Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 288) urging the European Union to expeditiously designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization under Common Position 931, and for other purposes.

Madam 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.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution calling on the European

Union to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from New York (Ms. Tenney) for introducing this very important legislation. Congresswoman Tenney is appreciated for her tireless efforts of promoting peace through strength. From the Middle East to Europe, the IRGC is fielding conflicts in conjunction with proxies, puppets, dictators, and warlords.

In April of 2019, the United States rightfully designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization for its role in these acts of global terror, including the role in assassination attempts on both American and European soil. In the last 5 years, the IRGC's destabilizing influence has only grown, particularly in Europe, as Iran is helping and collaborating to facilitate war criminal Putin's illegal war of aggression against the people of Ukraine.

In Ukraine, we have seen hundreds of Iranian drones used against civilians and civilian infrastructure. War criminal Putin and the regime of Tehran are in alliance with the dictators of rule of gun invading democracies with rule of law.

The restrictions associated with the U.S. foreign terrorist organization designation limit the IRGC's ability to access U.S. markets, but in Europe, without a corresponding European terror designation, the IRGC can still find ample financing.

This is deeply troubling given the IRGC's extensive history of sanctions evasion, including in EU member states, and increasing cooperation with war criminal Putin to evade Western financial restrictions.

The European Commission has historically claimed it lacks sufficient evidence for such a designation. As the co-chair and founder of the EU Caucus, I especially expect the European Union to designate the IRGC a terrorist organization. To fail is, sadly, ridiculous.

The IRGC's role of fueling terrorism is undeniable. The European Parliament clearly agrees. In January 2023, the European Parliament ratified a resolution calling for the IRGC to be designated, pointing out that it, ``both directly and by acting through local proxies, has assassinated diaspora dissidents, kidnapped exiles for abduction to Iran, and plotted bomb attacks in several countries, including the EU member states.''

It is long past time for the European Union to join the United States in properly designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney), a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the author of this resolution.

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

Madam Speaker, we must continue to do all we can to address the threat

posed by Iran. The IRGC has for decades played a direct role in threatening the European Union and its citizens.

Given its increasing reach, most recently with its murderous support of war criminal Putin's invasion of Ukraine, it is imperative that no stone is left unturned. We must work together to cut off Iran's ability to fuel terrorism on a global scale, and that must include designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

Madam Speaker, I thank, in particular, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney for developing this resolution and her extraordinary efforts in a bipartisan manner to do research on the IRGC that should be very informative to the American people and be a message to even the people of Iran how the oppression of the people of Iran actually has consequences, sadly, around the world. Congresswoman Tenney effectively promotes the safety and security of American and European families.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution calling on the European Union to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 883) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the slogan, ``from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'' is antisemitic and its use must be condemned.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I thank our colleague from New York (Mr. D'Esposito) for introducing this important bipartisan resolution to condemn anti- Semitic speech.

Hamas' horrific and murderous attack on Israel on October 7 massacred over 1,200 innocent people. Hamas terrorists committed brutal sexual assaults. They took over 250 people hostage and held them in wretched conditions.

October 7 was the deadliest day for people of Jewish faith since the Holocaust.

Since that awful day 6 months ago, we have seen a shocking rise in anti-Semitic attacks, symbolism, and speech, including a resurgence of the slogan ``from the river to the sea.''

This phrase, ``from the river to the sea,'' comes directly from the terrorist organization's covenant. Hamas is clear about their ultimate goal: the destruction of the State of Israel and the death of Jews around the world.

Article 7 of the August 18, 1988, Hamas Covenant calls for chasing every Jew behind trees and rocks until the last Jew is found behind a rock and is killed.

We must be clear. This rallying cry, and others like it, have no place in a peaceful and tolerant society. ``From the river to the sea'' refers to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. This language calls for entirely destroying the State of Israel and replacing it with the Palestinian state.

Slogans like this are clearly anti-Semitic and hateful. They inherently support the destruction of Israel and denying Jews their right of self-determination of any kind.

Promoting violence against Israel and Jews is anti-Semitism, and we have the responsibility in Congress to condemn such language.

With this resolution, we are condemning this hate speech and standing with our valued ally, Israel. We understand the chant of Tehran gruesomely in English, ``Death to Israel, death to America.''

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. D'Esposito), chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology and the author of this resolution.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, we must do everything in our power to condemn anti- Semitic speech and actions at home and around the world.

It is so sad that since October 7 instead of rallying around our Jewish friends, we have seen a disgusting rise in anti-Semitic attacks. We cannot allow hate speech to be normalized as so well and eloquently stated by Ranking Member Greg Meeks.

This resolution, so thoughtfully and capably introduced by Congressman Anthony D'Esposito, makes clear that this language is not normal. Calling for the destruction of the people of Israel is not normal. It is not acceptable, and today this House will reject this language.

I am grateful for the leadership that we see today of Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul and Ranking Member Greg Meeks. We have clear bipartisanship, working together for the safety of American families.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, in a dangerous event yesterday in Michigan, anti-Israel activists shouted, ``death to America'' and ``death to Israel,'' repeating the Iranian regime chants.

This event was in recognition of Al-Quds Day to advocate for the mass murder of the people of Israel. It reinforced that, 6 months ago, Iranian puppet Hamas invaded Israel, murdering over 1,200 Israeli civilians.

Incredibly, in America, a rally speaker hatefully spouted: ``So when these fools ask us if Israel has the right to exist . . . the chant `death to Israel' has become the most logical chant.'' . . .

When attacks come to America to disrupt elections, voting on election day must be in person, while including military ballots that are mailed in.

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 laws for the border. We need to enforce the existing laws. Biden shamefully has opened the borders for dictators as more 9/11 attacks across America are imminent, as warned by the FBI.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all South Carolinians, I am grateful to wish Mrs. Clara Singleton Williams a happy 100th birthday.

Clara Williams, a native of South Carolina, was born on April 9, 1924, to parents Isaiah Singleton and Annie Livingston Singleton. She attended schools in Fairfield, Aiken, and Orangeburg County, where she graduated from Wilkerson High School. After, she furthered her education at Claflin University for two years.

In 1946, Clara married Blanton Everett Williams, and together they had eleven children, twenty-nine grandchildren, forty-five great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. They purchased land and a home in Salley, South Carolina, where to this day Clara enjoys watching her vegetables and flowers grow. Blanton and Clara were happily married for sixty-one years until his death in 2007.

Clara lives each day to the fullest with warm-hearted memories. Over the years, she has embraced diverse pursuits, including

cooking, canning, farming, quilting, and caring for babies, all while dedicatedly managing her household and working for Aiken County Public Schools. Her spirit of generosity shines through in her unwavering commitment to caring for others. Whether tending to her own children and many grandchildren or extending her kindness to members of her community, Clara's compassion knows no bounds.

As a devout Christian, Clara acknowledged her faith at an early age and was baptized at Good Hope Baptist Church in Ridgeway, South Carolina. She later became a member of Samaria Baptist Church in Springfield, South Carolina, where she still faithfully attends. Her love for both her church and her family is palpable, evident in her years of dedicated service to both.

At the age of 100, Clara has witnessed many significant landmarks of American history: the Great Depression, World War II, Briggs v. Elliott, Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Cold War, 9/11, and the first African American President of the United States.

Today, I honor Mrs. Clara Singleton Williams and wish her a happy 100th birthday. I am pleased to join her family and friends in congratulating her on this remarkable milestone.

Mr. Speaker, incredibly, March 22 The Washington Times lead front-page article by Ben Wolfgang was a remarkable journalistic achievement. It correctly warned of the ISIS-K terrorist attack on Russia, which gruesomely was correct that night with the murderous attack on the Moscow Crocus City Hall, killing over 140 innocent civilians.

At a time of fake news and blatantly biased reporting by mainstream media, it is refreshing to know The Washington Times courageously stands for truth.

The Washington Times President Christopher Dolan has launched the Threat Status newsletter with national security editor Guy Taylor to provide daily email updates.

The March 22 article specifically cited an imminent terrorist attack in Russia, which war criminal Putin that day should have tried to prevent instead of his obsession with mass murder of Ukrainians.

With Biden open borders and the warnings by the FBI, American families are sadly at a greater risk of attack today than ever. In the event of attacks to disrupt elections, all voting should be election day in person while accepting military absentee ballots.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Coach Dawn Staley and the USC Gamecocks.

Mr. Speaker, on his first day in office, Biden launched a war on American fossil fuels when he killed the Keystone XL pipeline, destroying jobs and forcing dependency on Chinese batteries.

Gas prices have doubled since Biden began his war, creating the highest level of inflation in 40 years, with high energy costs accelerating the delivery prices of all products.

Biden is dictating regulations which are overly expensive. With conflicts of interest, Biden is forcing dependency on Chinese batteries, destroying American jobs.

Yesterday, Republicans continued to counter the energy war by passing two

bills for energy independence and to end the Biden push for Chinese batteries.

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.

Our prayers for the family of the late Richard Quinn.

Mr. Speaker, the House Republican majority is delivering on behalf of American families. We are fighting to tackle inflation, create jobs, defend national security, make America energy independent again, secure the southern border, preserve our constitutional freedoms, restore the voice of people, and more.

Highlights of Republican accomplishments include passing: the Secure the Border Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Lower Energy Costs Act, the Parents Bill of Rights, the condemn war criminal Putin kidnapping act, the Protection of Women in Sports, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, and the Born Alive Act.

House Republicans will continue with the leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson to reduce inflation, create jobs, and keep American families safe.

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.

Mr. Speaker, with Bidenomics of borrow, tax, and spend, American families have endured the highest inflation in 40 years, costing the average family $12,000 more annually to buy basics, including housing.

Stephen Moore of the Heritage Foundation has revealed ``housing affordability has hit a 40-year low under Mr. Biden after affordability surged under Mr. Trump.''

The average monthly payment has risen from $1,500 a month to $2,600 today.

``What Mr. Biden fails to understand is that two factors drive homeownership: the interest rate and real income growth.''

House Republicans will continue to fight to reduce inflation and create jobs led by Speaker Mike Johnson.

As a former real estate attorney myself, I especially appreciate the achievements of the real estate industry as it is the basis of good schools and safe communities.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues moving from Afghanistan safe havens to America.

We do not need new border laws. We need to enforce existing laws. Biden safely opened borders for dictators as more 9/11 attacks across America as imminent as warned by the FBI.

Our prayers today are for the family of Dan Kildee.

Mr. Speaker, I was otherwise detained in a meeting at the Senate off the floor yesterday. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 79 (H.R. 1752), and YEA on Roll Call No. 80 (H.R. 886).

Mr. Speaker, the Biden vitriolic State of the Union speech failed to recognize the 13 servicemembers murdered at Abbey Gate with his decision to surrender in Afghanistan.

Biden did not initially, in his ranting and raving, acknowledge his decision of open borders for murderers, which directly led to the bludgeoning murder of Laken Riley.

Sadly, Biden ignored the killing 6 weeks ago of Georgia Army Reservists Kennedy Sanders, William Rivers, and Breonna Moffett, with 40 more Americans wounded by puppets of Iran, due to his decision to not effectively respond to over 150 prior attacks by Iran on Americans.

As a reservist myself with four sons who have served overseas, I am particularly disappointed. We need Donald Trump for peace through strength.

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 the FBI again warned yesterday.

Mr. Speaker, the insulting campaign speech last night of President Biden was correctly identified today as vitriolic by Gary David and Christopher Thompson of WVOC Radio in Columbia.

President Trump is correct; the Biden false accusations are Trump derangement dividing the American people. Also, Senator Katie Britt is correct: ``Families are hurting.''

At our southern border, we see it. President Biden inherited the most secure border of all times, but minutes after taking office, he suspended deportations, halted the border wall, and announced a plan to give amnesty. We know that President Biden's border crisis was invited, with 94 executive decisions in his first 100 days. Every family is at risk of attack, as we see with the murder of Laken Riley.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who have successfully protected America for 20 years in the global war on terrorism, as it continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America. We don't need new 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.

Mr. Speaker, on March 3, the Republic of Bulgaria celebrated National Day. Yesterday, with Co-Chairman Brad Schneider, the Bulgarian Caucus hosted a reception recognizing 120 years of diplomatic relations with America. We appreciate Bulgarian Ambassador Georgi Panayotov.

On June 10, 1990, I observed, with the International Republican Institute, the first post-communist Bulgarian election. I was hosted by Professor Stefan Stoyanov, who was elected to the National Assembly and later reinstated Rotary Clubs across Bulgaria.

This is the 20th anniversary of Bulgarian admission to NATO. Now, Bulgaria has equaled American per capita aid to Ukraine in the war of dictators with rule of gun invading democracies with rule of law.

We welcome Sweden to NATO today, reinforcing peace through strength.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues, moving 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.

During the State of the Union speech tomorrow, Biden will blame others for the border crisis, which Biden alone created.

Since Biden has taken office, nearly 10 million illegal aliens have crossed the border, including over 20,000 military-aged men from dictatorships in just the last 5 months.

Yesterday, Elon Musk shocked America by exposing Biden secretly flew 320,000 unvetted aliens into the U.S. Musk warned: ``The groundwork is being laid for something far worse than 9/11.''

He also said: ``This administration is both importing voters and creating a national security threat. . . .

``This is why groups . . . fight . . . to stop voter ID requirements. . . .''

When America is attacked, voter ID should be mandatory for fair elections. The safety of American families is endangered by Biden's quest for more voters.

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 existing laws. Biden shamefully opens borders for dictators, as more 9/11 attacks in America are imminent, as warned by the FBI.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor the life of Mr. Ellison Capers ``E.C.'' Grayson, Jr. and offer my sympathy to his family. E.C. Grayson, born in 1928 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, was known for his vibrant personality, dedication to family and friends, and lifelong commitment to civil service. From his early achievements as an Eagle Scout, student leader, and athlete, to his distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, serving during the Korean war and as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Reagan, and later as a successful CEO and leader, E.C. left a lasting impact on all who knew him, celebrated in a Memorial Mass on March 1, 2024, in Tiburon, California. We deeply appreciate his exemplary service and personal courage, which epitomized the highest traditions of Navy service. I include in the Record the following obituary for E.C. Grayson, Jr.:

Ellison Capers ``E.C.'' Grayson, passed away peacefully and

faithfully on January 13, 2024, in La Quinta, Calif.

E.C. was born in Saint Paul, Minn., on September 7, 1928,

son of Ellison Capers Grayson, Sr. and Inez Santos Grayson;

and brother of Richard A. Grayson, Esq. E.C. will always be

remembered for his big smile, boundless energy, eternal

optimism, devotion to duty, honor, country, and his deep love

of family and friends. E.C. loved the magic of relationships,

knew everyone, and delighted in connecting them.

E.C. was raised in St. Paul, Minn., and was a student

leader and athlete. He was an Eagle Scout, President of

Central High School, a lifeguard, and a varsity football

player. At the University of Minnesota, E.C. was President of

Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Inter-Fraternity Council. He

loved his summers on the Isle of Palms, S.C., where his

family had a long history. E.C. was an athlete his entire

life, still swimming at 95. He loved tennis, downhill skiing,

running, rowing on the Bay and playing water polo on the

Olympic Club team. As a member of the Saint Francis and

Corinthian Yacht Clubs, he loved racing around the Bay on

``The Darby'' to the delight of his granddaughters and their

friends.

After graduation, E.C. joined the U.S. Navy as an officer

during the Korean war. From his ship, he witnessed a nuclear

detonation test off the Bikini Atoll. His active duty took

him across the Pacific and ultimately, to San Francisco,

where he met the love of his life, Jean Amy Mason. She was a

flight attendant for United Airlines and for President Dwight

Eisenhower during his presidential campaign. E.C. and Jean

were engaged in Honolulu and married on Treasure Island Naval

Base on December 26, 1953. They spent their honeymoon driving

through Europe for three months and returned home to San

Francisco aboard the QE II.

Thereafter, E.C. had a successful career as an insurance

industry CEO. He was very active in civic affairs, including

as President of St. Mary's Hospital and The Navy League, a

Regent at Saint Ignatius College Prep, Commanding Officer of

a Naval Intelligence Reserve unit and an advisor to Mayors

George Moscone and Dianne Feinstein and Governor Pete Wilson.

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed E.C. as the

Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He received numerous awards,

including the Navy's Distinguished Civilian Service medal.

After serving in the Pentagon, E.C. returned to San Francisco

and joined Spencer Stuart, becoming one of the country's top

``headhunters'' of Fortune 500 CEO's, CFO's, and board

members, In later years, E.C. joined the Grayson Group as

senior advisor and loving mentor to its founder, Laurie

Grayson.

E.C. especially loved The Bohemian Club and Grove. He was a

true Bohemian in spirit and deed. He also greatly enjoyed The

Alfalfa Club, The Knights of Malta, The Metropolitan Club of

Washington, D.C., and serving on The Guardsmen board. He was

a member of The Springs Country Club in Rancho Mirage and a

devout parishioner of St. Hilary Church in Tiburon.

E.C. is survived by his wife of seventy years, Jean Mason

Grayson; his children, Darby Grayson Sutherland (Bruce) and

William Ellison ``Bill'' Grayson (Laurie); his four

granddaughters, Katherine (Washington, D.C.), Elizabeth and

Caroline Grayson (Manhattan), and Lauren Gordon (Austin,

Texas). He is also survived by Shadow, his beloved standard

poodle. E.C.'s zest for life, service to his country,

devotion to his family and love of his friends will continue

to live on in all of us.

The Memorial Mass was on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 1:30

p.m., at St. Hilary Church in Tiburon, Calif.

During the State of the Union speech on Thursday, Biden will falsely claim that his policies are working, but in reality, Bidenomics is a failure.

When Biden took office, inflation was 1.4 percent. Since then, inflation has risen by nearly 18 percent.

Inflation is a tax on all families paying more for goods and services since Biden took office, including: electricity up 29 percent; food up 21 percent; auto insurance up 21 percent--just to name a few basic examples.

Americans for Prosperity reveals the truth at Bidenomics.com.

House Republicans led by Speaker Mike Johnson will continue fighting 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 existing laws. Biden shamefully opens borders for dictators as more 9/11 attacks across America are imminent, as warned by the FBI.