    [House Hearing, 114 Congress]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

    FRANK R. WOLF INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT OF 2015; STRATEGY TO
        OPPOSE PREDATORY ORGAN TRAFFICKING ACT; UNITED STATES-CARIBBEAN
    STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT ACT OF 2016; REAFFIRMING THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT
       AND THE SIX ASSURANCES AS THE CORNERSTONE OF UNITED STATES-TAIWAN
      RELATIONS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE AUTHORITY FOR THE SUCCESSORS AND
     ASSIGNS OF THE STARR-CAMARGO BRIDGE COMPANY TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE A
    TOLL BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIO GRANDE NEAR RIO GRANDE CITY, TEXAS, AND FOR
                                 OTHER PURPOSES

    =======================================================================

                                     MARKUP

                                   BEFORE THE

                          COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                        ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS

                                 SECOND SESSION

                                       ON

                        H.R. 1150, H.R. 3694, H.R. 4939,

                          H. Con. Res. 88 and S. 2143

                                   __________

                                 APRIL 20, 2016

                                   __________

                               Serial No. 114-158

                                   __________

            Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

    Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/
                                      or
                           http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
                                     ______

                            U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

    99-851PDF                     WASHINGTON : 2016
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
      For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Publishing
      Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800;
             DC area (202) 512-1800 Fax: (202) 512-2104 Mail: Stop IDCC,
                              Washington, DC 20402-0001

                          COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

                     EDWARD R. ROYCE, California, Chairman
    CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey     ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
    ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida         BRAD SHERMAN, California
    DANA ROHRABACHER, California         GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York
    STEVE CHABOT, Ohio                   ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey
    JOE WILSON, South Carolina           GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia
    MICHAEL T. McCAUL, Texas             THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida
    TED POE, Texas                       BRIAN HIGGINS, New York
    MATT SALMON, Arizona                 KAREN BASS, California
    DARRELL E. ISSA, California          WILLIAM KEATING, Massachusetts
    TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania             DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island
    JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina          ALAN GRAYSON, Florida
    MO BROOKS, Alabama                   AMI BERA, California
    PAUL COOK, California                ALAN S. LOWENTHAL, California
    RANDY K. WEBER SR., Texas            GRACE MENG, New York
    SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania            LOIS FRANKEL, Florida
    RON DeSANTIS, Florida                TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii
    MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina         JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas
    TED S. YOHO, Florida                 ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois
    CURT CLAWSON, Florida                BRENDAN F. BOYLE, Pennsylvania
    SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee
    REID J. RIBBLE, Wisconsin
    DAVID A. TROTT, Michigan
    LEE M. ZELDIN, New York
    DANIEL DONOVAN, New York

         Amy Porter, Chief of Staff      Thomas Sheehy, Staff Director

                   Jason Steinbaum, Democratic Staff Director

                                C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------
                                                                       Page

                                   MARKUP ON

    H.R. 1150, To amend the International Religious Freedom Act of
      1998 to improve the ability of the United States to advance
      religious freedom globally through enhanced diplomacy,
      training, counterterrorism, and foreign assistance efforts, and
      through stronger and more flexible political responses to
      religious freedom violations and violent extremism worldwide,
      and for other purposes.........................................     2
      Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1150 offered by
        the Honorable Christopher H. Smith, a Representative in
        Congress from the State of New Jersey........................    45
    H.R. 3694, To combat trafficking in human organs, and for other
      purposes.......................................................    81
      Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3694 offered by
        the Honorable David A. Trott, a Representative in Congress
        from the State of Michigan...................................   100
          Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
            H.R. 3694 offered by the Honorable William Keating, a
            Representative in Congress from the Commonwealth of
            Massachusetts............................................   109
    H.R. 4939, To increase engagement with the governments of the
      Caribbean region, the Caribbean diaspora community in the
      United States, and the private sector and civil society in both
      the United States and the Caribbean, and for other purposes....   110
    H. Con. Res. 88, Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six
      Assurances as the cornerstone of United States-Taiwan relations   118
      Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Con. Res. 88
        offered by the Honorable Steve Chabot, a Representative in
        Congress from the State of Ohio..............................   121
          Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
            H. Con. Res. 88 offered by the Honorable Gerald E.
            Connolly, a Representative in Congress from the
            Commonwealth of Virginia.................................   126
    S. 2143, A bill to provide for the authority for the successors
      and assigns of the Starr-Camargo Bridge Company to maintain and
      operate a toll bridge across the Rio Grande near Rio Grande
      City, Texas, and for other purposes............................   127

              LETTERS, STATEMENTS, ETC., SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD
                                    APPENDIX

    Markup notice....................................................   146
    Markup minutes...................................................   147
    Markup summary...................................................   149
    The Honorable Christopher H. Smith, a Representative in Congress
      from the State of New Jersey: Prepared statement...............   150
    The Honorable Joe Wilson, a Representative in Congress from the
      State of South Carolina: Prepared statement....................   151
    The Honorable Gerald E. Connolly, a Representative in Congress
      from the Commonwealth of Virginia: Material submitted for the
      record.........................................................   152

    FRANK R. WOLF INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT OF 2015; STRATEGY TO
        OPPOSE PREDATORY ORGAN TRAFFICKING ACT; UNITED STATES-CARIBBEAN
    STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT ACT OF 2016; REAFFIRMING THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT
       AND THE SIX ASSURANCES AS THE CORNERSTONE OF UNITED STATES-TAIWAN
      RELATIONS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE AUTHORITY FOR THE SUCCESSORS AND
     ASSIGNS OF THE STARR-CAMARGO BRIDGE COMPANY TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE A
    TOLL BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIO GRANDE NEAR RIO GRANDE CITY, TEXAS, AND FOR
                                 OTHER PURPOSES

                                  ----------

                           WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

                           House of Representatives,

                         Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC.

        The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:09 a.m., in
    room 2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Ed Royce
    (chairman of the committee) presiding.
        Chairman Royce. The committee will come to order.
        Pursuant to notice, we meet today to mark up several
    bipartisan measures. And without objection, all members may
    have 5 days to submit statements or any extraneous material for
    the record.
        Consideration of S. 284 is being postponed, and as members
    were notified yesterday, we intend to consider the other five
    measures en bloc. And so without objection, the following items
    previously provided to members will be considered en bloc and
    are considered as read: H.R. 1150, the Frank Wolf International
    Religious Freedom Act; Smith amendment 76 in the nature of a
    substitute to this measure; also, H.R. 3694, the Strategy to
    Oppose Predatory Organ Trafficking Act, along with Trott
    amendment No. 8 in the nature of a substitute to this measure,
    and the Keating amendment 63 to the Trott amendment; then we
    have H.R. 4939, the U.S.-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of
    2016; and we have House Concurrent Resolution 88, Reaffirming
    the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as the
    Cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan Relations, along with Chabot
    amendment 36 in the nature of a substitute and the Connolly
    amendment 72 to the Chabot amendment; and we have S. 2143,
    Starr-Camargo Bridge Act, as passed by the Senate.
        [The information referred to follows:]

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Chairman Royce. And after recognizing myself and the
    ranking member, I will be pleased to recognize any member
    seeking recognition to speak once on any of these measures.
        I want to thank our Subcommittee Chairman Smith and his
    more than 100 bipartisan cosponsors on their work on H.R. 1150,
    the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act. Inspired by
    years of oversight and multiple hearings, this bill updates the
    International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to improve the
    coordination and effectiveness of U.S. efforts to promote
    religious liberty worldwide.
        Eighteen years after that law was passed, freedom of
    religion remains under threat not only by authoritarian regimes
    obsessed with control, but also by new nonstate actors. ISIS,
    Boko Haram, al-Shabaab have turned religious intolerance into a
    murderous force of global instability. The right to believe and
    practice according to the dictates of conscience is a direct
    challenge to their very ideologies. And thus, it is not just a
    human rights issue. It has become a global security issue.
        By improving coordination, confronting nonstate actors, and
    bettering reporting and training, this bill, 1150, is a helpful
    refinement of our statutory commitment to combat religious
    persecution around the world.
        Moving on to House Concurrent Resolution 88, a resolution
    reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as
    the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations. Congress has long
    championed a strong relationship with Taiwan through landmark
    measures like the Taiwan Relations Act and through pressing
    successive administrations to fulfill their obligation to sell
    defensive arms to Taiwan.
        Today, our committee is once again reaffirming the U.S.
    commitment to Taiwan by upholding the Six Assurances as one of
    the cornerstones of U.S.-Taiwan policy, right alongside the
    Taiwan Relations Act. And I want to thank Representative Steve
    Chabot for offering this important measure and Representative
    Connolly for his amendment stressing the role Congress has
    played in fostering this critical relationship.
        I also want to thank and recognize Representatives Trott
    and Deutch for introducing H.R. 3694, the STOP Organ
    Trafficking Act.
        Organ trafficking has been reported in over 20 countries in
    all regions of the world. Criminal organizations and terrorist
    groups are increasingly engaging in this black market industry.
    It is valued today as an industry at over $1 billion. ISIS
    recently issued a ``fatwa'' sanctioning forced organ harvesting
    from its captives and from apostates, that would be Yazidis or
    Christians or Kurds or others who they believe are apostates to
    their ideology. And traffickers smuggling refugees into Europe
    have reportedly coerced organ donations as the payment now for
    travel.
        The U.S. has led the fight against human trafficking with
    help from this committee and its members. This bill continues
    that leadership by closing the gap in U.S. law that currently
    fails to recognize organ trafficking as a form of human
    trafficking. The legislation also supports voluntary organ
    donation systems, authorizes the President to revoke passports
    or deny visas for anyone convicted of organ trafficking crimes,
    and requires annual reporting to Congress on actions by the
    U.S. and other countries to combat organ trafficking.
        And I want to address H.R. 4939, the United States-
    Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016, and thank Ranking
    Member Engel and Chairman Emeritus Ros-Lehtinen for their
    leadership in advancing U.S. interests in the Western
    Hemisphere.
        For over a decade, countries in the Caribbean have been
    largely beholden to Venezuelan oil subsidies in exchange for
    their support of the authoritarian Venezuelan Government of
    Hugo Chavez and now Nicolas Maduro. The United States has not
    developed a comprehensive strategy of how best to engage this
    region to enhance diplomatic relations, to help the region
    improve energy security, to reduce violence and curb drug
    trafficking, and advance cooperation on democracy and human
    rights.
        So this bill will require the State Department and USAID to
    develop a comprehensive and clear strategy on best engaging the
    Caribbean region. And the bill also requires the Government
    Accountability Office to evaluate the Caribbean Basin Security
    Initiative so that we can be sure we are advancing our
    interests in the region using the best and most efficient
    approach.
        Lastly, we consider S. 2143, the Starr-Camargo Bridge Act.
    Two weeks ago, the Senate unanimously passed this measure,
    which was introduced by Senator Cornyn. And Representative
    Cuellar here, of Texas, on the House side, has introduced an
    identical version in this body.
        This bill, the Senate bill 2143, will grant the Starr-
    Camargo Bridge Company the permanent authority to operate and
    maintain the international bridge that connects via the Rio
    Grande City, Texas, and Monterrey, Mexico. This will give
    Starr-Camargo the same authorities Congress has previously
    given to other privately owned international bridges.
        The bridge has seen continued growth in commercial traffic
    since 2009, and it plays an important role in facilitating
    trade and travel in the region. By granting this authority, we
    are incentivizing Starr-Camargo to continue maintaining and
    expanding the bridge's capacity to keep up with the growing
    trade and commerce along the Texas border with Mexico.
        And I want to thank both Representative Cuellar and
    Representative Castro for their leadership in bringing this
    measure forward for consideration here today.
        I now recognize the ranking member for his remarks.
        Mr. Engel. Mr. Chairman, thank you for convening this
    markup. We have a slate of good bipartisan measures that we are
    taking up today. And thank you especially for calling up the
    Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act, which I was proud to
    introduce recently with Representative Ros-Lehtinen.
        As this committee well knows, it is a big world with a lot
    of challenges. Some are getting more attention than others. So
    it is important to stay focused on our neighbors in the
    Caribbean. These countries are profoundly important to the
    United States. My own district in New York has a sizable
    diaspora population from Caribbean countries, and I hear from
    these proud and engaged communities very often.
        This bill makes it clear that U.S.-Caribbean relations are
    a major priority. It directs the State Department and USAID to
    devise a multiyear strategy for engaging with Caribbean
    governments. We want to put a particular focus on improving
    energy security, strengthening the rule of law, reducing drug
    trafficking, and enhancing economic cooperation.
        We want to ramp up diplomatic engagement, especially when
    it comes to key issues at the United Nations and the
    Organization of American States and with the five Caribbean
    countries where the United States still doesn't have Embassies,
    and, I might add, should have Embassies as soon as possible.
        We will end up with the best policy if we shape it in
    consultation with many Caribbean American citizens in the
    United States. It is a strength for us to have such a strong
    and vibrant diaspora community. So this bill also calls for
    revitalized outreach to this community, seeking greater input
    on ideas for economic development and citizen security.
        Mr. Chairman, again, thank you for moving this legislation
    so quickly. I ask that all members support it.
        Next, I will turn to Mr. Smith's International Religious
    Freedom Act. I want to thank him for all his hard work on this
    issue. Thank you, Mr. Smith.
        The freedoms of thought, conscience, and religion are
    enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Yet,
    around the world, religious communities are subjected to
    escalating violence and persecution. In the 21st century, it is
    unacceptable for anyone to suffer discrimination because of how
    they worship or, for that matter, if they choose not to worship
    at all.
        The United States has a responsibility to speak out when we
    see basic freedoms under threat, and this bill will help the
    administration promote religious freedom around the world. So I
    support this bill, and I also support continuing to fully fund
    the Human Rights and Democracy Fund for all human rights
    abuses.
        I will now turn to the bill offered by Mr. Trott and Mr.
    Deutch aimed at cracking down on predatory organ trafficking.
    This legislation would change our human trafficking law to
    include the trafficking of persons for the removal of their
    organs.
        We don't know much about this crime. Who are the victims?
    How do they get trapped by this illegal trade? What are
    governments doing to halt the practice, track down those
    responsible, and provide services to survivors? If this is a
    pervasive problem, then, yes, of course, we must act.
        This bill calls for a report on this crime so that we gain
    a fuller understanding of the problem. While I have questions
    about including these provisions as part of our global effort
    to confront modern slavery, I am glad that we are working on
    the issue.
        Moving to Mr. Chabot's measure, I am happy to support his
    resolution reaffirming the close ties between the United States
    and Taiwan. This is an exciting time for the Taiwanese people.
    Next month, a new President will be sworn in, the first woman
    to be elected President there. I could add, so that the
    Taiwanese are ahead of us by a few months. I had the pleasure
    of meeting with her several times before the election, and I am
    very hopeful for her success.
        As Taiwan's democracy prepares for a political transition,
    it is important that the United States signal our unwavering
    support for Taiwan, for Taiwan's defense, for its participation
    on the global stage, for its robust democracy. And so this
    resolution reaffirms our commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act
    and the Six Assurances.
        These are the measures that have underpinned our
    relationship with the Taiwanese people since we normalized
    relations with the People's Republic of China. Those ties
    remain deeply important to this day, and I am glad to support
    this resolution. The chairman and I have talked about this a
    great time, and we both believe it is important for the United
    States to stand squarely with our friend and ally Taiwan.
        Lastly, I am glad to support this bill from my good friend
    Representative Cuellar, which would allow the Starr-Camargo
    Bridge to continue as an important connection between the
    United States and Mexico. I have to say, at a time when we hear
    so much about building walls, it feels pretty good to talk
    about strengthening bridges.
        The Starr-Camargo Bridge connects Rio Grande, Texas, with
    Monterrey and Ciudad Camargo in Mexico. Under current law, the
    authority to operate this bridge will expire in 16 years.
    Though it seems like a long way off, that end date has already
    started to constrain investments in long-term improvements.
    This legislation would eliminate that expiration date, just as
    we have done for the Weslaco-Progreso International Bridge.
        This bill doesn't cost U.S. taxpayers a penny. And in the
    midst of a lot of ugly rhetoric, it sends a clear signal:
    Mexico is an extremely important partner to the United States
    and bridges, not barriers, will help that friendship to thrive.
        So I agree with the chairman. I urge support for this
    measure and all the things contained in this measure.
        And I thank you again, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.
        Chairman Royce. Thank you, Mr. Engel.
        Any other members seeking recognition?
        Mr. Smith.
        Mr. Smith. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.
        First of all, let me thank you for scheduling all of these
    bills, including the International Religious Freedom Act, the
    Frank Wolf bill, which honors a tremendous advocate for
    religious freedom and the author of the landmark 1998
    International Religious Freedom Act.
        I want to thank Eliot Engel as well, the ranking member,
    for working so closely with us on this important legislation.
        And I would like to thank Anna Eshoo, who is the original
    Democratic cosponsor of the bill and a great supporter of
    religious freedom, especially in the Middle East. Her work has
    been greatly appreciated, and we have come up, I think, with a
    bill that will make a significant difference.
        The world is experiencing an unprecedented crisis of
    international religious freedom, a crisis that continues to
    create millions of victims, a crisis that undermines liberty,
    prosperity, and peace, a crisis that poses a direct challenge
    to the U.S. interests in the Middle East, North Korea, China,
    and in sub-Saharan Africa.
        The bill we passed almost 18 years ago needs to be updated
    to match the challenges of the 21st century. And, again, that
    is what we are doing with the legislation: Provide tools,
    training, and resources used by the administration to advance
    this universally recognized human right.
        Among its many provisions--and they are mutually
    reinforcing provisions--it clarifies that the Ambassador-at-
    Large will report to the Secretary of State. Sometimes there
    has been a little glitch there over the years in terms of that
    information going right to the ears of the Secretary of State.
        It creates a special watch list, not unlike what we did
    with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. When a country
    doesn't rise to the level of a Country of Particular Concern
    but is a bad actor, this gives the President a way to say we
    are watching. And the special watch list will provide that very
    useful utility.
        Curricula for training Foreign Service Officers so that
    they really do understand before deployment, especially
    overseas, exactly what the lay of the land is and what
    international religious freedom is all about.
        We also include, as you pointed out, Mr. Chairman, a new
    designation of nonstate actors. We call them entities of
    particular concern. They are not countries. Boko Haram, ISIS,
    al-Shabaab, and others need to be focused upon for their
    nefarious deeds and individuals held to account to the greatest
    extent practicable for their horrible deeds.
        CPC designations need to be made annually. There were a
    number of years where they were not made. And this will at
    least clarify that those Country of Particular Concern
    designations do need to be made every single year.
        And then there are a number of other provisions that will,
    I think, significantly strengthen.
        And I would ask unanimous consent that my full statement be
    made a part of the record, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Royce. Without objection.
        Mr. Smith. And I would just finally say how grateful I
    think we all are that Mr. Trott and Mr. Deutch have really
    stepped up to the plate with their H.R. 3694, the Strategy to
    Oppose Organ Trafficking Act.
        Twenty years-plus ago, I held a hearing on organ
    trafficking, and we actually had a man who was a part of that
    testify about this horrific practice of killing people in order
    to steal their organs and to make money for the regime in China
    and elsewhere. That has gotten worse and is particularly
    focused on the Falun Gong who have suffered disproportionately
    from this very shocking abuse of human rights.
        So, again, I want to thank them for their wonderful bill,
    and it will make a difference.
        I yield back.
        Chairman Royce. Mr. Sherman.
        Mr. Sherman. I yield a minute-and-a-half to the gentleman
    from Virginia.
        Mr. Connolly. I thank my friend from California for his
    graciousness. I have to run to another hearing.
        Mr. Chairman, I want to associate myself with the remarks
    both of yourself and of the ranking member with respect to the
    Taiwan resolution we have here. And I want to ask unanimous
    consent to assert in the record an interesting document, pages
    44 through 48 of the Department of State Bulletin from March
    1979, which was their draft for what we ought to do with
    respect to Taiwan.
        And you can see that it does not address security at all.
    And it took Congress to take the initiative in rewriting this
    into the vibrant, dynamic Taiwan Relations Act that now
    undergirds our relationship with that island and that was the
    basis for the defensive military assistance we currently
    provide and have provided to Taiwan. It is a great example of
    actually congressional foreign policymaking that was
    desperately needed. A vacuum had been created, and we rose to
    the occasion.
        So I would ask unanimous consent to enter this into the
    record. It is a rather rare document. And I think it
    underscores----
        Chairman Royce. It is often referenced, this piece of
    history, in textbooks about Congress' role. And without
    objection, we will put it in the record.
        Mr. Connolly. I thank the chair. And I thank Mr. Sherman so
    much for his courtesy.
        Mr. Sherman. Thank you.
        I want to thank the chairman for holding these hearings. I
    am a cosponsor of H.R. 1150, the Frank Wolf International
    Religious Freedom Act; H.R. 4939, the United States-Caribbean
    Strategic Engagement Act; and the H. Con. Res. 88, the Taiwan
    Relations and Six Assurances resolution.
        I want to focus on Taiwan, as the gentleman from Virginia
    did as well. I am the lead Democratic cosponsor of this
    resolution, which affirms the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six
    Assurances as the cornerstone of United States-Taiwan
    relations.
        The Taiwan Relations Act is critical to the U.S.-Taiwan
    relationship. On January 1, 1979, when the Carter
    administration established diplomatic relations with the
    People's Republic of China, it ended formal ties with the
    Republic of China on Taiwan. However, the United States
    Congress acted swiftly to reaffirm the United States-Taiwan
    relationship with the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act
    just 100 days later, ensuring that the United States would
    maintain a robust and enduring relationship with Taiwan.
        Since 1979, we have seen Taiwan develop into a strong
    democracy. We are in the process of seeing a peaceful and
    orderly transition of power from one political party to
    another. Taiwan is an important ally, and we need to do
    everything possible to make sure that it remains so.
        The Six Assurances to Taiwan have been a verbal U.S. pledge
    since 1982. This bill is important because it solidifies this
    commitment in legislation for the first time. Three of those
    Six Assurances are a commitment to continued arm sales to
    Taiwan, a commitment to not consult with Beijing on U.S.-Taiwan
    relations, and a commitment to stand by the Taiwan Relations
    Act, which was passed 3 years before the Six Assurances in 1979
    and which Mr. Connolly has already referenced.
        This resolution not only affirms that the Taiwan Relations
    Act and the Six Assurances are the cornerstone of U.S.
    relations with Taiwan, but it also urges the President and the
    State Department to affirm the Six Assurances publicly,
    proactively, and consistently as a cornerstone of United
    States-Taiwan relations.
        Mr. Chairman, I think Congress not only has been doing good
    work on the U.S.-Taiwan relationship for a long time, the
    Taiwan Relations Act, which was mentioned by Mr. Connolly, but
    also just recently our committee. Back in December we passed a
    resolution saying it was time to transfer the frigates to
    Taiwan. And 5 days later, they finally transferred the friggin'
    frigates.
        And it was good to join with you in that bill and to join
    with Mr. Salmon in the bill on Interpol, which was signed into
    law recently, and which will be causing us to develop a
    strategy to get Taiwan into Interpol, because after all, who is
    in favor of the international criminals that Interpol is trying
    to incarcerate.
        So, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
        Chairman Royce. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
        I did have the pleasure of going aboard one of those
    frigates as we were trying to expedite the process with my
    legislation. But it is now done, and this legislation will now,
    after our vote, go to the floor.
        But in the meantime, I think Ileana Ros-Lehtinen was
    seeking time.
        Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman, thank
    you, Ranking Member Engel, for convening this markup and
    bringing up all of these important measures in front of our
    committee in a bipartisan manner as always.
        I am going to briefly speak about two of the bills. I am
    proud to be the Republican lead, alongside my good friend and
    the ranking member, Eliot Engel, on the U.S.-Caribbean
    Strategic Engagement Act, a bill which would help push the
    State Department to prioritize U.S.-Caribbean relationships.
    That is so important.
        When not sharing the national stage with Hillary Clinton,
    Ranking Member Engel has long made the Caribbean one of his top
    priorities, and I want to thank him for his tremendous
    leadership on this issue.
        This bill would require the State Department to develop a
    strategy to partner with our Caribbean neighbors on everything
    from counternarcotics to energy security and to broaden our
    outreach to the Caribbean diaspora community in our Nation.
    South Florida makes up a large segment of this diaspora, and I
    understand well the importance of both the Caribbean and the
    need for increased engagement by the United States with those
    countries.
        Too often Caribbean nations are either taken for granted or
    are neglected by the State Department, leaving them with little
    to no presence of the U.S. or diplomatic engagement, and this
    course must and should be corrected. Deepening our strategic
    relationship with the Caribbean represents an extraordinary
    opportunity to expand our economic ties, cooperate on security
    issues, and advance our values and interests at places like the
    OAS and the U.N.
        So I fully support this measure. I thank Mr. Engel for
    sponsoring it. I urge my colleagues to give this bill their
    full support as well.
        And I would also like to offer my support for my dear
    friend Steve Chabot's resolution, which would reaffirm the
    importance of the Taiwan Relations Act and President Reagan's
    Six Assurances to the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. I am proud to
    be a cosponsor because I continue to believe that the Taiwan
    Relations Act and the Six Assurances should be unequivocal
    guidelines to which the United States must remain fully and
    firmly committed.
        Taiwan is and remains an important ally, a friend, a
    strategic, economic, and security partner of the United States,
    and there should be no doubt about this commitment to her, and
    as the Taiwanese people continue to prove, their vibrant
    democracy, Taiwan must have the capability to defend herself
    from aggression from China, whether political, economic, or
    military in nature.
        And it is critical that both China and Taiwan know that our
    commitment to Taiwan, to the Taiwan Relations Act, and to the
    Six Assurances, has not wavered one bit. Taiwan must be allowed
    to peacefully determine its own future, and I urge my
    colleagues to reaffirm this principle by passing this important
    Steve Chabot resolution here today.
        I thank the chairman.
        Chairman Royce. Thank you, Ileana.
        Mr. Ted Deutch from Florida.
        Mr. Deutch. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I appreciate the
    opportunity to have all these bills before us today.
        I would like to speak about the Strategy to Oppose
    Predatory Organ Trafficking Act. I want to thank Mr. Trott for
    his leadership on this issue.
        And thanks to Mr. Smith as well for your longstanding
    attention to the issue of organ trafficking.
        This bill, H.R. 3694, addresses an important but often
    underacknowledged global trafficking issue. In places all over
    the world, amid the millions of people enslaved into the
    various forms of human trafficking, are individuals trafficked
    specifically for the illicit purpose of removing their organs.
    This black market of organ trafficking finds at-risk people and
    entices them with money in exchange for their organs. Often
    these victims are poor and vulnerable to offers of money that
    they can then use to pay for food and basic necessities for
    their families.
        A 2013 United Nations report found that the economic and
    social divisions within and among countries is similarly
    reflected in the most common victims of illegal organ
    trafficking, specifically in poor and unemployed populations.
    The sad reality is the people most in need of help are the
    easiest to fall pray by extortion by traffickers.
        But this problem is global, and while victims may come from
    lower-income countries, the demand that keeps the illegal organ
    trafficking market so profitable comes from higher-income
    countries, including the United States. Many of our allies
    already list trafficking of persons for the removal of their
    organs as a form of human trafficking, and a number of
    international protocols and agreements urge countries to do
    more to restrict the market. These illicit activities are
    simply unacceptable and are against our American values.
        So I am thrilled that this bill will allow our government
    to do its part to work against this illicit black market,
    including empowering the Secretary of State to deny or revoke
    passports to anyone convicted of organ trafficking offense and
    asking the State Department to keep Congress informed of what
    our government and other governments are doing to address this
    problem.
        We have received support from a number of groups advocating
    for stronger laws against illicit trafficking of organs and
    better protection of victims. And I would like to specifically
    thank the Coalition for Organ Failure Solutions for their
    support.
        I am proud of the attention that this committee has given
    to human trafficking, and I ask that we continue our strong
    record by acknowledging that trafficking of persons for the
    removal of their organs is a violation of our American values.
        And I yield back the balance of my time. Thank you, Mr.
    Chairman.
        Chairman Royce. Thank you, Mr. Deutch.
        Mr. Rohrabacher of California.
        Mr. Rohrabacher. I will make this short. I just would like
    to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank Ranking Member Engel. One
    needs only to take a look at the issues that are being
    discussed today to note that you are reaffirming this
    committee's traditional positioning and support for human
    rights throughout the world.
        You obviously are taking up where Henry Hyde and others who
    before you sat in that chair, you are building upon what they
    created as a foundation for freedom and justice and liberty and
    human rights as being values that this committee will uphold.
    And I appreciate every one of these bills reflects that. So
    thank you, Ranking Member, and thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Royce. Thank you, Mr. Rohrabacher.
        Mr. Keating from Massachusetts.
        Mr. Keating. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        I want to thank Mr. Trott and Mr. Deutch for their
    leadership in introducing the Strategy to Oppose Predatory
    Organ Trafficking Act. Too often vulnerable individuals are
    coerced or forced into supporting this illicit trade. And just
    in a world where you think things can't get much worse, you see
    this kind of coerced or forced activity really hurt victims who
    are typically poor or unemployed. Some of them indeed were
    known to include children.
        Countries must have an effective law on the books if we are
    to protect against future victims of this trade, and it is
    crucial that countries then enforce these laws so that
    perpetrators do not continue to target vulnerable individuals
    with impunity. My amendment adds to the bill a report on host
    country enforcement of these laws against trafficking of
    persons for the removal of organs.
        Finally, I would like to thank all the sponsors of the four
    additional bills being considered this morning, all of which I
    support. These pieces of legislation will have important
    consequences in advancing human rights, security policy, and
    U.S. engagement abroad.
        And I do want to say, in a Congress that is often stymied
    on its ability to act, this committee continues to move forward
    and stands out in that regard for working cooperatively and in
    a bipartisan fashion to really address very important issues. I
    want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for that
    as well.
        And I yield back.
        Chairman Royce. I want to just respond if I could, Mr.
    Keating. I thank you for this amendment and support its
    inclusion in the bill.
        Having adequate laws on the books without strong
    enforcement, frankly, is meaningless, so amending the annual
    report to highlight a country's implementation and enforcement
    efforts will send this clear message, and it is going to
    enhance our efforts to stop organ trafficking. So we thank you
    for your improvement to the legislation.
        Mr. Salmon of Arizona.
        Mr. Salmon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        I am very pleased to support Mr. Chabot's legislation, H.
    Con. Res. 88, Reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six
    Assurances as the cornerstone of United States-Taiwan
    relations.
        Mr. Chairman, I was a missionary in 1979 when Jimmy Carter
    was President and severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan. It was a
    very dark time for me personally. It was something I was very,
    very frustrated about at the time. But then Congress kind of
    came to the rescue. I think it was the leadership of the
    Senator from my State, Barry Goldwater, that put forth the
    Taiwan Relations Act.
        And I think us reaffirming our commitment to that--and Mr.
    Chabot, you are just to be congratulated--this is so very, very
    important, not just to our relationship with Taiwan, but I
    think to the world at large. Taiwan's vibrant democracy is so
    incredibly important to the region as a guidepost for other
    nations to follow, and many are following suit with Taiwan's
    leadership in the world.
        I was fortunate to go to Lee Teng-hui's swearing-in,
    President Chen Shui-bian's, and I will be going in just a
    couple weeks to the swearing-in of Tsai Ing-wen, the newly
    elected President of Taiwan. And I am just really excited that
    we are doing the right thing today.
        America's commitment to Taiwan was so important that Ronald
    Reagan led the way toward this country's policies and
    commitment to Taiwan that have been in place for several
    decades now. I strongly support this resolution and urge my
    colleagues to support its passage.
        I would also like to speak in support of Mr. Trott's
    legislation, the Stop Organ Trafficking Act. The illegal
    trafficking of human organs is despicable. The World Health
    Organization estimates that 10 percent of all transplanted
    organs worldwide are illegally obtained, coerced from
    vulnerable populations and prisoners, and it is long past time
    for the U.S. to make a policy to combat this brutal activity
    that seeks only to terrorize defenseless individuals.
    Terrorists and doctrinal regimes use this practice to fund
    their activities and to brutally punish those they seek to
    control, and this bill will put a stop to it.
        And finally, I would like to speak in support of Chairman
    Smith's legislation, H.R. 1150, the Frank R. Wolf International
    Religious Freedom Act of 2015. I am a cosponsor of this
    legislation and I am proud to support international religious
    freedom.
        As a man of faith, one of the greatest freedoms we enjoy in
    this, the greatest Nation on the Earth, is the ability to
    worship as we please. Our Founding Fathers fought for this
    principle, and Congress has a responsibility to continue that
    fight for others. And I really appreciate Representative Smith
    constantly being a reminder of this important truth and this
    important responsibility that we have in Congress and
    constantly standing up for the fight for human rights.
        God is going to have a special place for you, for all the
    great work you have done, my friend.
        So thank you, and I will yield back my time.
        Chairman Royce. We will go to Mr. Cicilline from Rhode
    Island.
        Mr. Cicilline. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you
    and Ranking Member Engel for holding this markup and for once
    again conducting the business of this committee in a bipartisan
    way.
        I want to thank the sponsors of the bills that we are
    considering this morning, and I support all of the bills before
    us. But I want to spend a few moments to speak about H.R. 1150,
    the Frank Wolf International Religious Freedom Act.
        This legislation has special significance to people in my
    home State, the State of Rhode Island founded by Roger
    Williams, because of his desire for religious liberty that he
    didn't think he could quite enjoy in the neighboring
    Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I waited until Mr. Keating left
    to say that.
        But I strongly support the goals of this legislation to
    protect and promote religious freedom around the world. Our
    former colleague, Frank Wolf, dedicated his career to fighting
    for basic human rights, and it is fitting that this legislation
    honors the extraordinary work that he has done in this area.
        Religious minorities around the world face discrimination,
    harassment, persecution, and worse. Today, the Islamic State is
    engaged in systemic persecution against religious minorities as
    part of their bloody campaign in the Middle East that targets
    any group that doesn't fit within its radical ideology. Just
    last month, the House and the Obama administration found that
    ISIS has engaged in acts of crimes against humanity, war
    crimes, and genocide against religious and ethnic minorities in
    the region.
        I do want to use this occasion to remind my colleagues that
    there are widespread abuses taking place in the world right
    now, in Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, DRC, and many other countries.
    Governments, terrorist groups, and other actors are engaged in
    horrific campaigns that encompass women, children, minorities,
    and other vulnerable populations. And it is incredibly
    important that we are careful not to seem to be elevating
    abuses against one particular group above others.
        For example, around the world, those perceived to be part
    of the LGBT community are facing absolutely horrific violence,
    especially today in territories controlled by the Islamic
    State. ISIS has proudly advertised its crimes against allegedly
    LGBT individuals through gruesome social media, videos, and
    photos.
        Groups such as OutRight Action International have compiled
    dozens of incidents in which people, usually men, have been
    blindfolded, tortured, thrown off tall buildings, and brutally
    murdered by crowds incited by anti-LGBT slurs. I have a list
    here that details some of these particular instances of
    violence against those perceived to be LGBT, and they are
    horrific.
        Last summer, BBC magazine ran a heartbreaking story
    entitled, ``Why My Own Father Would Have Let IS Kill Me,''
    which detailed a young man who had to flee Iraq undercover
    after his own father agreed to turn him over to ISIS for being
    gay.
        I raise these issues not to suggest that those within the
    Islamic State territory or elsewhere who are being persecuted
    for being LGBT are more deserving of our attention than those
    suffering any other type of persecution, but I do want to
    ensure that LGBT people and other vulnerable groups who are
    being persecuted around the world are not forgotten and that we
    raise our voices in condemnation of all abuses of basic human
    rights and refrain from creating a hierarchy of human rights
    and I look forward to our consideration of legislation intended
    to do just that.
        I hope we can learn from the important example of U.S.
    efforts to combat religious persecution and use lessons learned
    and best practices to inform the work we do as a country to
    combat the persecution of all vulnerable groups around the
    world, including women, children, and LGBT individuals.
        I thank you, and I yield back.
        Chairman Royce. Thank you, Mr. Cicilline.
        We go now to Mr. Chabot of Ohio.
        Mr. Chabot. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
        As one of the founding Members of the Congressional Taiwan
    Caucus, I have been actively involved in all Taiwan-U.S. issues
    for many years now and chaired the Asia and the Pacific
    Subcommittee as well, and I have been to Taiwan many times.
    That is why I am honored to have introduced House Concurrent
    Resolution 88, which reaffirms the Taiwan Relations Act and the
    Six Assurances as cornerstones of U.S.-Taiwan relations.
        Our relationship has been an enduring one. Taiwan is a
    close ally of ours, one that truly believes in and practices
    freedom and democracy. And the people of Taiwan proved that yet
    again this past January with the election of President Tsai,
    and I want to wish her and all the people of Taiwan the best of
    luck in her new role as President of Taiwan. I want to restate
    our support, just as this committee has for many, many years,
    and Congress has as well, our support of Taiwan.
        As most of my colleagues are aware, Taiwan faces an
    unrelenting threat from China, which has nearly 1,600 ballistic
    missiles aimed at her. And although Taiwan enjoys--let's face
    it--de facto independence, China's ultimate goal is to take the
    island, if by force or over time. China has made no bones about
    this. They have been pretty open about it for a long time.
    Unfortunately, the Taiwan Strait remains one of the potentially
    most dangerous flashpoints in the world.
        April 10, 2016, marked the 37th anniversary of the
    enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, codifying into law an
    institutional framework and a legal basis for continued
    cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan that would serve to
    maintain peace and stability in the western Pacific. However,
    when President Reagan agreed to sign the so-called U.S.-China
    Third Communique in 1982, he was aware of the communique's
    possible effect on Taiwan and recognized that Taiwan needed and
    deserved reassurance that the United States would be there
    whenever Taiwan needed us.
        So to reinforce American support for Taiwan, the United
    States issued the Six Assurances, which are guidelines to
    conduct relations between the U.S. and Taiwan, and they are as
    valid today as they were in 1982. They rightfully function,
    along with the Taiwan Relations Act, as cornerstones of the
    U.S.-Taiwan relations.
        And this is a relationship that has been a very strong one
    over the years. It is one of the reasons that I think it is
    very important that this administration reconsider the military
    cutbacks which have been proposed, and the fact that when
    Ronald Reagan was President his goal was to build up a 600-ship
    Navy, and we are down 250-some ships at this time.
        And a lot of those ships need to be in the Pacific and
    particularly in and around China, which clearly has plans. It
    is building up its navy. It is building islands and
    militarizing them. It is bullying its neighbors from the
    Philippines to Vietnam to Taiwan, you name it.
        And so it is very important for the U.S. to have the
    strength and for Taiwan also to continue to build up its
    military. The one thing that would make an armed conflict more
    likely is if Taiwan appears to be weak or the United States is
    weak. That is when there is a real danger of military action
    occurring. As long as Taiwan and the United States are strong,
    I don't think China would ever take any overt hostile military
    action.
        But I am afraid that the message that is being sent out
    worldwide is that the U.S. is pulling back, and that is a
    message that must change. We ought to have just the opposite.
    The United States needs to be actively engaged around the
    world, particularly in the Pacific.
        So I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and
    thank them for their support and yield back the balance of my
    time.
        Chairman Royce. Mr. Trott.
        Mr. Trott. I would like to thank Chairman Royce for
    scheduling H.R. 3694 for consideration, and also my colleague,
    Representative Deutch, for his partnership and leadership on
    the Stop Organ Trafficking Act. I also want to thank Mr. Smith
    for his commitment and years of work on this important issue
    and Representative Keating for his helpful amendment.
        The illegal trafficking of human organs has long been a
    terrible and heinous crime, but, unfortunately, the United
    States policies and laws have not kept pace. China has
    inexplicably been targeting Falun Gong for years. And more
    recently, ISIS has reportedly been resorting to this brutal
    practice to finance their nefarious activities and strike fear
    in the hearts of innocent people.
        Late last year, ISIS released a religious edict stating
    that taking organs from a living captive to save a Muslim's
    life was permissible, making religious minorities in Iraq, like
    the Chaldeans and the Assyrians, even more vulnerable targets.
        Mr. Chairman, it is time the United States shine a bright
    light on this problem and take a leading role in combating this
    heinous crime, standing with the world's most vulnerable. I
    urge my colleagues to vote in support of this timely and
    necessary legislation.
        Thank you, and I yield back my time.
        Chairman Royce. Any additional members seeking recognition?
        Hearing no further requests for recognition, the question
    occurs on the items considered en bloc.
        All those in favor, say aye.
        All those opposed, no.
        In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it and the
    measures considered en bloc are agreed to. And without
    objection, the measures considered en bloc are ordered
    favorably reported, as amended, and staff is directed to make
    any technical and conforming changes. Also without objection,
    the Chair is authorized to seek House consideration of those
    measures under suspension of the rules.
        And that concludes our business for today.
        I again want to thank Ranking Member Engel. I want to thank
    all of our committee members for their contributions and
    assistance with today's markup.
        This committee stands adjourned, and these measures are
    passed.
        [Whereupon, at 10:55 a.m., the committee was adjourned.]

                                A P P E N D I X

                                  ----------

             Material Submitted for the Record

             [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                     [all]