Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, the jobs report last week was fewer jobs than anticipated, as Biden policies of spend, borrow, and tax destroys jobs.

Stephen Moore, of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity explains: ``We have way, way too much government growth and borrowing, and too little private-sector growth.

``In the first quarter of this year, the Federal Government borrowed $500 billion.

``Most of the new jobs in the economy were government dependent.''

Worse yet, Biden claims that he has created jobs, which is actually COVID recovery.

The New York spectacle continues of corrupt Judge Merchan persecuting Donald Trump as violent protesters demanding death to Jews take over the streets. Judge Merchan is corrupt in that he has conflicts of interest. Judge Merchan is corrupt in that he has provided and denied a change of venue. Corrupt Judge Merchan has selective persecution. Corrupt Judge Merchan has concealed the witness list and confuses misdemeanors. Corrupt Judge Merchan has denied President Trump his First Amendment rights of free speech.

As a former town judge myself, I especially know Judge Merchan is corrupting the rule of law. Judge Merchan is a disgrace to the American people.

Mr. Speaker, last week a beloved former pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away but will always be cherished as evidenced by his obituary.

Dr. Glen C. Knecht, Sr., 94, was received into the glory of

his Savior on April 23, 2024, at his home, Laurel Haven, in

Laurel, MD. Born March 19, 1930, in Ogdensburg, NY, son of

Robert and Wilma Knecht, Glen grew up in Syracuse, NY. Glen

was brought to transformative, saving faith in his Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ at summer camp as a teenager.

At 16, Glen began attending Maryville College where he met

the love of his life, Betty Jane Greenwald. As the story

goes, on their first date she told him she wanted to be a

country schoolteacher and Glen replied, ``That's great

because I want to be a country preacher!'' Glen went on to

graduate from Maryville and later from both Fuller

Theological Seminary and Princeton Seminary where he received

a Master of Theology Degree. He also received a Doctor of

Divinity Degree (Honorary) from Covenant College, Lookout

Mountain, GA.

Their marriage ceremony was broadcast on the live CBS

television program, Bride and the Broom and from there the

couple embarked on a 72-year journey of service and devotion

to the Lord and each other. Together, they answered the call

to missionary work in Tabriz, Iran in 1958, and traversed the

Atlantic Ocean with their young children, Todd and Beth, in

tow. While in Iran, he provided a complete seminary education

to an Iranian pastor. He preached in both Persian and Turkish

in the church there and in English to the U.S. government

personnel in Tabriz. After five years, their term was

complete. They returned to the U.S. again by boat, having

added Wendy and Janet to the family.

Glen's first pastorate was at the Union Presbyterian Church

in Kirkwood, Pennsylvania where he served before departing

for the mission field. Upon his return he served for eight

years as pastor of the Oxford Presbyterian Church in Oxford,

Pennsylvania, during which Glen, Jr. and daughter, Amy, were

born. His next pastorate was at the Wallace Memorial

Presbyterian Church (then located) in Hyattsville, Maryland,

a stone's throw from the U.S. Capitol. Glen served as senior

pastor there from 1971-1983. From 1983-1997, he was Senior

Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC. From

1997-2007 he served at Fourth Presbyterian Church, in

Bethesda, MD, first as Assistant Pastor (Minister of

Visitation) and then as Associate Pastor for Congregational

Care. His last pastorate was at the Christ Reformed

Evangelical Church, Annapolis, MD from 2007-2016. He was a

member of the Potomac Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church

of America at the time of his death.

He was honored to pastor the historic First Presbyterian

Church of Columbia, SC. The kindness and generosity of that

congregation blessed the entire Knecht family. During these

sweet years in Columbia, their daughter, Janet's condition

with MS worsened. The First Presbyterian Church family

lovingly cared for them, by putting in a pool for Janet's

therapy in the backyard of the manse. While serving in

Columbia, he was named to the Order of the Palmetto in 1997,

by South Carolina Governor David Beasley, the state's highest

civilian honor, given to citizens for lifetime achievements

and contributions that have significantly benefited South

Carolina.

Glen had a love for Iranian people throughout his life, as

well as for all believers in the persecuted church around the

world. He traveled to Pakistan, Ukraine, Cypress, and

Ethiopia on short-term mission trips. Through the years Glen

influenced countless men and women to follow Christ through

his preaching and Christ-like character. He will be

remembered for his generosity, hospitality, and his devotion

to prayer. His firm convictions regarding honoring the Fourth

Commandment, led him to write the book, The Day God Made,

concerning the Sabbath, published in 2003 by Banner of Truth.

Glen or ``Gra'', as he became known by his grandchildren,

is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty Jane Greenwald

Knecht, son, Todd R. Knecht, (Jane), daughter, Elizabeth

Myers, (Thomas), daughter Wendy Higgins, (Craig), son Glen C.

Knecht, Jr. (Beth), and daughter Amy Frierson, (Frick). He is

also surviving by 17 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren

(so far) and many dear nieces and nephews. Glen was preceded

in death by his daughter, Jane Lynn Dick (Jonathan), his

parents, his sister, Nancy Cimbal and brothers Robert and

Gerald Knecht. We loved him all the way to Heaven!.

``For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the

whole earth, to give strong support to those who heart is

blameless toward him.'' II Chronicles 16:9.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize Michael Geffroy for his dedicated congressional staff service as General Counsel to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

During the 118th Congress, Michael has been a valued member of the Commission, and I am grateful for his important work for the American people and protecting democracy. Michael's rich national security, legal, and military background contributed greatly to the work of our team. I value his counsel and it has been a pleasure working together to advance the Commission's noble mission of promoting human rights, bolstering military security, and furthering economic cooperation across the expansive landscape of 57 countries spanning Europe, Eurasia, and North America.

Prior to his service as General Counsel to the U.S. Helsinki Commission, Michael served in the Congress as the General Council to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, as the Deputy Staff Director and Chief Council to the Committee on Homeland Security in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as the Deputy Special Council to the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina. He also served as an Assistant Director in the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Department of the Treasury, as a Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division at the Department of Justice, and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia.

Michael is a decorated veteran and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (ret). His more than 25 years of commissioned service includes tours with the First Marine Expeditionary Force in Afghanistan and Iraq.

I am grateful to Michael for his service to the Helsinki Commission and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, the violent anti-Semitic hatred on American college campuses is revealing of leftwing bigotry.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal editorialized: ``Anti-Israel, anti-Semitic protests at Columbia, Yale, and elsewhere are getting uglier, and it isn't clear the progressives in charge of these institutions are up to the job of enforcing order or protecting Jewish students.''

Yesterday, New York was sadly revealing with a corrupt Democrat judge gagging the Republican candidate for President as a corrupt Democrat district attorney proceeded to drop charges on violent supporters of terrorism seeking murder of all Jews. Deranged Democrats smear Republicans and appease murderers of Jews.

In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism moves from the Afghanistan safe haven to America. We do not need new border laws; we need to enforce existing laws. Biden shamefully opens the borders to dictators as more 9/11 attacks across America are imminent, as repeatedly warned by the FBI. Thank you Ambassador Motaz Zahran of Egypt for briefing Congress today.

Mr. Speaker, as we enter National Small Business Week, the failed policies of Biden have made it nearly impossible for them to succeed.

Last week, the Commerce Department reported that economic growth for the country is weaker than expected.

The gross domestic product for first quarter, a measure of goods and services produced, grew at its slowest pace in two years--while prices rose at a faster rate, destroying jobs.

Small businesses account for nearly half of the American private job creation and forty-three percent of the employees in South Carolina. The National Federation of Independent Businesses with local chambers make a difference from North Augusta to Blythewood to Orangeburg and Barnwell.

House Republicans are fighting to protect small businesses and create jobs.

In conclusion, God Bless Our Troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the Global War on Terrorism moves from the Afghanistan safe haven to America. We do not need new border laws; we need to enforce existing laws. Biden shamefully opens borders for dictators, as more 9/11 attacks across America are imminent, as warned by the FBI.

Congratulations to Speaker Mike Johnson for promoting Peace Through Strength to deter dictators. Lawfare persecution must stop as President Trump persecution and Hamas terrorists provided amnesty.

Mr. Speaker, small businesses continue to face major challenges due to lingering impacts of COVID-19, high inflation, and limited access to capital, and other resources.

Thankfully, in South Carolina and across the Nation, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provide critical assistance to small businesses through a network of over 3,000 skilled and trusted business advisors--at no fee.

The South Carolina SBDC, led by Director Michele Abraham with a team of over 50 professionals, assisted 4,523 individuals in 2023 alone to:

Create and retain 2,355 jobs

Obtain $89.9 million in capital investments

Increase revenues by $50.3 million

Start 203 new businesses, and

Win $10.9 million in government contracts

This resulted in a net federal tax return for the jobs impacted of eight times what we invested in the program. In other words, the return on investment is stellar.

Hosted by a consortium of four universities--Clemson, South Carolina State, University of South Carolina, and Winthrop--the South Carolina SBDC serves all small businesses regardless of race, gender, location, or military status.

We are grateful for the work they do and the lives we see changed day-in and day-out.

Mr. Speaker, today I am grateful to honor the remarkable life of Mrs. Beverly Jean LaHaye, founder, and former chairman of Concerned Women for America (CWA), the Nation's largest public policy women's organization. On Sunday, April 14, 2024, she passed from this life, leaving behind a legacy that will endure through the ages, shaping the lives of countless individuals. I am grateful for the profound impact Mrs. LaHaye left upon us all and her unwavering commitment to God and public ministry and offer my sympathy to her family. Included in the Congressional Record is the following obituary for Mrs. Beverly Jean LaHaye:

Beverly Jean Davenport was born on April 30, 1929, in

Detroit, Michigan, the second daughter of Lowell and Nellie

Davenport. Her father died when she was merely two years old,

and her mother got remarried to a kindly neighbor man with

whom she had two more children. Raised in an evangelical

household, Beverly's faith was a very important part of her

life.

Beverly attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, South

Carolina, where she met ministerial student Tim LaHaye, who

was an Army Air Force veteran of WWII. The two fell in love,

and he was ready to propose marriage by Christmas break of

their first year. They married the following summer before

returning to school, Not long after, they welcomed their

first child, Linda, into their family. After graduating, the

young family moved to Minnetonka, Minnesota, where Tim

pastored a small church, and together, they served the people

of that community. Their two sons, Larry and Lee, were born

there.

In 1956, they relocated to San Diego, California, to begin

their ministry at Scott Memorial Baptist Church. Their

youngest daughter, Lori, was born soon thereafter. Throughout

their ministry together, Beverly served as an integral part

of whatever God had called them to do. When the church needed

a secretary, Beverly stepped up to fill the role. When the

junior Sunday school department needed a director, the young

pastor's wife met the need.

During that time of life, Beverly had the opportunity to

hear from a well-known Christian speaker who taught on the

importance of being fitted with the Holy Spirit. She was

introduced to the concept that walking in the Spirit meant

full dependence on Christ, no matter what she was called to

do. She was challenged to commit an aspects of her life . . .

her marriage, her parenting, her fears, and her insecurities,

into the hands of her Savior. This teaching changed her

world.

God began to direct her steps to do more public ministry,

including speaking at women's ministry events and working

alongside her husband in his ministry to married couples

through Family Life Seminars. Additionally, she was

challenged to write, and over the course of her life Beverly

had written or co-written many books, including The Spirit-

Controlled Woman, How to Develop Your Child's Temperament,

and The Desires of a Woman's Heart. Her books were one more

way she could communicate God's truth to women on subjects

that were increasingly coming under attack in the culture

around her, namely womanhood, motherhood, and devotion to

family.

In 1978, Beverly saw Barbara Walters' interview with Betty

Friedan, the founder of the National Organization for Women.

While watching, Beverly was convicted that she must speak on

behalf of millions of women who were not being represented by

the feminist philosophy. Friedan's purpose, according to

LaHaye, was to promote homosexuality, abortion on demand, and

thoroughly ``undermine the core of American culture: the

family.''

God led Beverly to begin an organization that would provide

a platform to advance conservative values in politics and

policy. Concerned Women for America was launched at a rally

hosted by LaHaye in a local San Diego theatre. CWA began as a

local interest, but within two years, it had grown to become

a national organization aimed at protecting and promoting

Biblical and constitutional principles through prayer,

education, and advocacy.

Believing that prayer was vital to the success of every

endeavor, Beverly founded CWA on the principles of prayer and

action. CWA became a fast-growing grassroots organization of

conservative women and men who were challenged and educated

to pray for their country and its leaders, as well as to take

action in their communities, states, and even at the national

level.

In 1985, Beverly moved CWA headquarters from San Diego to

Washington, D.C. Both she and Tim believed this move was

vital in order for CWA to have its greatest impact on the

culture as the organization continued to expand. Beverly's

growing influence in the conservative movement, as well as

Republicans holding a majority place in office, led to

LaHaye's prominence during the presidencies of Ronald Reagan

and George H.W. Bush. She regularly testified in

congressional hearings, including Supreme Court nomination

hearings for Antonin Scalia, Robert Bork, and Clarence

Thomas.

Initially, Mrs. LaHaye jumped into the debate over the

Equal Rights Amendment, helping lead the opposition to it as

well as advocating for the life of the unborn. As time went

on, other vital family-oriented issues arose that demanded

attention. She led CWA to speak out on the protection of

marriage, support for Israel, and more. Additionally, God led

Beverly to add a legal defense department to CWA's growing

list of involvement as opportunities arose to be a voice on

behalf of women and men embattled in the court in the areas

of life, marriage, education, and freedom of religion.

During the 1980s, Beverly's heart of compassion led her to

reach out to Nicaraguan families who were displaced by the

communist regime in their country. On numerous occasions,

Mrs. LaHaye led teams of volunteers to the jungles of Costa

Rica, where they provided much-needed aid to refugees fleeing

from their own country. CWA established a refuge station in

the jungle which provided clothes, food, education, medical

assistance, and, most importantly, hope to these struggling

people.

The influence of CWA has spread throughout the country,

with chapters in almost every state. As chair and founder,

Beverly hosted an award-winning radio talk show and appeared

in numerous media interviews. Beverly would not hesitate to

accept the opportunity to be the voice of Christian women on

national television, often in direct debate against some of

the leading feminist and pro-choice voices of the day. She

always conducted herself with grace and dignity and spoke

truth with strength and clarity.

Throughout her years in leadership, Beverly has received

many awards, including Christian Woman of the Year, the

Southern Baptist Convention's ``Religious Freedom Award,'' as

well as ``Talk Show of the Year'' in 1993 or the Beverly

LaHaye Live radio program. In 1994, she was honored by the

U.S. House of Representatives for service to her country, and

in 2016, she was recognized by the Faith and Freedom

Coalition with the ``Winston Churchill Lifetime Achievement

Award.'' Most recently, in 2023 Beverly was named one of the

50 greatest pro-life leaders in the past 50 years.

Mrs. LaHaye retired from her role as President of CWA in

2006. She and Tim returned to Southern California, where they

were closer to family. She continued to serve as Chairman of

the board for CWA until her retirement in 2020. In addition,

she continued to accept speaking engagements and served on

various boards for Christian colleges and organizations. Well

into her eighties, Beverly still loved to be a voice in the

cause and to educate future generations of Christian

activists.

Throughout her life, Beverly's family was very important to

her. She invested in them personally and prayerfully. While

her life was very busy, whenever possible, she tried to carve

out time to visit her children and grandchildren wherever

they were living. She organized family trips and

opportunities for them all to be together.

In 2016, Beverly lost the love of her life, Tim, to a

stroke at the age of 90. They had been married for 69 years.

He was her greatest champion, her encourager, and true

soulmate. Ten months later, her son, Lee, also passed away.

It was a year of incredible loss for her. She took great

solace in the company of her remaining children, nine

grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

Beverly LaHaye was not born into privilege nor blessed with

extraordinary skills and abilities. Her life is a beautiful

demonstration of what God can do with a person who is fully

devoted to Him. She was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ

all the days of her life and God used her in extraordinary

ways to make a difference in the world around her.

Madam Speaker, the visionary Ben Shapiro, editor emeritus of The Daily Wire and host of the top conservative podcast in America, wrote ``Why Speaker Johnson Is Correct'' on Thursday. His defense of Speaker Johnson has been re- enforced by Mark Levin and General Jack Keane.

In supporting the people of Taiwan, it is crucial to be a deterrence to the China Communist Party invading, saving hundreds of thousands of lives.

As the son of a Flying Tiger in World War II who served in Kunming, Chengdu, and Xian, I grew up with an appreciation of people of Chinese heritage.

America will stand with the people of Taiwan, with South Korea, Japan, Israel, and Ukraine. We are the greatest nation on Earth, and we have to act like it. This is a basic Reagan Republicanism.

In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism moves from the Afghanistan safe haven to America. We do not need new voter laws. We need to enforce the existing laws. Biden shamefully opens the borders for dictators as more 9/11 attacks across America are imminent, as repeatedly warned by the FBI.

Mr. Speaker, we are in a war we didn't choose. Dictators with rule of gun are invading democracies with rule of law.

We see this with the invasion by Putin, but I am really grateful to see the bipartisanship here today.

Donald Trump established the Embassy in Jerusalem. He stood with Israel. He sent Javelin missiles to stop Putin in Ukraine. He put American troops in Poland to stop war criminal Putin. It was Donald Trump who tried to stop Nord Stream 2, which finances the oppression by Putin of the people of Russia, leading to the assassination of Alexei Navalny.

Mr. Speaker, last week, on April 2, The New York Post published an op-ed which explained the proven conservative position of peace through strength.

This confirms the world-changing success of promoting and expanding freedom of Senator Barry Goldwater and President Ronald Reagan.

Nearly 20 countries now in central and eastern Europe and Central Asia are now free because we stood firm and stood up with our Allies to defeat the Communist threat, and now we are facing, indeed, war criminal Putin, who wants to recreate the Soviet Union.

``Kudos to Speaker Johnson: Moving Ukraine Aid is Critical to National Security'' by Daniel Kochis, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute--and I am very grateful that Ambassador Governor Nikki Haley will soon be a valued fellow at the Hudson Institute--quoting: ``Speaker Mike Johnson's Easter announcement that he'll bring a new Ukraine-aid package to a vote . . . is welcome news.''

Sadly, we are in a war we did not choose, between dictators with rule of gun invading democracies with rule of law, and we need to be standing firm for the borders of Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, President Biden and far- left Democrats continue to jeopardize the safety of American families and national security with open borders.

Mr. Biden's failure has allowed over 9 million illegal aliens to cross our borders, including more than 300 on the terrorist watch list. Due to Mr. Biden's irresponsibility, all families are at risk, as evidenced by the brutal murder of nursing student Laken Riley of Georgia.

House Republicans continue to work to protect Americans and strengthen our borders, including passage of the Secure the Border Act to reinforce border security and impeaching Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas, who shamefully put every American family at risk of murderous attack.

In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism moves from the Afghanistan safe haven to America. We don't need new border laws; we need to enforce the laws we have. Biden shamefully opens borders for dictators, as more 9/11 attacks across America are imminent, as repeatedly warned by the FBI.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Moore for his leadership. We appreciate it very much.

Mr. Speaker, last week, on April 2, the New York Post published an op-ed that explained the proven conservative position of peace through strength. This continues the world-changing success for expanding freedom of Senator Barry Goldwater and President Ronald Reagan. There are over 20 countries now of Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia that are free today because of the defeat of Soviet communism, which war criminal Putin wants to revive.

The article is titled: ``Kudos to Speaker Johnson: Moving Ukraine aid is critical to national security,'' by Daniel Kochis, a senior fellow of the Hudson Institute's Center on Europe and Eurasia. The Hudson Institute was founded by the visionary Herman Kahn and is universally respected for its research and accuracy.

I am grateful to find and learn that Ambassador and Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina will now be a valued fellow.

The column in the New York Post reads: ``Speaker Mike Johnson's Easter announcement that he will bring a new Ukraine aid package to a vote . . . is welcome news. Congressional backing for Ukraine assistance has been mired in the political muck for months. More than 5,000 miles away on the front lines, the maddening impasse has needlessly cost Ukrainian lives and territory.

``Three-quarters of Americans recognize that the Russian war against Ukraine and the conflicts that allies Israel and Taiwan face are important to U.S. national interests. It is time Congress got on the same page as its constituents and found a way to move critical support over the finish line.

``For Ukraine, the dearth of new aid has left soldiers to ration ammunition. Russia's artillery advantage has consequently increased by an order of magnitude. Moscow has been firing five times the number of shells per day as Kyiv for most of the year.''

This isn't in the article, Mr. Speaker, but you should understand many of these shells came from North Korea, from the dictatorship in the DPRK, which is also threatening our allies South Korea and Japan.

``Russian forces simply out-pummeled Ukraine's defenders. Some good news came 2 weeks ago: The Czech Republic has stepped into the breach in a major way, scouring the world to secure 800,000 artillery shells. The first batch could reach Ukraine early this month, a lifeline that will allow defending forces to start shooting more rounds, secure in the knowledge that replacements are on the way.

``But while the Czech Republic's role as intermediary in finding, purchasing, and securing permissions for the export of critical stocks of munitions is phenomenal, it won't fill the void left by a lack of American assistance and leadership.''

``It is in America's interest to continue to aid our friends, most especially those defending their families and homes in Ukraine. Inaction not only harms U.S. national interests; it is expressly not what the American people have told policymakers they desire.

``Multiple recent polls have found a majority of Americans continue to back the aid to Ukraine, both economic and military. Behind closed doors, most congressional Members recognize the importance of continuing assistance. . . .

``From a military point of view, Ukraine is far better off today than it was 2 years ago and Russia far worse. And though from a moral perspective, the war remains starkly black and white . . . declined. . . .

``The administration allowing the war to fester by continuing to balk at sending Ukraine the systems it needs to win hasn't helped. . . .

``Team Biden's shockingly shortsighted and incompetent Afghanistan withdrawal is still fresh in the minds of many Americans, and they do not want a repeat. But failing to robustly stand with Ukraine and decisively defeat Russia makes this specter more likely to happen. The outcome of Russia's genocidal campaign there will have far broader implications for America's future security than either Afghanistan or Iraq. There is, however, room for optimism.

``Unlike in Afghanistan or Iraq, America is not a combatant in Ukraine, but we do benefit from its success. Despite some recent territorial setbacks, Ukraine can defeat Russia and its backers in Beijing, Pyongyang, and Tehran--if it has its allies' consistent, stout backing.

``The situation on the front lines--and in the minds of Americans--is far from irretrievable, but it starts with Congress finding the will to do what is in the long-term American interest: Send Russian President Vladimir Putin a clear bipartisan message that the United States will stand by Ukraine for the long haul.

``Conservative lawmakers certainly have a duty to engage the administration on the migrant crisis, an issue of key importance to the public, but they should do so separately, recognizing Ukraine's national security importance. Linking aid to migration is a disservice to the American people. Support for Ukraine is not a worthless donation but a downpayment on a more secure and prosperous future. The American people know this; Congress should prove it does too.''

Additionally, I include in the Congressional Record an op-ed that I provided in The Washington Times of February 9, 2022. This indicates: ``Why Ukraine Matters for American Families: A destabilized world with higher inflation, gas prices.''

[From the Washington Times, Feb. 9, 2022]

Why Ukraine Matters for American Families

(By Joe Wilson)

Why does Ukraine matter for American families? Simply put:

Energy prices, inflation and the empowerment of our

adversaries across the world. Russian President Vladimir

Putin wants to recreate the Soviet empire, divide our allies

in Europe, and expand his malign influence across the globe.

Rather than former President Donald Trump's approach of

Peace Through Strength, President Biden's foreign policy can

best be characterized as war through weakness. During the

Trump administration, Mr. Putin never attempted anything

close to such an invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Putin understood

that a severe price would be paid, as Mr. Trump, along with

Congress, more than tripled the size of the European

Deterrence Initiative, providing military support to

countries on Russia's borders, and selling Javelin missiles

to Ukraine, which former President Barack Obama failed to

deliver.

The Biden administration gave Mr. Putin the biggest gift an

American president has ever given the Russian dictator by

waiving sanctions required by Congress in the Protecting

Europe's Energy Security Act, despite Mr. Putin's hacking and

shutting down the Colonial Pipeline for six days, and

shocking gas prices, just months earlier. Mr. Putin's answer:

more aggression and the largest-ever military buildup on

Ukraine's border. Rather than push back, Mr. Biden just two

weeks ago appeared fine with a ``minor incursion'' into

Ukraine. Biden officials have floated pulling back missile

defense deployments in Europe, limiting the size and scope of

military exercises, and even reentering the failed

Intermediate Nuclear Forces treaty, which was violated by

Russia and was withdrawn from by Mr. Trump, if Mr. Putin

promised not to enter Ukraine. Yet even Mr. Biden seems to

understand that his policy has completely failed, with CNN

reporting that Mr. Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr

Zelenskyy on Thursday that an invasion by Russia is all but

assured.

Mr. Putin wants to keep Ukraine dependent on Russian oil.

He wants the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to neutralize Germany.

With money, the oligarchs controlling the oppressed Russian

people can attempt to re-

create the Soviet empire with a military-industrial complex,

recently developing hypersonic missiles to attack America as

Russia threatens to send troops in Cuba and Venezuela. In

addition, Mr. Putin is working closer than ever with China in

the military and economic arenas. Both countries are directly

helping Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism,

bypass American sanctions.

The effect of a war in Ukraine on American families will be

catastrophic. China is following our weak response to Mr.

Putin's aggression in Ukraine closely, in addition to our

surrender in Afghanistan, as it threatens Taiwan in an

unprecedented fashion and moves even closer to aggression

against the island. In addition, the results will be felt by

Germany, Japan, Korea, Israel and India with the cost of gas

increasing, doubling in my state of South Carolina alone,

from the Trump administration to the Biden administration,

crippling families with more inflation as transportation and

delivery costs create shortages.

On my visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, in December, I was shocked

that the Biden response was repeating the Afghanistan

disaster of leaving Americans behind to provide $40 million

``after the invasion.'' Of note, there are currently 10,000

Americans in Ukraine, and 14,000 Ukrainians died in the 2014

Putin invasion.

I am grateful with bipartisan cooperation, the Biden

policies have changed to reinforce the Trump policies of

javelin missiles to Ukraine, reinforcing American troops in

Poland, and promoting blocking of Nord Stream 2. It was

revealing that our Delegation Leader, Democrat Ruben Gallego

of Arizona, was publicly threatened in a television interview

by a member of the Russian Duma to be kidnapped and brought

to Moscow for trial for supporting Kyiv.

The Biden policy should be Peace Through Strength. War can

be avoided if we impose real costs on Mr. Putin. The latest

defensive weapons for land, air and sea should be provided to

Ukraine, the largest country in Europe by geography with 43

million citizens. Our German allies should terminate Nord

Stream 2 and its corruption forever. We should also

immediately kick Russia out of the International SWIFT Code

System, sanction the Russian financial system and sovereign

debt to ensure that Mr. Putin does not have the resources to

finance an invasion.

I was grateful to co-lead the Putin Accountability Act with

the Republican Study Committee, which would do just that

along with sanctions of Mr. Putin and his family directly,

and his network of corrupt oligarchs.

Indeed, this op-ed, over 2 years old, actually is as true today as it was when it was published; that is, it does matter to American families, and we need to be understanding to protect the borders of Ukraine, of Israel, Taiwan, and America.

Mr. Speaker, since Biden came to office, the pocketbooks of American families have been assaulted.

Upon his arrival, inflation was just 1.4 percent, but with Bidenflation of spend, borrow, and tax, inflation has reached a 40-year high, destroying jobs.

Bidenflation is a tax on American citizens and a direct result of the reckless spending of Biden and far-left Democrats, costing households over $12,000 more a year just for the basics.

Examples of such price increases include eggs, which are up by 49 percent; baby food, up 31 percent; electricity, up 29 percent; pet food, up 24 percent; and coffee, up 20 percent.

House Republicans will continue to fight to reduce inflation and create jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism moves from the Afghanistan safe haven to America. We do not need new border laws. We need to enforce the current existing laws. Biden shamefully opens the borders for dictators as more 9/11 attacks across America are imminent, as warned by the FBI.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5826) to require a report on sanctions under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, 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 include extraneous material on this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act.

For 45 years, the outrageous regime in Tehran has kidnapped American hostages. It is a cruel, yet consistent, part of this bloodthirsty regime's character. Iran utilizes hostage-taking as a negotiating tactic and a funding mechanism. In doing so, Iran repeatedly victimizes innocent Americans and their families who endure years of false accusations, wretched conditions, and separation. No one deserves this treatment. Iranian Americans are very successful and appreciated in America, and all Americans equally appreciate the oppressed people of Iran.

Unfortunately, both the Obama and Biden administrations have made the catastrophic mistake of cutting financial deals with Iran in order to free hostages. Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, Iran sees dollar signs whenever it sees American passports. It knows it can take innocent Americans, hold them in prison for years, and see a windfall at the end. This is the same tactic of war criminal Putin, kidnapping Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

In 2016, the Obama administration ignorantly capitulated a $1.7 billion ransom to Iran, including a $400 million payment in pallets of cash at the same time that Iran released four U.S. hostages.

At the time, many warned that if the United States Government would pay for hostages, then Iran would keep taking them and demand a higher and higher price.

Sure enough, in the next 7 years, Iran continued to hold and collect more American hostages. These people suffered away from their families and were deprived of their liberty for years until last summer, the Biden administration cut a deal to secure their freedom by granting loan access to $6 billion in sanctioned funds used to murder Iranians and to murder Americans, such as the three Army Reservists from Georgia killed on January 28 of this year.

Some might claim that these funds are only for humanitarian goods. First, this naively puts too much trust in a regime skilled at sanctions evasion and other forms of illicit finance. Second, money is fungible, and this deal freed up $6 billion in funds for the regime to finance its military program, terrorist proxies, nuclear activities, and repression.

Right now, Iran is incentivized to keep taking hostages. They keep benefiting.

That is why today we are considering my bipartisan bill to ensure that Iran never again profits from taking American hostages. This bill imposes sanctions on Iranian officials identified as being responsible for or complicit in taking American citizens hostage. It also greatly limits the travel of Iranian diplomats at the U.N. They should not be allowed to come here and gallivant around the New York metropolitan area while innocent Americans languish in Iranian prisons.

It also requires a detailed report to give Congress full visibility on how Iran is using the $6 billion so that the American people's elected Representatives can conduct thorough oversight of these funds.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this important bill to protect Americans from Iran's brutal hostage-taking, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, March 20, 2024.

Hon. Michael McCaul,

Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman McCaul: I write regarding H.R. 5826, the No

Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act. Provisions of this bill fall

within the Judiciary Committee's Rule X jurisdiction, and I

appreciate that you consulted with us on those provisions.

The Judiciary Committee agrees that it shall be discharged

from further consideration of the bill so that it may proceed

expeditiously to the House floor.

The Committee takes this action with the understanding that

forgoing further consideration of this measure does not in

any way alter the Committee's jurisdiction or waive any

future jurisdictional claim over these provisions or their

subject matter. We also reserve the right to seek appointment

of an appropriate number of conferees in the event of a

conference with the Senate involving this measure or similar

legislation.

I ask that you please include this letter in your

committee's report to accompany this legislation or insert

this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration

of H.R. 5826 on the House floor. I appreciate the cooperative

manner in which our committees have worked on this matter,

and I look forward to working collaboratively in the future

on matters of shared jurisdiction. Thank you for your

attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jim Jordan,

Chairman.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I am grateful for the leadership of Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the ranking member, Greg Meeks. Those of us in South Carolina are always happy to point out his South Carolina heritage as he now ably represents Queens, but we remember his heritage of Rock Hill, and we appreciate his success.

This legislation is so important to strike back against Iran's decades-long strategy of taking innocent Americans hostage to the House floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support 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 (H.R. 3033) to repeal the sunset provision of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, 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 include extraneous material on this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, for 27 years, this law, the Iran Sanctions Act, enacted in 1996, has been the foundation of our pressure campaign to compel Iran to abandon its ballistic missile development and support for terrorism.

In the intervening years, these sanctions have been expanded as the threat posed by the Iranian nuclear program and other malign activities become increasingly obvious and pressing. What we saw this weekend is that these sanctions are more necessary than ever.

Iran, for the first time ever, has launched a direct attack on Israel, firing over 300 missiles and drones directly at Israel. Thankfully, 99 percent of these weapons were intercepted by Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Jordan.

Iran has the largest ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East. It is not amassing these weapons for show. It is amassing these weapons to use them, just as they gruesomely did this weekend.

At the same time, Iran is pressing forward with its provocative nuclear program, expanding its stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium and refusing to cooperate in the dispute with the IAEA.

Iranian terrorist puppets are showing the world the destructive capabilities they have gained from years of Iranian support. Hamas launched its October 7 massacre that murdered over 1,200 innocent people in Israel, Hezbollah in Lebanon launched nearly daily attacks on Israel's northern border, and the Houthis in Yemen are lobbing missiles and UAVs at ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Additionally, Iran is selling these dangerous weapons to war criminal Putin to fuel his murderous war against the people of Ukraine.

The threat Iran poses to the United States and our allies is growing more and more entrenched. We need a policy response that is durable and shows that we are committed day in and day out to choking off any financial support to the Iranian malign activities.

Today, that is why the House is considering the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act, which would eliminate the upcoming 2026 sunset from the Iran Sanctions Act. We need to send Iran a clear and simple message: You cannot just wait out the sanctions. The sanctions will not expire on some arbitrary date. The only way to make the U.S. sanctions go away is to stop sanctionable conduct and not be a threat to the United States and our allies, period.

The fact that we are considering this bill under suspension of the rules is hugely important. It shows that eliminating this sunset is not controversial. Republicans and Democrats agree that we need durable, long-term pressure on Iran.

This bill passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously, and I am grateful that it is being considered on the floor today.

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

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, July 17, 2023.

Hon. Michael McCaul,

Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman McCaul: I write regarding H.R. 3033, the

Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023. Provisions of this bill

fall within the Judiciary Committee's Rule X jurisdiction,

and I appreciate that you consulted with us on those

provisions. The Judiciary Committee agrees that it shall be

discharged from further consideration of the bill so that it

may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.

The Committee takes this action with the understanding that

forgoing further consideration of this measure does not in

any way alter the Committee's jurisdiction or waive any

future jurisdictional claim over these provisions or their

subject matter. We also reserve the right to seek appointment

of an appropriate number of conferees in the event

of a conference with the Senate involving this measure or

similar legislation.

I ask that you please include this letter in your

committee's report to accompany this legislation or insert

this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration

of H.R. 3033 on the House floor. I appreciate the cooperative

manner in which our committees have worked on this matter,

and I look forward to working collaboratively in the future

on matters of shared jurisdiction. Thank you for your

attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jim Jordan,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Steel), a member of the Committee on Ways and Means and the author of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Madam Speaker, just 2 days ago, the world was sadly stunned by the Iranian unprecedented attack on the civilian population of Israel. The regime in Tehran is committed to threatening the United States and our ally Israel.

Iran is not going to voluntarily stop sponsoring the puppets that they have of Hezbollah, the Houthis, or Hamas. They are not going to give up their missiles and drones out of the goodness of their hearts. They are most certainly not going to stop their nuclear program. They truly do believe and chant in their parliament, in English: ``Death to Israel. Death to America.''

The Iran threat is wide-ranging and multifaceted, and the Iran Sanctions Act is a foundation of tools to combat it. We know this threat isn't going away anytime soon, so let's stop fooling ourselves that a sunset makes any sense on these provisions.

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to have the bipartisan support with Ranking Member Greg Meeks, working with Chairman Mike McCaul, and that we are here today.

I urge my colleagues to join in bringing our statutes in line with the strategic reality on the ground.

Madam Speaker, additionally, Representative Michelle Steel is to be appreciated. Even before the attacks took place, she brought this issue up to address the murderous conduct of the regime in Tehran.

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

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