outside the camps, the North Korean people enjoy no freedoms of speech, religion, press, or assembly.

Officials crush any dissent and have reportedly authorized the on- the-spot execution of those attempting to flee the country.

A regime that maims its own people with impunity, cannot be trusted to keep its agreements with foreigners. Thus, solving the North Korean human rights issue is also an integral part of addressing the North Korean security threat.

North Korean women and girls are brutalized and trafficked in China, where they are sold into forced marriage and sexual slavery. And China, which sits on the Executive Board of the U.N.'s Refugee Protection Body, continues to forcibly repatriate North Koreans into danger.

H.R. 4240, Mr. Speaker, will continue the important bipartisan work of the North Korean Human Rights Act by extending, until the year 2017, its authorities to promote human rights, refugee protection, and freedom of information for the people of North Korea.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 568) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend and to submit extraneous materials for the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 568, which I introduced, together with the distinguished ranking member of the committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman), my friend.

The Iranian regime continues to pose an immediate and growing threat to the United States, to our allies, and to the Iranian people. In fact, just over the weekend, it was reported that the IAEA discovered a drawing that shows an explosive containment chamber of the type needed for nuclear arms-related tests. This was based on information from inside an Iranian military base.

Iran remains the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, aiding multiple groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas, which continue to destabilize the Middle East and which are responsible for the deaths of Americans. It was only a few months ago that U.S. officials foiled a planned attack on U.S. soil that was commissioned by the Iranian regime, and the Iranian regime is believed to have been behind the attacks against Israeli Embassies that took place earlier this year.

I have much more to say, Mr. Speaker, but at this time I will reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, as we know, Iran continues to sponsor violent extremist groups in Iraq and Afghanistan that have killed our men and women in uniform. With a nuclear weapons capability, the regime would dramatically increase its ability to threaten the United States and our allies.

We are running out of time to stop the nightmare of a nuclear weapons-capable Iran from becoming a reality. Estimates from the U.S. and Israeli officials indicate that Iran could develop nuclear weapons in less than 1 year. And even before the regime actually develops nuclear weapons, Iran may enter into what the Israeli Defense Minister calls a ``zone of immunity,'' and after that point we would have very few options left to actually stop Iran from going nuclear.

Right now, the regime is doing all it can to run down the clock and enter that zone of immunity. The most recent set of negotiations are just another way for Iran to hold off Western sanctions and buy more time to further their capabilities.

We need to stop the regime before it possesses the capability to develop nuclear weapons, not before it makes a decision to develop nuclear weapons, because we may not know that they have actually made that decision until it is too late. Once that regime enters into the zone of immunity, it can decide at any time to develop nuclear weapons, and we would probably not be able to stop them.

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

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

For the Iranian regime, the possession of the capability to produce a nuclear weapon would be almost as useful as actually having one. Tehran would be able to intimidate its neighbors and engage in even more threatening actions by reminding us that they could develop nuclear weapons anytime the regime wanted. Tehran might even decide not to reveal whether or not it had developed nuclear weapons, thereby keeping the world guessing and off balance indefinitely, all while claiming innocence. Tehran would be in the driver's seat, and the security of the United States, Israel, and our many other allies would be in their hands.

We need to make clear that containing a nuclear Iran is not an option, that nothing short of stopping Iran from developing a nuclear- weapons capability is good enough. So that is why Ranking Member Berman and I have introduced the resolution before us, House Resolution 568, which strongly supports preventing the Iranian regime from acquiring a nuclear-weapons capability. It rejects any policy that would rely on efforts to contain a nuclear weapons-capable Iran. It supports the right and democratic aspirations of the Iranian people. Lastly, it urges the President to reaffirm the unacceptability of an Iran with a nuclear-weapons capability and to oppose any policy that would rely on containment as an option.

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This resolution reaffirms the position of the House with respect to U.S. policy on Iran's nuclear program. Efforts to misrepresent this resolution really distract from the real problem, which is the increasing threat posed by Iran's nuclear program and the need to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapons capability.

Tehran has repeatedly lied to the world about its secret nuclear activities; Tehran has violated international nonproliferation obligations; and it has repeatedly threatened to destroy our ally Israel.

Just earlier this year, Ayatollah Khamenei said:

The truly cancerous Israel must be destroyed in the region,

and this will without doubt come to fruition.

It is abundantly clear that Iran cannot be trusted with uranium enrichment or any component of the nuclear program. Even the U.N. Security Council resolutions have demanded that Iran stop all uranium enrichment and reprocessing.

Unless compelled to change course, Iran will soon have all of the basic components or capabilities to produce a nuclear weapon. The only thing that would be left for them to do will be to put the pieces together.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran is expanding its stockpiles of uranium, advancing its missile capabilities, and burying and hiding its nuclear infrastructure. As if that were not enough, the smoking gun in the IAEA's November 2011 report was that Iran carried out, ``work on the development of an indigenous design of a nuclear weapon, including the testing of components.'' In addition, the IAEA uncovered evidence that Iran was attempting to miniaturize a warhead to fit on top of a ballistic missile.

As we fast-forward to this weekend, drawings were revealed showing a secret chamber at an Iranian military facility of the type needed for nuclear weapons testing. Again, the regime is building up its capacities on all fronts. When it has mastered all of these, Tehran would be able to intimidate its neighbors and engage in even more threatening actions, always with the threat that it could flip the switch and produce nuclear weapons at any time. At that point, the U.S. and other responsible nations would have no other option but to sit in fear of this nuclear-armed state sponsor of terrorism.

We must reaffirm our commitment to adoption of this resolution and stronger sanctions legislation to prevent this doomsday scenario from becoming a reality.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Some may put forth the argument that this resolution undermines and threatens the ongoing P5+1 negotiations. The truth is, Mr. Speaker, that the Iranian regime is using these negotiations as a way to buy time and continue enrichment without any additional sanctions.

Time and again, the United States has come to the table with Iran, made concession after concession, and left with nothing in return. In one example, last month, the Los Angeles Times reported that U.S. officials are now willing to let Iran continue enriching uranium, even though multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions demand that Iran immediately halt uranium enrichment. And today's New York Times included a report, entitled, ``Iran Sees Success in Stalling on Nuclear Issue,'' and the report states:

Iran's negotiation team may be less interested in reaching

a comprehensive settlement than in buying time and

establishing the legitimacy of its enrichment program.

I couldn't say it better. It's time to stop glorifying negotiations for the sake of negotiations. This resolution strengthens the U.S. position and our leverage.

With that, I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time to close on the resolution.

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

Just 2 months ago, President Obama extended the national emergency, as we heard, with respect to Iran, declaring that the regime's activities pose ``an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.''

Well, this resolution is an important statement, clarifying congressional commitment to countering the Iranian threat. However, our focus must be on rapidly and dramatically ratcheting up sanctions, without the glaring exceptions that we now have, in order to put our boot on the throat of this dangerous regime.

We must compel the Iranian regime to permanently and verifiably dismantle its nuclear program, abandon its unconventional and missile development programs, and end its support for violent extremism. We do not want to look back, Mr. Speaker, and wish that we had heeded the warning signs.

We anxiously await the other body's strengthening and passage of companion legislation to the measures that the House passed months ago. We must meet our responsibility to the American people and protect the security of our Nation, our allies, and the world from this threat of a nuclear capable Iran.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4133) to express the sense of Congress regarding the United States-Israel strategic relationship, to direct the President to submit to Congress reports on United States actions to enhance this relationship and to assist in the defense of Israel, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012, of which I am an original cosponsor; and I thank the distinguished majority leader and minority whip for sponsoring this important legislation.

The democratic Jewish State of Israel is our closest and most important ally. We share the same interests. We share the same values. And, lamentably, we share the same threats.

Today, 64 years after Israel's founding, these same shared threats to both of our nations are stark and they are growing--particularly the threat posed by the Iranian regime, which continues racing towards nuclear-weapons capabilities, and by Iran's partner in crime, the Assad regime in Syria. Israel continues to face the danger of Iranian- sponsored violent extremists, including Hamas and Hezbollah, which continue to expand their capabilities to threaten Israeli civilians and its infrastructure with tens of thousands of rockets, mortars, and missiles.

As a result of our shared commitments, the United States and Israel have worked together to advance technologies and policies to keep both of our countries safe and secure. Israel's proximity to the Iran-Syria- Hamas-Hezbollah nexus eliminates any room for error in Israel's defense capabilities.

We are here today to reaffirm our unequivocal support for Israel's right to

defend herself. And even beyond affirming Israel's right to defend herself, we aim to expand Israel's ability to protect her citizens against the dangers which they are subjected to day after day.

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that our country should support an increase to the totality of our bilateral security relations--from joint missile defense systems, intelligence cooperation, military exercises between the United States and Israel, to increasing Air Force training as well as providing increased excess defense articles and munitions to Israel.

This legislation also seeks to counter the Israel bashing that has become commonplace in international forums such as the United Nations. The United States must not allow Israel to be isolated and demonized in international organizations and must work together to withdraw U.S. participation in and funding from organizations that do so.

This legislation also extends the authority to provide loan guarantees to the Israeli Government that provide the Jewish state with a cushion of support in times of need at no cost to the American taxpayer.

As the United States and Israel work together to stop the challenges posed by the Iranian and Syrian regimes, and by violent extremists like Hezbollah and Hamas, the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, the bill before us today, marks the triumph that we have achieved through our existing cooperation and advances our alliance to new levels.

I want to again thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their strong support for this measure.

And with that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to submit remarks and include extraneous material on the legislation under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), who has the honor of chairing our Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), a member of our Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Judiciary.

Mr. Speaker, what an honor it is to yield 1 minute to our esteemed majority leader, Mr. Cantor, the coauthor of this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly), an esteemed member of our Committee on Foreign Affairs.

I thank my good friend from California. We just have a few more speakers.

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Dr. Murphy, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan), who is a member of our Foreign Affairs Committee and also a member of the Homeland Security and Natural Resources Committees.

I am proud to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.

(Mr. SMITH of New Jersey asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert), a member of the Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the remaining time, and I thank my good friend from California (Mr. Berman) for his leadership role in bringing this bill to the floor today. I thank our majority leader, Mr. Cantor, as well as the minority whip, Mr. Hoyer.

This bill before us, Madam Speaker, the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, is an important one. It sends a clear signal and a clear message throughout the world, to our friends and to our enemies, that the United States stands foursquare with our indispensable ally, the democratic Jewish State of Israel. This bill is a reaffirmation of our staunch commitment to Israel's security, its right to self-defense, and its right to exist. It is a testament to our friendship with Israel that has served us so well for the last 64 years, and will continue to serve us well for many generations to come. And it is a pledge that the United States and Israel, continuing to work together, will address the challenges to our common security so that we can ensure a safe, prosperous, and free future for both of our Nations.

With that, Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a remarkable woman who has meant so much to our South Florida community--Ofelia Ruder. Ofelia has dedicated her life in service to the Cuban Hebrew Congregation of Miami for the last 50 years, starting out as Secretary in 1962 and eventually becoming its Executive Director.

For the last half-century, Ofelia has been the cornerstone of the Cuban Hebrew Congregation in Miami Beach. Through her tireless work on behalf of the congregation she has become an influential leader and role-model, not just for the Cuban-Jewish community, but for South Florida as a whole.

What started out as a small group of Jewish Cuban families in 1961, many of whom having been forced to flee their home country for a second time, the Cuban Hebrew Congregation has become a dynamic and thriving institution that represents a cultural and educational epicenter for Judaism in South Florida. The Cuban Hebrew Congregation's community, ``El Circulo,'' with Ofelia at the forefront, has been committed to outstanding service to the Jewish community. For more than half a century Ofelia has been actively engaging our entire community, committed to improving our South Florida community and instilling the importance of community service and unity among those around her.

In addition to her numerous accomplishments, Ofelia is a proud mother of two sons, Albert and Bernie, who have continued her legacy of public service and have become dedicated public servants themselves.

On behalf of ``El Circulo'' and the entire South Florida community, I wish to congratulate and thank Ofelia for her 50 years of service with the Cuban Hebrew Congregation. I expect to hear ever greater things yet from Ofelia and the Cuban Hebrew Congregation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a great south Floridian and a dear friend, Guarione Diaz, who after 34 years as President and CEO of the Cuban American National Council is retiring. He leaves behind an immense legacy of service. Fleeing Castro's tyrannical regime in 1961, Guarione left his native Cuba and immigrated to the United States. While working odd jobs, he graduated with a degree in sociology and philosophy from St. Francis College in New York. He later received his masters in social work from Columbia University. Guarione first worked for New York City's Department of Employment and the Community Development Agency, where he held numerous management positions. In 1972, Guarione was invited by Father Mario Vizcaino to join CNC. Initially named the Cuban National Planning Council, the Council was the first non-profit organization conducting research on the socio-economic needs of Cuban Americans in the United States. In less than a decade, the Council transformed itself to address the educational, housing, employment needs of all Hispanics.

I have had the privilege to have worked with CNC on numerous occasions. From pre-school programs to internships to employment services and low-income housing, CNC has helped prevent so many in our community from slipping through the cracks. It has been a tremendous asset and support system for so many in our south Florida community. Not only has CNC assisted those who have fallen on hard times, they have also nurtured the next generation of Hispanic leaders.

Even though his public persona has been as head of the Cuban American National Council, I consider Guarione a part of my extended family. Given that he has been friends with my dad for nearly 50 years, he has been a dear part of my life for as long as I can remember. His life has always been marked by a sense of responsibility towards those most vulnerable in our society. Guarione's entire professional career has been centered on this mission.

Whether it's his work with community organizations, such as the National Association for the Hispanic Elderly, National Council of La Raza and the Florida Commission on Education Reform and Accountability, Guarione has never forgotten his roots or commitment to provide help for those who most need it. In many ways, his experiences as a Cuban exile have informed so much of what he has done. As a fellow Cuban- American, I know the indelible mark that is left by the struggles of leaving one's homeland and fighting against tyranny. The desire to give back to this great Nation that welcomed so many of us with open arms, as we fled Castro's totalitarian grip, is something Guarione has never forgotten. Even though Guarione will be an irreplaceable voice as he retires from CNC's leadership, his legacy will be the foundation for what I am sure will be CNC's continued success.