Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, enemies of civilization are gruesomely bold and clear on their murderous intentions. A heinously revealing declaration of their barbaric intentions by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is detailed in the Hamas Covenant of August 18, 1988.

In the midst of insane provisions is Article 7: ``The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and kill them. Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will cry out: `O Moslem, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him.''

The goal of Hamas, financed by Iran, is murder of Jews worldwide. It is fake news they care about the Palestinian people. This is not about territory. Suffering by the Hamas-oppressed people of Gaza is solely Hamas-dictated, and a two-state solution without non-terrorist domination is not possible.

Hamas and also Hezbollah is Iran in a war we did not choose between Dictators With Rule of Gun attacking Democracies With Rule of Law. Active war began with war criminal Putin's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and led to the Hamas invasion of Israel on Putin's birthday, October 7th.

Bold and clear are the dictators with Putin's treatise of July 2021 that Ukraine does not exist. The Chinese Communist Party threatens Taiwan does not exist, and Iran chants in English, ``Death to Israel, Death to America.''

Democracies will prevail building Peace Through Strength.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, the murderous invasion of Israel by Iran proxies is the latest step of the war we did not choose between Dictators with Rule of Gun opposing Democracies with Rule of Law. The dictators are murderously united, and it is encouraging to see democracies stand with Ukraine and now Israel, as I personally saw this weekend attending the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen.

Conflict began with war criminal Putin murderously invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and now Iran proxy Hamas is heinous in its October 7th mass murder of Israelis and other nationalities being American, Thai, German, and French, as the Chinese Communist Party awaits its time threatening the 24 million people of Taiwan.

Iran is actually attacking Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Iran's proxies are murdering today to stop Saudi Arabia from extending the Abraham Accords which have been so successful for prosperity with Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, and Morocco. The regime in Tehran is sabotaging the billion-dollar efforts by Qatar for a functioning civil society in the Gaza Strip. Tehran's aggression is a direct threat from the Middle East to India with disruption of supply lines causing chaos.

Last month I was grateful to visit with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to see their world-class developments in tourism and golf which Iran seeks to destroy, putting all tourists at risk of kidnapping.

The mass murdering terrorists of Iran must be stopped, as should war criminal Putin who have declared their insidious goals of Death to Israel, Death to America, and the re-creation of the Evil Soviet Empire. Every effort by democracies must be made for the courageous Ukrainians and Israelis to win territorial integrity.

Peace through strength must be established as Putin threatens the existence of Moldova, Georgia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia today with more murderous invasions later. Iran must be stopped from death to Israel and America as the Chinese Communist Party is to be deterred from mass murder. The proven Reagan success is Peace Through Strength.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, this past weekend, I was grateful to participate with the U.S. Delegation for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, led by Delegation Chairman Mike Turner and Assembly former President Gerry Connolly.

On Friday, the focus was on war criminal Putin's murderous invasion of Ukraine. NATO and the European Union have surpassed America with aid for Ukraine and incredibly Finland is now a NATO member with an 830- mile border with Russia, as Sweden gives up 200 years of neutrality to stop dictators. The West is united as never before in history to protect democracies.

On Saturday, with the sadistic invasion of Israel, there was extraordinary unanimity supporting Israel's territorial integrity. Clearly the axis of dictatorships of Putin, the regime in Tehran, and the Chinese Communist Party, had collaborated again with the invasion from Gaza. Sadly, the war we did not choose, Dictatorship with Rule of Gun against Democracies with Rule of Law, is proceeding and must be faced with Peace Through Strength.

On Sunday, Resolutions were presented from the five standing committees with amendments to be considered with debate. Parliamentarian Michal Szczerba of Poland presented Towards Reconstruction of Ukraine emphasizing payment by seized Russia assets, while Parliamentarian Njall Fridbertsson of Iceland explained Enhancement of Protection of allied critical maritime infrastructure.

Senator Rodrigue Demeuse of Belgium proposed the resolution on Protecting Allied Democracies from Disinformation with provisions for addressing war crimes. Assemblyman Utku Cakirozer of Turkiye explained implementing NATO's new Deterrence and Defense Baseline. It is crucial we continue to stand with Turkiye as it is attacked by terrorists, just as we defeat the barbarian terrorists of Gaza. MP Alec Shelbrooke of Britain presented a Resolution Strengthening Stability and Security to the Black Sea Region following Russia's invasion, emphasizing grain deliveries for Egypt and African countries which are being destroyed by war criminal Putin.

On Monday, unanimously provided statements were issued supporting Israel as Iran's chants of Death to Israel, Death to America unfolded. Resolutions previously presented unanimously of 27 countries present were inspiring for the courageous citizens of Ukraine and Israel. There was unprecedented solidarity for freedom, democracy, and rule of law.

Stirring addresses were made of determined support for Ukraine and Israel for territorial integrity by NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Michal Szczerba, Danish Parliamentary Speaker Soren Gade compared the Hamas attack to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed concern that many are naive as to Russia and China, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Israel's resolve and thanked all for help to Ukraine, Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoana cited Europeans killed by Iran proxy Hamas in Israel, with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Philippe Lavigne emphasizing importance of all countries to reach two percent for defense to achieve Peace Through Peace.

The sessions concluded with presenting the 2023 `Women for Peace and Security' award to Leader of Democratic Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who courageously works for a democratic Belarus and political prisoner release including her husband.

Madam Speaker, America is sadly in a conflict of dictators with rule of gun opposing democracies with rule of law.

This conflict, we did not choose, was begun by war criminal Putin on February 24, 2022, invading Ukraine, in the murderous tradition of Hitler invading Poland on September 1, 1939, and Stalin invading Poland 2 weeks later on September 17. In 5 weeks, over 70,000 Poles were killed in 1939 by the Nazis and Communists, and now thousands of Ukrainians have been killed by Putin.

I am grateful to have read the book by Senator Barry Goldwater in May 1963, ``Why Not Victory?'', proposing the ultimate achievement of democracy over Communism.

The Goldwater Presidential campaign led to the hallmark speech, ``A Time for Choosing,'' by Ronald Reagan in 1964. This led to the Reagan Presidency and hundreds of millions of people being liberated from totalitarian communism. More countries today live in freedom and democracy than in the history of the world due to American military strength defeating Communism.

The Russian Embassy in Berlin, Germany, which I visited outside on May 1 this year, clearly reveals Putin's murderous goal of recreating the evil Soviet empire. The hammer and sickle communist symbol is maintained over the massive building, revealing that the Russian people are still being oppressed by a despotic dictator.

With the invasion of Ukraine, Putin now has troops in Moldova and Georgia with direct threats to Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and even Poland to realign international boundaries. The murderous conquest of Ukraine would be a green light for more conquests putting American families at risk of attack.

It is reassuring that NATO has never been stronger with Finland and Sweden joining the alliance. Finland has an 830-mile border with Russia, and Sweden has given up 200 years of neutrality to stop dictators.

The European Union has doubled the aid correctly provided by America, according to analyst Luke Coffey of the Hudson Institute. Additionally, more than 160 officials across Federal oversight agencies monitor the U.S. aid to Ukraine.

Democracies must continue to stand together to support the brave Ukrainians to restore peace through strength. Goldwater was correct in his book, ``The only alternative to victory is--obviously defeat.'' Putin can end this war today by living up to the agreements that Russia has already signed for Ukrainian territorial integrity.

The Chinese Communist Party is watching as it plans world domination by 2049, with the largest peacetime military build-up in world history. The regime in Tehran continues its chants of death to Israel, death to America with drones to Putin to murder Ukrainians.

The axis of evil is clear: you have dictator Putin, dictator Xi, dictator Raisi. They must be stopped now, or every American family will be threatened by murderers, which I have seen when I saw the murders that were conducted in Bucha, Ukraine, where innocent civilians, with their hands tied behind their backs, were brutally executed and buried by the Putin troops.

As a teenage Republican supporter myself of Barry Goldwater, who attended the National Draft Goldwater Rally in Washington on July 4, 1963, I will always be grateful for his vision for freedom.

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 with Biden open borders. Border security is national security for America.

Madam Speaker, yesterday, Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, revealed that Biden was accelerating poverty.

The recent Census Bureau report on income and poverty in 2022 was god-awful. The supplemental poverty rate rose in 1 year by nearly a record amount. The child poverty rate doubled. Almost every income group--old people, young people, males, females, and residents of our region of the country--lost ground.

Meanwhile, median income fell by 2.2 percent. The average family is roughly $2,000 poorer than when Biden entered office, following more than a $6,000 raise in the middle-class incomes under Trump.

Instead of the JFK aspiration of the rising tide lifting all boats, we now have a falling tide that is capsizing all boats. Biden's failures are a useful reminder that putting equity over prosperity leads inevitably to equal misery.

I am very grateful for the leadership of Speaker Kevin McCarthy promoting border security as national security.

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 with Biden open borders.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, tragically, beloved South Carolinian, Stanley L. Myers, passed away last Wednesday. As a founding partner of what is now Moore Bradley Myers, I especially appreciated his service and his remarkable life. I also want to express sympathy to his family and his senior law partner, Jake Moore, who correctly recognized him as a son.

His obituary: Moore Bradley Myers partner, Stanley Myers, died at age 47. MBM managing partner Christian Spradley asked that the community members turn their attention to praying for Stanley's wife, Tashia, and their two young children.

As a Citadel alumnus and 4-year starting quarterback for the Bulldogs, Myers was elected to the Citadel Board of Visitors. He also served on the Lexington Medical Center Board of Directors and founded the Swansea Mentoring Program.

Every Christmas, Stanley proudly hosted the town of Swansea's Bike Bonanza. Myers opened Countryside BBQ restaurant in Swansea in 2022. His service and spirit of giving back to the community was unparalleled.

As an attorney, Myers was selected as a 2023 Leadership in Law honoree by the South Carolina Lawyers Weekly. Myers deployed as a captain with the 218th Infantry Brigade to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was a lieutenant colonel who served as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 59th Troop Command at McEntire Joint National Guard Base.

Stanley Myers passed away unexpectedly on September 27, 2023.

May God bless his memory.

Mr. Speaker, America is grateful for the leadership of Chairman Mike Rogers of Alabama for his vision and persistence to support the creation of U.S. Space Command along with President Donald Trump. This recognizes the threats of dictators, war criminal Putin and the CCP who have developed capabilities in space to threaten American families--we can achieve peace through strength.

It is sad when political interference controls basing, not first the priority of national security.

In South Carolina, we experienced this as the Charleston Naval Base was re-located to New Hampshire. The obvious advantages of Charleston with a temperate climate of unlimited operations was ignored as the then Senate Majority Leader was from Maine with his constituents commuting to New Hampshire.

Congressman Austin Scott is correct. Now Politics determines where the missions go. This is a dangerous game, with national security to suffer.

Mr. Chairman, as we are here today, we appreciate so much the leadership of Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart. He was so correct earlier to identify the appeasement of Afghanistan has endangered all American families in the continuing global war on terrorism, with Afghanistan sadly now becoming a safe haven for terrorists.

As the chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I strongly support the continuation of its very meaningful work. For nearly 50 years, the U.S. Helsinki Commission, uniquely made up of Senators and Members of Congress, with rotating chairmanship of House and Senate Members, has worked to promote American values in Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Its small, professional staff support bicameral, bipartisan commissioners to advance American national security and national interests in human rights, military security, and economic cooperation in 57 countries. It is the fulfillment of the dream of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan of ``Why Not Victory?''.

The Commission has worked with fellow legislative members from each country to ensure respect for freedom of religion, to defend those persecuted from criticizing dictatorships to fight against corruption and to prevent human trafficking. It is a vital forum in the ongoing worldwide conflict between dictators with rule of gun who are opposing democracies with rule of law. We must stand and meet the challenge of power coming from the barrel of a gun.

Commissioners have worked with countries to update their religious laws to allow smaller Christian and other groups to practice freely. Commissioners have put together numerous legislative proposals to counter corruption, including by highlighting the priority of anticorruption in U.S. foreign policy, providing further authorities to end the impunity enjoyed by kleptocrats and preventing them from entering the United States, and highlighting the work of U.S. law enforcement to recover stolen money hidden in America.

Commissioners have authored much of the antihuman trafficking legislation here with the leadership of Chairman Chris Smith and set standards for preventing human trafficking internationally. Most recently, the Commission has focused on supporting Ukrainian children who have been forcibly relocated by kidnapping or who have experienced extreme trauma due to war.

With only a small staff, the Commission has had a large impact. It is crucial that this important work continues and the Commission be funded for its future.

Mr. Chairman, sadly, the world is in a conflict we did not choose between dictators with rule of gun opposing democracies with rule of law.

War criminal Putin began the current murderous conflict invading Ukraine, shocked to find that the Ukrainians courageously resisted. The brave Ukrainian people are an inspiration to the world, as they know Putin falsely claims Ukraine does not exist as Putin is trying to reassemble the evil empire of the Soviet Union.

Fellow dictators clearly see the conflict as dictator or democracy, as North Korean Kim Jong-Un joins Putin. The Chinese Communist Party is conducting the largest peacetime military buildup in world history. The regime in Tehran builds drones for Putin to murder Ukrainian civilians as they plan death to America, death to Israel.

We must stop the dictators today or they will be a direct threat to American families tomorrow. We must always remember, of all things, Pearl Harbor. We must remember 9/11. For these reasons, I oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, as a 31-year Army veteran myself, and the grateful father of four sons who have served overseas, I want America to maintain peace through strength.

As a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, I know firsthand we have the capability of drawdown not reducing our capabilities.

When concerns were expressed over providing 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine would reduce our defense, I quickly researched and found that we have 8,000 tanks available, and actually, the 31 were in excess.

I support the proven Republican policies of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan of: Why not victory over dictators?

Peace through strength with American leadership has led to the largest number of nations living in democracy in world history as fascism was defeated and communism crushed.

Ukraine should receive the weapons it needs to achieve victory of restoring Ukrainian territorial integrity.

The alliance of war criminal Putin, the Chinese Communist Party, and the Tehran regime must be stopped before they achieve death to Israel, death to America.

I urge as quickly as possible that we provide the equipment that can bring peace to the region by bringing equipment to the people of Ukraine, who are so bravely fighting back against the war criminal Putin. Therefore, I oppose this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the supplemental appropriations act.

This month, Luke Coffey of the Hudson Institute addressed ``The Top Myths about U.S. Aid to Ukraine,'' revealing: ``Every dollar spent in support of Ukraine is authorized by Congress and used for a specific purpose.''

``As of September 2023, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with $101 billion, or 0.43 percent of America's GDP.''

``The vast majority of this money never leaves the U.S. and instead supports American jobs.''

``There has likely never been more accountability in place for U.S. foreign assistance . . . '' with the U.S. `` . . . Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group. More than 160 officials across 20 Federal oversight agencies monitor U.S. aid to Ukraine.''

``According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy's Ukraine aid tracker, total European commitments are now more than double those of the U.S.''

``Russia is China's junior partner. A defeated Russia means a weaker China.''

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, ``The security of the Indo-Pacific region cannot be separated from European security.''

War criminal Putin started this conflict of dictators with rule of gun, opposing democracies with rule of law, declaring their goal of death to Israel, death to America.

We should support the supplemental for peace through strength in the spirit of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan: Why not victory?

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 151st Anniversary of Greater Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in West Columbia, South Carolina.

I am grateful for the strong leadership at Greater Saint Paul AME Church, including Reverend Dr. Tobie H. Pollock, Reverend Rosalyn G. Coleman, Mrs. Phyllis N. Green, and Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr. I appreciate their dedication to spreading the word of God in our community, making an impact in the lives of so many people.

Established in 1816, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church holds the distinction of the inaugural African American denomination organized in the United States. The church played a significant role in the African American community, championing civil rights and evangelizing. Over 200 years later, the AME Church continues to serve many people throughout our communities.

Greater Saint Paul will be celebrating their anniversary on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to have spoken with Sheikh al-Aql Hikmat Alhajiri, one of the three senior most Druze religious leaders in Syria, to discuss his impactful work at the forefront of the mass mobilization of Druze against the Assad regime.

The Druze is a religious sect that grew out of Islam a thousand years ago, with a population of 1.5 million, living mostly in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. Due to the courageous leadership of Sheikh Alhajiri, thousands of Druze residing in the southeast province of Swaida, adjacent to Jordan and Israel, have rallied together demanding the downfall of the current regime. Unfortunately, last week marked a tragic turn of events, following weeks of extensive protests, as the regime fired at Druze demonstrators, further adding to the grim toll of over half a million Syrians who have been killed by the criminal Assad regime.

As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, I am proud to have led H.R. 3202, the Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act, which places responsibility on the Bashar al-Assad regime, supported by war criminal Putin and the terrorist Mullahs in Tehran, for its crimes against the Syrian people and highlights the significant consequences of governments considering normalization with the Assad regime. This bill successfully passed the committee, reinforcing the bipartisan commitment to punish offenders, while enhancing protection for humanitarian organizations serving the Syrian people.

I am grateful for the great leadership and strength of Sheikh Alhajiri and the Druze, and look forward to continuing to work together in the fight for a free and democratic Syria.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, 8 months into the newly elected House Republican majority, led by our Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, we are delivering on the Commitment to America.

On behalf of American families, we are fighting to tackle inflation and lower the cost of living, defending national security, making America energy independent, securing the southern border, preserving constitutional freedoms, promoting fiscal responsibility, and much more.

Highlights of the accomplishments so far include defunding the Biden army of 87,000 IRS agents, eliminating the military vaccine mandate, establishing the bipartisan committee to strengthen America against the threats of the Chinese Communist Party, passing the Secure the Border Act to address the chaos at the border, passing the largest deficit reduction package in American history, passing the Parents' Bill of Rights, passing the Lower Energy Costs Act.

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 with Biden open borders.

Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate 120 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Bulgaria.

I will always cherish serving as an International Republican Institute election observer welcomed to Sofia by Professor Stefan Stoyanov for the first post-communist election on June 10, 1990. Arriving in communist Bulgaria was shocking to step back into the 1930s of pathetic economic development and now it is energizing to visit modern Bulgaria with opportunities for all succeed.

Today, the U.S. Department of State issued the following statement:

``On September 19, 1903, John B. Jackson, Minister to

Greece, Romania, and Serbia, presented his credentials to

serve as the first U.S. Diplomatic Agent to Bulgaria--six

years prior to Bulgaria's proclamation of full independence

from the Ottoman Empire. Today, we celebrate the one hundred

and twentieth anniversary of that act and the establishment

of diplomatic relations between our two great nations. Our

relationship as bilateral partners, and our friendship as

members of the transatlantic family of nations, has never

been stronger.

``The United States and Bulgaria work closely together on a

multitude of issues. Our shared commitment to provide

military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the face

of Russia's brutal war of aggression remains firm. We

continue to deepen our collaboration on vital regional and

global security issues as NATO Allies, working side by side

in the NATO battlegroup hosted by Bulgaria and training

together on a regular basis. Our nations are expanding

cooperation on economic and energy issues to increase

prosperity . . . and reduce Bulgaria's reliance on Russian

energy sources. Together, we are working to strengthen the

rule of law and to boost democratic resilience against state-

sponsored disinformation and malign influence. We also

partner to promote innovation and economic opportunity

through academic and professional exchanges and robust

commercial relationships.

``People-to-people ties have been the bedrock of our a

Bulgarian-American, began serving as the first U.S. Consular

Agent in Bulgaria in 1912. Today, there are nearly 250,000

Bulgarians living in the United States, and nearly 90,000

Americans living in or traveling to Bulgaria every year. The

warm relationship between our nations, based on shared

transatlantic values, relationship since even before Asen

Kermekchiev common interests, and family and cultural ties,

continues to grow. We look forward to another one hundred and

twenty years of friendship.''

Bulgaria is a valued ally in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism and now, sadly with the murderous invasion by war criminal Putin of Ukraine, Bulgaria is a stalwart for Democracies Rule of Law opposing Dictators with Rule of Gun.

There is a bipartisan appreciation of Bulgaria where I am grateful to co-chair the Congressional Bulgaria Caucus with Representatives Brad Schneider (IL), Richard Neal (MA), and Neal Dunn (FL). Bulgaria has been professionally represented by talented ambassadors such as Elena Poptodorova, Tihomir Stoytchev, and now Georgi Panayotov.

America wants the best for Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov and President Rumen Radev for the citizens of Bulgaria.