[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H9188-H9191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2006
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 6060) to authorize certain activities by the
Department of State, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 6060
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department
of State Authorities Act of 2006''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Fraud prevention and detection account.
Sec. 3. Education allowances.
Sec. 4. Interference with protective functions.
Sec. 5. Persons excused from payment of fees for execution and issuance
of passports.
Sec. 6. Authority to administratively amend surcharges.
Sec. 7. Extension of privileges and immunities.
Sec. 8. Removal of contracting prohibition.
Sec. 9. Personal services contracting.
Sec. 10. Proliferation interdiction support.
Sec. 11. Safeguarding and elimination of conventional arms.
Sec. 12. Imposition of sanctions to deter the transfer of MANPADS.
Sec. 13. Additional authorities.
SEC. 2. FRAUD PREVENTION AND DETECTION ACCOUNT.
Section 286(v)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1356(v)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by inserting ``or primarily'' after
``exclusively''; and
(2) by amending clause (ii) to read as follows:
``(ii) otherwise to prevent and detect visa fraud,
including primarily fraud by applicants for visas described
in subparagraph (H)(i), (H)(ii), or (L) of section
101(a)(15), in cooperation with the Secretary of Homeland
Security or pursuant to the terms of a memorandum of
understanding or other agreement between the Secretary of
State and the Secretary of Homeland Security; and''.
SEC. 3. EDUCATION ALLOWANCES.
Section 5924(4) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the first sentence of subparagraph (A), by inserting
``United States'' after ``nearest'';
(2) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
``(B) The travel expenses of dependents of an employee to
and from a secondary or post-secondary educational
institution, not to exceed one annual trip each way for each
dependent, except that an allowance payment under
subparagraph (A) may not be made for a dependent during the
12 months following the arrival of the dependent at the
selected educational institution under authority contained in
this subparagraph.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Allowances provided pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and
(B) may include, at the election of the employee, payment or
reimbursement of the costs incurred to store baggage for the
employee's dependent at or in the vicinity of the dependent's
school during one trip per year by the dependent between the
school and the employee's duty station, except that such
payment or reimbursement may not exceed the cost that the
Government would incur to transport the baggage in connection
with the trip, and such payment or reimbursement shall be in
lieu of transportation of the baggage.''.
SEC. 4. INTERFERENCE WITH PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONS.
(a) Offense.--Chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 118. Interference with certain protective functions
``Any person who knowingly and willfully obstructs,
resists, or interferes with a Federal law enforcement agent
engaged, within the United States or the special maritime
territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in the
performance of the protective functions authorized under
section 37 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of
1956 (22 U.S.C. 2709) or section 103 of the Diplomatic
Security Act (22 U.S.C. 4802) shall be fined under this
title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the
following:
[[Page H9189]]
``118. Interference with certain protective functions.''.
SEC. 5. PERSONS EXCUSED FROM PAYMENT OF FEES FOR EXECUTION
AND ISSUANCE OF PASSPORTS.
Section 1(a) of the Act of June 4, 1920 (22 U.S.C. 214(a))
is amended--
(1) by striking ``or from a widow'' and inserting ``from a
widow''; and
(2) by inserting ``; or from an individual or individuals
abroad, returning to the United States, when the Secretary
determines that foregoing the collection of such fee is
justified for humanitarian reasons or for law enforcement
purposes'' after ``such member'' the second place it appears.
SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTRATIVELY AMEND SURCHARGES.
(a) In General.--Beginning in fiscal year 2007 and
thereafter, the Secretary of State is authorized to amend
administratively the amounts of the surcharges related to
consular services in support of enhanced border security
(provided for in the last paragraph under the heading
``diplomatic and consular programs'' under title IV of
division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005
(Public Law 108-447)) that are in addition to the passport
and immigrant visa fees in effect on January 1, 2004.
(b) Requirements.--In carrying out subsection (a) and the
provision of law described in such subsection, the Secretary
shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The amounts of the surcharges shall be reasonably
related to the costs of providing services in connection with
the activity or item for which the surcharges are charged.
(2) The aggregate amount of surcharges collected may not
exceed the aggregate amount obligated and expended for the
costs related to consular services in support of enhanced
border security incurred in connection with the activity or
item for which the surcharges are charged.
(3) A surcharge may not be collected except to the extent
the surcharge will be obligated and expended to pay the costs
related to consular services in support of enhanced border
security incurred in connection with the activity or item for
which the surcharge is charged.
(4) A surcharge shall be available for obligation and
expenditure only to pay the costs related to consular
services in support of enhanced border security incurred in
providing services in connection with the activity or item
for which the surcharge is charged.
SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES.
(a) The African Union.--Section 12 of the International
Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288f-2) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The provisions''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Under such terms and conditions as the President
shall determine, consistent with the purposes of this title,
the President is authorized to extend, or enter into an
agreement to extend, to the African Union Mission to the
United States of America, and to its members, the privileges
and immunities enjoyed by diplomatic missions accredited to
the United States, and by members of such missions, subject
to corresponding conditions and obligations.''.
(b) The Holy See.--Under such terms and conditions as the
President shall determine, the President is authorized to
extend, or to enter into an agreement to extend, to the
Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United
Nations in New York, and to its members, the privileges and
immunities enjoyed by the diplomatic missions of member
states to the United Nations, and their members, subject to
corresponding conditions and obligations.
SEC. 8. REMOVAL OF CONTRACTING PROHIBITION.
Section 406 of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and
Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4856) is amended by
striking subsection (c).
SEC. 9. PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTING.
Section 504 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act,
Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228; 22 U.S.C. 6206 note) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``broadcasters,
producers, and writers'' and inserting ``broadcasters and
other broadcasting specialists''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``December 31, 2006''
and inserting ``December 31, 2007''.
SEC. 10. PROLIFERATION INTERDICTION SUPPORT.
(a) Assistance.--Consistent with section 583 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2349bb-2), as amended by
subsection (c), the President is authorized to provide
assistance to friendly foreign countries for proliferation
detection and interdiction activities and for developing
complementary capabilities.
(b) Report on Existing Proliferation Detection and
Interdiction Assistance.--
(1) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit
to the Committee on International Relations of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate a report on proliferation and interdiction assistance.
(2) Content.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall--
(A) specify in detail, including program cost, on a
country-by-country basis, the assistance being provided by
the Department of State to train and equip personnel in
friendly foreign countries in the detection and interdiction
of proliferation-related shipments of weapons of mass
destruction, related materials and means of delivery, and
dual-use items of proliferation concern; and
(B) specify, on an agency-by-agency basis, funding that is
being transferred by the Department of State to other
executive agencies to carry out such programs.
(c) Interdiction Assistance Amendments.--Section 583 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2349bb-2) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``should ensure that'' and inserting
``shall ensure that, beginning in fiscal year 2007,'';
(B) by striking ``expended'' and inserting ``obligated'';
and
(C) by striking ``that originate from, and are destined
for, other countries'' and inserting ``to non-state actors
and states of proliferation concern''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(c) Cooperative Agreements.--In order to promote
cooperation regarding the interdiction of weapons of mass
destruction and related materials and delivery systems, the
President is authorized to conclude agreements, including
reciprocal maritime agreements, with other countries to
facilitate effective measures to prevent the transportation
of such items to non-state actors and states of proliferation
concern.
``(d) Determination and Notice to Congress.--The Secretary
of State shall notify the Committee on International
Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate in writing not more than
30 days after making a determination that any friendly
country has been determined to be a country eligible for
priority consideration of any assistance under subsection
(a). Such determination shall set forth the reasons for such
determination, and may be submitted in classified and
unclassified form, as necessary.''.
SEC. 11. SAFEGUARDING AND ELIMINATION OF CONVENTIONAL ARMS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State is authorized to
secure, remove, or eliminate stocks of man-portable air
defense systems (MANPADS), small arms and light weapons,
stockpiled munitions, abandoned ordnance, and other
conventional weapons, including tactical missile systems
(hereafter in this section referred to as ``MANPADS and other
conventional weapons''), as well as related equipment and
facilities, located outside the United States that are
determined by the Secretary to pose a proliferation threat.
(b) Elements.--The activities authorized under subsection
(a) may include the following:
(1) Humanitarian demining activities.
(2) The elimination or securing of MANPADS.
(3) The elimination or securing of other conventional
weapons.
(4) Assistance to countries in the safe handling and proper
storage of MANPADS and other conventional weapons.
(5) Cooperative programs with the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization and other international organizations to assist
countries in the safe handling and proper storage or
elimination of MANPADS and other conventional weapons.
(6) The utilization of funds for the elimination or
safeguarding of MANPADS and other conventional weapons.
(7) Activities to secure and safeguard MANPADS and other
conventional weapons.
(8) Actions to ensure that equipment and funds, including
security upgrades at locations for the storage or disposition
of MANPADS and other conventional weapons and related
equipment that are determined by the Secretary of State to
pose a proliferation threat, continue to be used for
authorized purposes.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to affect the authorities of the Secretary of
Defense.
SEC. 12. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS TO DETER THE TRANSFER OF
MANPADS.
(a) Statement of Policy.--Congress declares that it should
be the policy of the United States to hold foreign
governments accountable for knowingly transferring MANPADS to
state-sponsors of terrorism or terrorist organizations.
(b) Determination Relating to Sanctions.--
(1) In general.--If the President determines that a foreign
government knowingly transfers MANPADS to a foreign
government described in paragraph (2) or a terrorist
organization, the President shall--
(A) submit forthwith to the Committee on International
Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report containing such
determination; and
(B) impose forthwith on the transferring foreign government
the sanctions described in subsection (c).
(2) Foreign government described.--A foreign government
described in this paragraph is a foreign government that the
Secretary of State has determined, for purposes of section
6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979, section 620A
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, section 40 of the Arms
Export Control Act, or any other provision of law, is a
government that has repeatedly provided support for acts of
international terrorism.
(c) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions referred to in
subsection (b)(1)(B) are the following:
[[Page H9190]]
(1) Termination of United States Government assistance to
the transferring foreign government under the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961, except that such termination shall
not apply in the case of humanitarian assistance.
(2) Termination of United States Government--
(A) sales to the transferring foreign government of any
defense articles, defense services, or design and
construction services; and
(B) licenses for the export to the transferring foreign
government of any item on the United States Munitions List.
(3) Termination of all foreign military financing for the
transferring foreign government.
(d) Waiver.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
sanctions shall not be imposed on a transferring foreign
government under this section if the President determines and
certifies in writing to the Committee on International
Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate that the furnishing of the
assistance, sales, licensing, or financing that would
otherwise be suspended as a result of the imposition of such
sanctions is important to the national security interests of
the United States.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Defense article.--The term ``defense article'' has the
meaning given the term in section 47(3) of the Arms Export
Control Act.
(2) Defense service.--The term ``defense service'' has the
meaning given the term in section 47(4) of the Arms Export
Control Act.
(3) Design and construction services.--The term ``design
and construction services'' has the meaning given the term in
section 47(8) of the Arms Export Control Act.
(4) Foreign government.--The term ``foreign government''
includes any agency or instrumentality of a foreign
government.
(5) Manpads.--The term ``MANPADS'' means--
(A) a surface-to-air missile system designed to be man-
portable and carried and fired by a single individual; or
(B) any other surface-to-air missile system designed to be
operated and fired by more than one individual acting as a
crew and portable by several individuals.
SEC. 13. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES.
(a) War Reserves Stockpile.--
(1) Department of defense appropriations act, 2005.--
Section 12001 of the Department of Defense Appropriations
Act, 2005 (Public Law 108-287; 118 Stat. 1011), is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(2)(D), by striking ``as of the date
of enactment of this Act,''; and
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ``2'' and inserting
``4''.
(2) Foreign assistance act of 1961.--Section 514(b)(2) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h(b)(2)) is
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``$100,000,000'' and inserting
``$200,000,000''; and
(ii) by striking ``2004 and 2005'' and inserting ``2007 and
2008''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``$100,000,000'' and
inserting ``$200,000,000''.
(3) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)(B)
takes effect on August 5, 2006.
(b) Extension of Authority To Provide Loan Guarantees.--
Chapter 5 of title I of the Emergency Wartime Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2003 (Public Law 108-11), is amended in
the item relating to ``Loan Guarantees to Israel''--
(1) in the matter preceding the first proviso, by striking
``September 30, 2007'' and inserting ``September 30, 2011'';
and
(2) in the second proviso, by striking ``September 30,
2007'' and inserting ``September 30, 2011''
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, this legislation, the
Department of State Authorities Act of 2006, contains several important
provisions that will positively impact upon the safety of our country
and our citizens and promote good governance.
The legislation has been worked out in a bipartisan way with my
friend and colleague from California (Mr. Lantos) and enjoys, I
believe, very strong support on both sides of the aisle.
One provision, Mr. Speaker, would give the Secretary of State needed
flexibility in spending fraud prevention and detection fund moneys to
permit investigation of a broader array of fraud, including fraud in
connection with terrorist activity. Another would allow for the waiver
of fees for passports when U.S. citizens are caught in difficult
situations abroad, such as those who were victims of the 2004 tsunami.
A criminal provision provides for penalties when an individual
interferes with a Secret Service agent protecting a foreign dignitary.
And passage of the bill would give the President authorization to
extend privileges and immunities to the Holy See's Observer Mission to
the United Nations and to the African Union's newly established
diplomatic mission to the United States.
Mr. Speaker, the manager's amendment would also establish the
outlines of two programs under the Foreign Assistance Act. One would
provide for greater international cooperation with friendly foreign
governments with respect to the interdiction of dangerous cargo. The
second would authorize an accelerated program to secure and eliminate
particularly dangerous conventional weapons, such as man-portable air
defense systems, commonly referred to as MANPADS. I would point out
parenthetically that it was Colin Powell in one speech who said that
the largest danger, the most acute danger to aviation, whether it be
criminal or whether it be military or civilian, are these stinger-like
MANPADS. They are very, very dangerous and there are hundreds of
thousands of those out. They are very much in the black market. If
terrorists get their hands on those, we are in serious trouble. Under
the bill's provisions, sanctions could be imposed on foreign
governments who knowingly transfer such weapons to terrorists.
Finally, the bill would extend the duration of certain types of
assistance we have been providing to Israel for a number of years.
Specifically, the bill would extend for an additional 2 years the
authorization provided in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act
of 2005 for the United States to transfer to Israel obsolete or surplus
stocks in the war reserve stockpile located in Israel.
Similarly, the bill would extend for an additional 4 years a
provision in the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act of
2003 to provide loan guarantees to Israel, the authorization of which
is scheduled to expire.
Mr. Speaker, let me just say briefly, I do regret that the bill does
not contain an important provision for the reform of the Foreign
Service compensation system, a very, very well-worked-out piece of
legislation, but regrettably that was dropped from the bill.
I include an exchange of correspondence relating to this bill.
December 8, 2006.
Hon. Tom Davis,
Chairman, Committee on Government Reform, House of
Representatives, Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the bill,
H.R. 6060, the ``Department of State Authorities Act of
2006.'' The Committee on International Relations ordered the
bill reported favorably on September 13, 2006.
There are certain provisions within the bill that will be
considered by the House today that fall within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Government Reform. In the
interest of permitting the Committee on International
Relations to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration of
this bill, I request that your Committee waive its right to
sequential referral on this matter. I understand that such a
waiver only applies to this language in the bill and not to
the underlying subject matter.
I appreciate your willingness to allow us to proceed. I
will insert this exchange of letters into the Congressional
Record during the debate on this bill.
Sincerely,
Henry J. Hyde,
Chairman.
____
December 8, 2006.
Hon. Henry J. Hyde,
Chairman, Committee on International Relations, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: On September 13, 2006, the Committee on
International Relations ordered reported favorably to the
House H.R. 6060, the ``Department of State Authorities Act of
2006.'' Thank you for consulting with the Committee on
Government Reform on those matters in H.R. 6060 within the
Committee's jurisdiction. I am writing to confirm our mutual
understanding with respect to the consideration of H.R. 6060.
In the interest of expediting the House's consideration of
H.R. 6060, the Committee on Government Reform did not request
a sequential referral of the bill. However, the Committee did
so only with the understanding that this procedural route
will not prejudice the Committee's jurisdictional interest
and its prerogatives in this bill or similar legislation.
I request that you include our exchange of letters on this
matter in the Congressional Record during consideration of
this bill on the House floor. Thank you for your attention to
these matters.
Sincerely,
Tom Davis,
Chairman.
At this point, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
[[Page H9191]]
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution,
and yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, today we are considering a scaled-down State Department
Authorities bill, the State Department Reform Act of 2006, authored by
our distinguished vice chairman, Mr. Smith of New Jersey.
This legislation, while compact, contains a number of critical
authorities needed by the Secretary of State to strengthen American
diplomacy.
Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Speaker, this measure would provide the
Secretary of State with expanded authority to retain fees to support
the vastly expanded efforts of the Department to fight visa fraud and
secure America's borders.
This measure also includes enhanced law enforcement authority to
improve the ability of our diplomatic security agents to protect
diplomats and officials.
It also provides authority needed to set in place reciprocal
agreements that will provide our diplomats assigned to represent the
United States to the African Union with customary immunities.
In addition, it renews expiring contracting authority that is
required to keep our Middle East broadcasting, Radio Free Asia and
Voice of America programming on the air.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation is strongly supported by our Secretary
of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, who has urged us to pass it before the
conclusion of the current session.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation provides some timely and critical new
and expanded authorities that will strengthen U.S. diplomacy. I
strongly support its passage and I urge my colleagues to do so as well.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 2330
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, before yielding back, this is
one of the last bills, if not the last bill, that the IR committee will
consider tonight. I would just like to say as the vice chairman of the
Subcommittee on Africa, Global, Human Rights and International
Relations, I would just say a brief word about our distinguished
chairman, Chairman Hyde.
Mr. Speaker, the House just isn't going to be the same without Henry
Hyde, one of the rarest, most accomplished and most distinguished
Members of Congress ever to serve. Henry Hyde is a class act. He is a
man of deep and abiding faith. He is generous to a fault, and he has an
incisive mind that works seamlessly with his incredible sense of humor.
He is a speaker of truth in a society that all too often is willing to
accept cheap sophism, the plausible and the fraudulent.
He is a man who inspires and challenges all of us to look beyond
surface appeal arguments, and Henry Hyde compels us to take seriously
the admonitions of holy scripture to care for the downtrodden, the
vulnerable and least of our brethren. The ``Almanac of American
Policy'' has written that Henry Hyde is one of the most respected and
intellectually honest Members of the House and has proven himself as
one of the most eloquent Members as well. His speeches, they point out,
and I agree, are classics.
Mr. Speaker, in abortion debates Henry Hyde remains the great
defender of children and their moms, the champion of the most
fundamental of all human rights, the right to life. Because of the Hyde
amendment, countless young children and adults walk on this Earth. They
have had an opportunity to prosper now, and they were spared the
destruction when they were most at risk. With malice towards none,
Henry Hyde took to this microphone to politely asked us to show
compassion and respect, even love for the innocent and inconvenient
baby who was about to be annihilated. In one speech on the floor he
pointed out how important it was to be inclusive to welcome the
stranger.
As we all know, Congressman Hyde was a Congressman and is a
Congressman for 32 years, chairman for 6 of Judiciary, chairman of the
IR for 6 years as well. He has been a prodigious lawmaker, with uncanny
skill, determination and grace. He has crafted numerous bipartisan laws
and commonsense policies that have lifted people out of poverty, helped
obliterate disease, criminals off the street and has been magnificent
in the defense of democracy and freedom both here and overseas.
Finally, one of his many legislative accomplishments includes his
authorship of the President's emergency plan for AIDS relief, PEPFAR, a
5-year $15 billion plan to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
During those committees and debates on the floor, Chairman Hyde was
persuasive and highly incisive as he compared the HIV/AIDS crisis to
the bubonic plague of the 14th century, the Black Death, and challenged
us to enact a comprehensive program, which we did, to rescue the sick,
assist the dying and prevent the contagion spreading. Having served
with this brilliant one-of-a-kind lawmaker for the past 26 years, I
hope Henry Hyde knows that I and so many others will truly miss him. He
is as irreplaceable as irreplaceable can get.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to my good friend from California (Mr. Royce).
Mr. ROYCE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, very briefly, I rise in support of the bill. This bill
contains many important provisions affecting the State Department. I am
going to confine my remarks to one section of the bill. I serve as the
chairman of the Subcommittee on International Terrorism and
Nonproliferation. One of the issues that the subcommittee has focused
on is the threat posed by shoulder-fired missiles known as MANPADS.
These weapons in the hands of terrorists are a deadly threat to
civilian aviation. Unfortunately, these weapons, manufactured in China,
Bulgaria, North Korea and elsewhere are proliferating, as we heard in
the hearing earlier this year. In 2002 a shoulder-fired missile was
shot at an Israeli airliner in Kenya which managed to escape unscathed.
Unfortunately, the potential exists for many successful attacks.
The downing of a commercial airliner would take a terrible toll in
human life and be a big blow to the world economy. That is why I
introduced the Shoulder-Fired Missile Threat Reduction Act of 2006,
which has bipartisan support.
Key portions of this act are included in this bill that we are
considering tonight. It sanctions countries that knowingly transfer
these missiles to terrorist organizations or state sponsors of
terrorism, such as Iran and Iran. MANPADS in the hands of terrorists is
a serious threat that warrants a serious response. This bill puts
producing and proliferating countries on notice. I urge its passage.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6060, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds of those voting having
responded in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as
amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________