The publication is reproduced in full below:
IRAN IS A THREAT
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) for 5 minutes.
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, yesterday at the United Nations General Assembly meeting, President Biden once again declared that he wants to ensure that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon on his watch. But he reiterated that his administration intends to do everything it can to get back into the discredited nuclear deal with Iran.
Now, Madam Speaker, this was his only reference directly about Iran in his remarks.
Today, I rise to remind my colleagues about the risks of this approach. Iran is the number one state sponsor of terrorism and the greatest threat against our ally, Israel, and to stability in the Middle East.
In July, I joined Chairman Meeks and traveled to Israel in the first Congressional codel since the new Israeli government has come into power.
Despite the change in power and the coalition between the left and right, there is no space between the parties, and the number one national security concern in Israel continues to be Iran.
And while Republicans and Democrats agree in principle that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon, in action, the flawed nuclear deal of the Obama administration did not end Iran's quest. It only delayed modestly the development of a nuclear weapon; development that continues, Madam Speaker.
This deal kicked the can down the road in exchange for a windfall to the Iranian mullahs and sanctions relief and pallets of cash delivered on a tarmac.
Further, President Trump's maximum pressure campaign of economic sanctions was working, and he took decisive action with his strike against former IRGC head, Solemani.
So, my friends, I am afraid that we will return to the Obama-era policy of paying cash for promises from the Iranian leadership that will never be kept.
Iran has blood on their hands, propping up Assad in Syria, the death of American troops in Iraq, and recently even blatantly attempting kidnapping in New York City.
As a result, I reintroduced my legislation, the Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act.
This bipartisan bill with my friend Mr. Lawson from Florida would make public the funds obtained in an illegal or corrupt manner by Iran's authoritarian leaders.
For more than four decades the people of Iran have lived under the brutal dictatorship of the Ayatollahs.
The government leadership and the heads of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have all profited, Madam Speaker, at the expense of the struggling Iranian people.
By combining publicly available information with U.S. intelligence that can be made public, this legislation will provide a valuable window into the wealth making of Iran's corrupt officials and limit their financial holdings which are used to support and sponsor terrorism.
However, since this administration is attempting to re-enter nuclear negotiations, we throw away a lot of leverage. This bill gives the U.S. Government and Iranian people knowledge by knowing how corrupt their leadership is.
Commemorating Erma Hendrix
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Little Rock City Director Erma Hendrix, who sadly passed away at the age of 91 on September 8.
Born and raised in Little Rock, Director Hendrix dedicated her life to public service. From serving as a nurse, to local government, to her philanthropic endeavors, she always put our community first.
Erma spent over 15 years representing her community as part of Little Rock City's Board of Directors representing Ward 1. Known for her passion, she spent her career fighting for racial equality and greater representation in city governance.
I value having the opportunity to work alongside Director Hendrix. I am grateful to have known her for so long and so favorably, and I know that the city of Little Rock is better for the service and work of Director Erma Hendrix. God rest her soul.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 164
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up