[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 482 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 482

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding United 
   States efforts to promote peace and stability in the Gulf region 
                between and among United States allies.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 10, 2019

  Mr. Bilirakis (for himself and Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                           on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding United 
   States efforts to promote peace and stability in the Gulf region 
                between and among United States allies.

Whereas the United States maintains a strategic alliance with numerous countries 
        located in the Gulf region and specifically enjoys a strong relationship 
        and partnership with the member nations of the Gulf Cooperative Council 
        (GCC);
Whereas the GCC is a regional political and economic union consisting of its 
        member states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the 
        United Arab Emirates (UAE) formally established by the Charter of the 
        Gulf Cooperation Council on May 25, 1981;
Whereas the United States respects the state sovereignty of all member states in 
        the GCC;
Whereas the GCC has been a stabilizing force since 1981 in the aftermath of the 
        1979 Islamic revolution in Iran and the turbulence following the 
        outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980;
Whereas the founding charter of the GCC emphasized the integration and 
        interconnection of economics, education, and culture among members 
        designed to respond to concerns that Iran would emerge as a political, 
        ideological, and economic power;
Whereas, on June 5, 2017, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt officially cut 
        diplomatic ties with Qatar, a member state of the GCC, resulting in a 
        cessation of diplomatic relations, closed borders and airspace with 
        Qatar, and a blockade that has now stretched longer than one year, and 
        creating increased tensions between members of the GCC, as well as with 
        other United States allies in the region;
Whereas Qatar's isolation by these countries has created a diplomatic crisis in 
        the Gulf region challenging the unity of nations that comprise the GCC, 
        as well as the security of the entire region;
Whereas, on January 13, 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the 
        ``rift between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors had gone on for too long and 
        was threatening regional unity needed to counter Iran'';
Whereas Secretary Pompeo also noted that ``Gulf unity was essential for a 
        planned Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) that would also include 
        Jordan and Egypt'';
Whereas a key component of the United States military strategy in the Gulf is 
        the maintenance of a United States military presence in the region with 
        United States Armed Forces stationed at various Gulf state facilities 
        that the United States has access to, in accordance with Defense 
        Cooperation Agreements between the United States and these countries;
Whereas Al-Udeid Air Base has allowed the United States to use strategic assets 
        to counter ISIS, command and control United States air power in the 
        region, and conduct missions integral to addressing conflicts in Yemen, 
        Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and over 15 other nations;
Whereas, on January 14, 2019, Secretary Pompeo signed a memorandum of 
        understanding with Qatar regarding the expansion and renovation of Al-
        Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the United 
        States military's Central Command and some 10,000 American troops;
Whereas the ability of ISIS and other terrorist groups to maintain influence in 
        the Gulf runs counter to the national security objectives of the United 
        States, the GCC, and the entire region;
Whereas the President of the United States has recognized the importance of 
        regional cooperation and a united GCC to mitigate regional threats and 
        ensure the region's economic prosperity, counter Iranian destabilizing 
        activities, and defeat terrorists and extremists;
Whereas, on April 23, 2017, United States Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence 
        Silverman stated that President Trump was eager to find a ``quick and 
        final'' solution to the Gulf crisis, and Kuwait's Foreign Minister 
        Khaled al-Jarallah said, ``Kuwait and the Gulf countries were determined 
        to solve the crisis'';
Whereas the Government of Kuwait has led GCC efforts to resolve the crisis and 
        has historically called for regional solidarity and diplomatic solutions 
        to regional conflicts;
Whereas the Trump administration has sought to negotiate a peaceful resolution 
        to the crisis by hosting visits by several Gulf leaders including that 
        of Qatar in March and April 2018 and other nations in the region, to 
        mediate a resolution of the dispute;
Whereas a prolonged rift between our allies in the region threatens efforts to 
        counter Iran and regional terrorist groups;
Whereas the lengthy blockade has exacted an untold humanitarian cost on all the 
        people of the region, long-term damage to the GCC's economic and 
        financial integration, and considerable harm to the region's social 
        bonds and cultural fabric; and
Whereas the blockade of Qatar has undermined the Middle East's stability and the 
        United States has a significant national security interest in the 
        stability and economic prosperity of the Gulf: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms its appreciation to the Government of Kuwait 
        for the efforts they have made in trying to facilitate 
        mediation between the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) and its 
        member states;
            (2) reaffirms its support for the GCC and its member states 
        as allies and partners in combatting terrorism and promoting 
        stability and prosperity in the Gulf region;
            (3) reaffirms United States policy toward the GCC and our 
        allies, which has remained consistent for decades, that a 
        united Gulf is in the best interests of the entire Middle East; 
        and
            (4) encourages President Trump and the Secretary of State 
        to use all efforts at their disposal to resolve the current 
        crisis peacefully in a manner that is consistent with United 
        States policy in the region and will be enduring and 
        enforceable, by initiating a serious mediation effort with GCC 
        members and Egypt, including the possibility of hosting a 
        summit among the GCC, Egypt, and the United States.
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