Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) spoke on the House floor today in support of a resolution to condemn the terror attacks in Brussels and declare ISIS a threat to global security.  The full House will pass the resolution later this morning.  Following are Chairman Royce’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 658 condemning the terrorist attacks in Brussels carried out by Islamist extremists yesterday. 

“ISIS terrorists have once again struck in Europe, this time in Belgium.  The murderers coldly chose crowded areas at the Brussels airport and metro system in order to kill and maim as many innocent men, women, and even children as possible.  The latest reports say there are more than 30 deaths and more than 200 wounded, including a number of Americans.

“ISIS has proudly claimed responsibility for the attacks, the latest in a series that includes the horrific assaults in Paris last November, a double suicide bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, and the proud boast of responsibility for downing a Russian passenger jet in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.  The list of atrocities is far longer, including those by ISIS affiliates elsewhere, such as the recent attack in the Ivory Coast.

“As these and other assaults show, ISIS is rapidly expanding its reach beyond its bases in Syria and Iraq.  Over 30,000 fighters from more than 100 countries have joined ISIS, including more than 250 Americans.  More than 4,500 of this ‘terrorist diaspora’ hold western passports and are but a plane-ride away from the United States and Europe.

“This resolution puts the House on record as condemning the attacks in Brussels, and extends our sympathies to those affected by this tragedy.  And it reaffirms our support for the people of Belgium in their time of national anguish.

“But we must do more than just express our sorrow.  We must take decisive action to eliminate the threat, including expanding information sharing with our friends and allies, putting stronger border checks in place, combating the online propaganda and hate speech of Islamist extremists, and sharpening coalition efforts to destroy ISIS itself.

“I urge all members to support this resolution.”

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