Chairman McCaul Praises Committee Passage of Multiple Foreign Affairs Bills
Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul applauds the passage of significant legislation on measures addressing various issues, such as ending U.S. funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), designating the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), bolstering American engagement in the Pacific, and condemning human rights abuses and arbitrary detentions around the world.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul also welcomed the timely passage of Representative Moran’s H.R. 6603, the No Technology for Terror Act, to further restrict the export or re-export of U.S.-origin goods and technology to Iran, including those used to manufacture the same missiles and drones attacking our forces across the region.
“The fact that our forces are still coming under fire, even as recently as yesterday, shows the [Biden] administration’s response has not been sufficient to restore deterrence. We must project strength on the world stage and embrace the Reagan doctrine of peace through strength. Iran’s longstanding financial and military support to its proxies must not be tolerated, and that starts with supplying robust export controls to limit the transfer of U.S. goods and technologies to Iran,” said Chairman McCaul.
Chairman McCaul spoke on H.Res. 965, which calls for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen, and other Americans who are wrongfully detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
“I want to assure Ryan’s friends and family who are watching this that we will continue to fight every day until we bring him home,” stated Chairman McCaul. “This will send a strong message to the Taliban that America, both Republicans and Democrats alike, will not tolerate [the] illegitimate detention of American citizens.”
Chairman McCaul spoke on H.R. 6046, which designates the Houthis as a FTO.
“Despite Iran and its proxies building this war machine, in 2021 the Biden administration removed the Houthis’ designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, or FTO. This bill will fix that deadly mistake… I know the importance of addressing terrorist financing and giving law enforcement the tools they need to do it. Despite the Biden administration’s recent announcement to re-designate the Houthis as a [Specially Designated Global Terrorist group], the Biden administration refused to use the strongest tool at its disposal: a FTO designation,” the Chairman said.
H.R. 6609, To amend the Arms Export Control Act to increase the dollar amount thresholds under sections 3 and 36 of that Act relating to proposed transfers or sales of defense articles or services under that Act, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7089, To authorize the Diplomatic Security Services of the Department of State to investigate allegations of violations of conduct constituting offenses under chapter 77 of title 18, United States Code, and for other purposes.
H.Con.Res. 27, Condemning Russia’s unjust and arbitrary detention of Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza who has stood up in defense of democracy, the rule of law, and free and fair elections in Russia.
H.R. 6603, To apply foreign-direct product rules to Iran.
H.Res. 82, Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the need to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, the need to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7159, To bolster United States engagement with the Pacific Islands region, and for other purposes.
H.Res. 965, Calling for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen, who was wrongfully detained by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, and condemning the wrongful detention of Americans by the Taliban.
H.R. 6046, To designate Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization and impose certain sanctions on Ansarallah, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7122, To prohibit aid that will benefit Hamas, and for other purposes.
H.R. 7152, To direct the Secretary of State to establish a national registry of Korean American divided families, and for other purposes.
Watch the full markup here.
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