Congressional Record, Volume 161 Issue 183 (Wednesday, December 16, 2015)

[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 183 (Wednesday, December 16, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H9341-H9346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

{time} 1100
HEZBOLLAH INTERNATIONAL FINANCING PREVENTION ACT OF 2015

Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the
Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 2297) to prevent Hezbollah and
associated entities from gaining access to international financial and
other institutions, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendments is as follows:
Senate amendments:

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Hizballah
International Financing Prevention Act of 2015''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Statement of policy.

TITLE I--PREVENTION OF ACCESS BY HIZBALLAH TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL
AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Sec. 101. Report on imposition of sanctions on certain satellite
providers that carry al-Manar TV.
Sec. 102. Sanctions with respect to financial institutions that engage
in certain transactions.

TITLE II--REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS ON NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING AND
SIGNIFICANT TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES OF HIZBALLAH

Sec. 201. Report and briefing on narcotics trafficking by Hizballah.
Sec. 202. Report and briefing on significant transnational criminal
activities of Hizballah.
Sec. 203. Rewards for Justice and Hizballah's fundraising, financing,
and money laundering activities.
Sec. 204. Report on activities of foreign governments to disrupt global
logistics networks and fundraising, financing, and money
laundering activities of Hizballah.

TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Rule of construction.
Sec. 302. Regulatory authority.
Sec. 303. Termination.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

It shall be the policy of the United States to--
(1) prevent Hizballah's global logistics and financial
network from operating in order to curtail funding of its
domestic and international activities; and
(2) utilize all available diplomatic, legislative, and
executive avenues to combat the global criminal activities of
Hizballah as a means to block that organization's ability to
fund its global terrorist activities.

TITLE I--PREVENTION OF ACCESS BY HIZBALLAH TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL
AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS

SEC. 101. REPORT ON IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS ON CERTAIN
SATELLITE PROVIDERS THAT CARRY AL-MANAR TV.

(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees and leadership a report
on the following:
(1) The activities of all satellite, broadcast, Internet,
or other providers that have knowingly entered into a
contractual relationship with al-Manar TV, and any affiliates
or successors thereof.

[[Page H9342]]

(2) With respect to all providers described in paragraph
(1)--
(A) an identification of those providers that have been
sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13224 (50 U.S.C. 1701
note; relating to blocking property and prohibiting
transactions with persons who commit, threaten to commit, or
support terrorism); and
(B) an identification of those providers that have not been
sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13224 and, with
respect to each such provider, any information indicating
that the provider has knowingly entered into a contractual
relationship with al-Manar TV, and any affiliates or
successors of al-Manar TV.
(b) Form of Report.--The report required by subsection (a)
shall be submitted in unclassified form to the greatest
extent possible, but may include a classified annex.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees and Leadership
Defined.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees and leadership'' means--
(1) the Speaker, the minority leader, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of
Representatives; and
(2) the majority leader, the minority leader, the Committee
on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of
the Senate.

SEC. 102. SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
THAT ENGAGE IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.

(a) Prohibitions and Conditions With Respect to Certain
Accounts Held by Foreign Financial Institutions.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall prescribe
regulations to prohibit, or impose strict conditions on, the
opening or maintaining in the United States of a
correspondent account or a payable-through account by a
foreign financial institution that the President determines,
on or after such date of enactment, engages in an activity
described in paragraph (2).
(2) Activities described.--A foreign financial institution
engages in an activity described in this paragraph if the
foreign financial institution--
(A) knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or
transactions for Hizballah;
(B) knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or
transactions of a person identified on the list of specially
designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the
Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the
Treasury and the property and interests in property of which
are blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) for acting on behalf of
or at the direction of, or being owned or controlled by,
Hizballah;
(C) knowingly engages in money laundering to carry out an
activity described in subparagraph (A) or (B); or
(D) knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or
transactions or provides significant financial services to
carry out an activity described in subparagraph (A), (B), or
(C).
(3) Penalties.--The penalties provided for in subsections
(b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to a person
that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or
causes a violation of regulations prescribed under this
subsection to the same extent that such penalties apply to a
person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection
(a) of such section 206.
(4) Procedures for judicial review of classified
information.--
(A) In general.--If a finding under this subsection, or a
prohibition, condition, or penalty imposed as a result of any
such finding, is based on classified information (as defined
in section 1(a) of the Classified Information Procedures Act
(18 U.S.C. App.)) and a court reviews the finding or the
imposition of the prohibition, condition, or penalty, the
President may submit such information to the court ex parte
and in camera.
(B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph shall
be construed to confer or imply any right to judicial review
of any finding under this subsection or any prohibition,
condition, or penalty imposed as a result of any such
finding.
(b) Waiver.--
(1) In general.--The President may waive, on a case-by-case
basis, the application of a prohibition or condition imposed
with respect to a foreign financial institution pursuant to
subsection (a) for a period of not more than 180 days, and
may renew the waiver for additional periods of not more than
180 days, on and after the date on which the President--
(A) determines that such a waiver is in the national
security interests of the United States; and
(B) submits to the appropriate congressional committees a
report describing the reasons for such determination.
(2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1)(B) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified
annex.
(c) Special Rule To Allow for Termination of Sanctionable
Activity.--The President shall not be required to apply
sanctions to a foreign financial institution described in
subsection (a) if the President certifies in writing to the
appropriate congressional committees that--
(1) the foreign financial institution--
(A) is no longer engaging in the activity described in
subsection (a)(2); or
(B) has taken and is continuing to take significant
verifiable steps toward terminating the activity described in
that subsection; and
(2) the President has received reliable assurances from the
government with primary jurisdiction over the foreign
financial institution that the foreign financial institution
will not engage in any activity described in subsection
(a)(2) in the future.
(d) Report on Foreign Central Banks.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report that--
(A) identifies each foreign central bank that the Secretary
determines engages in one or more activities described in
subsection (a)(2)(D); and
(B) provides a detailed description of each such activity.
(2) Form of report.--Each report required by paragraph (1)
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.
(e) Implementation.--The President may exercise all
authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702
and 1704) to carry out this section.
(f) Definitions.--
(1) In general.--In this section:
(A) Account; correspondent account; payable-through
account.--The terms ``account'', ``correspondent account'',
and ``payable-through account'' have the meanings given those
terms in section 5318A of title 31, United States Code.
(B) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(i) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
(ii) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
(C) Financial institution.--The term ``financial
institution'' means a financial institution specified in
subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I),
(J), (K), (M), (N), (P), (R), (T), (Y), or (Z) of section
5312(a)(2) of title 31, United States Code.
(D) Foreign financial institution.--The term ``foreign
financial institution'' has the meaning given that term in
section 1010.605 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations.
(E) Hizballah.--The term ``Hizballah'' means--
(i) the entity known as Hizballah and designated by the
Secretary of State as a foreign terrorist organization
pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1189); or
(ii) any person--

(I) the property or interests in property of which are
blocked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and
(II) who is identified on the list of specially designated
nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of
Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury as
an agent, instrumentality, or affiliate of Hizballah.

(F) Money laundering.--The term ``money laundering''
includes the movement of illicit cash or cash equivalent
proceeds into, out of, or through a country, or into, out of,
or through a financial institution.
(2) Other definitions.--The President may further define
the terms used in this section in the regulations prescribed
under this section.

TITLE II--REPORTS AND BRIEFINGS ON NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING AND
SIGNIFICANT TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES OF HIZBALLAH

SEC. 201. REPORT AND BRIEFING ON NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING BY
HIZBALLAH.

(a) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees and leadership a report
on the activities of Hizballah related to narcotics
trafficking worldwide.
(2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form to the greatest extent
possible, but may include a classified annex.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after the submission
of the report required by subsection (a), the President shall
provide to the appropriate congressional committees and
leadership a briefing on--
(1) the report;
(2) procedures for designating Hizballah as a significant
foreign narcotics trafficker under the Foreign Narcotics
Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.); and
(3) Government-wide efforts to combat the narcotics
trafficking activities of Hizballah.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees and Leadership
Defined.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees and leadership'' means--
(1) the Speaker, the minority leader, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the
Committee on the Judiciary, and the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives;
and
(2) the majority leader, the minority leader, the Committee
on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs, the Committee on Finance, the Committee on the
Judiciary, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the
Senate.

SEC. 202. REPORT AND BRIEFING ON SIGNIFICANT TRANSNATIONAL
CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES OF HIZBALLAH.

(a) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees and leadership a report
on the significant transnational criminal activities of
Hizballah, including human trafficking.
(2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form to the

[[Page H9343]]

greatest extent possible, but may include a classified annex.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after the submission
of the report required by subsection (a), the President shall
provide to the appropriate congressional committees and
leadership a briefing on--
(1) the report;
(2) procedures for designating Hizballah as a significant
transnational criminal organization under Executive Order
13581 (75 Fed. Reg. 44,757); and
(3) Government-wide efforts to combat the transnational
criminal activities of Hizballah.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees and Leadership
Defined.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees and leadership'' means--
(1) the Speaker, the minority leader, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the
Committee on the Judiciary, and the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives;
and
(2) the majority leader, the minority leader, the Committee
on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs, the Committee on Finance, the Committee on the
Judiciary, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the
Senate.

SEC. 203. REWARDS FOR JUSTICE AND HIZBALLAH'S FUNDRAISING,
FINANCING, AND MONEY LAUNDERING ACTIVITIES.

(a) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report that
details actions taken by the Department of State through the
Department of State rewards program under section 36 of the
State Department Basic Authorities Act (22 U.S.C. 2708) to
obtain information on fundraising, financing, and money
laundering activities of Hizballah and its agents and
affiliates.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary
of State shall provide a briefing to the appropriate
congressional committees on the status of the actions
described in subsection (a).
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.

SEC. 204. REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO
DISRUPT GLOBAL LOGISTICS NETWORKS AND
FUNDRAISING, FINANCING, AND MONEY LAUNDERING
ACTIVITIES OF HIZBALLAH.

(a) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that includes--
(A) a list of countries that support Hizballah or in which
Hizballah maintains important portions of its global
logistics networks;
(B) with respect to each country on the list required by
subparagraph (A)--
(i) an assessment of whether the government of the country
is taking adequate measures to disrupt the global logistics
networks of Hizballah within the territory of the country;
and
(ii) in the case of a country the government of which is
not taking adequate measures to disrupt such networks--

(I) an assessment of the reasons that government is not
taking such adequate measures; and
(II) a description of measures being taken by the United
States to encourage that government to improve measures to
disrupt such networks;

(C) a list of countries in which Hizballah, or any of its
agents or affiliates, conducts significant fundraising,
financing, or money laundering activities;
(D) with respect to each country on the list required by
subparagraph (C)--
(i) an assessment of whether the government of the country
is taking adequate measures to disrupt the fundraising,
financing, or money laundering activities of Hizballah and
its agents and affiliates within the territory of the
country; and
(ii) in the case of a country the government of which is
not taking adequate measures to disrupt such activities--

(E) a list of methods that Hizballah, or any of its agents
or affiliates, utilizes to raise or transfer funds, including
trade-based money laundering, the use of foreign exchange
houses, and free-trade zones.
(2) Form.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form to the greatest extent
possible, and may contain a classified annex.
(3) Global logistics networks of hizballah.--In this
subsection, the term ``global logistics networks of
Hizballah'', ``global logistics networks'', or ``networks''
means financial, material, or technological support for, or
financial or other services in support of, Hizballah.
(b) Briefing on Hizballah's Assets and Activities Related
To Fundraising, Financing, and Money Laundering Worldwide.--
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of
State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the heads of other
applicable Federal departments and agencies shall provide to
the appropriate congressional committees a briefing on the
disposition of Hizballah's assets and activities related to
fundraising, financing, and money laundering worldwide.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Financial Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Select Committee
on Intelligence of the Senate.

TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 301. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall
apply to the authorized intelligence activities of the United
States.

SEC. 302. REGULATORY AUTHORITY.

(a) In General.--The President shall, not later than 120
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate
regulations as necessary for the implementation of this Act
and the amendments made by this Act.
(b) Notification to Congress.--Not less than 10 days before
the promulgation of regulations under subsection (a), the
President shall notify the appropriate congressional
committees of the proposed regulations and the provisions of
this Act and the amendments made by this Act that the
regulations are implementing.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.

SEC. 303. TERMINATION.

This Act shall terminate on the date that is 30 days after
the date on which the President certifies to Congress that
Hizballah--
(1) is no longer designated as a foreign terrorist
organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189); and
(2) is no longer designated for the imposition of sanctions
pursuant to Executive Order 13224 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note;
relating to blocking property and prohibiting transactions
with persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support
terrorism).
Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to prevent
Hizballah and associated entities from gaining access to
international financial and other institutions, and for other
purposes.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.

General Leave

Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include any extraneous material on this resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure.
In particular, I want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr.
Mark Meadows, for being an early leader on this issue, focusing on
Hezbollah and on this legislation.
I also want to thank Congressman David Scott of Georgia. He served
for 8 years on the Foreign Affairs Committee as vice chairman of the
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.
I would just mention that, as chairman of the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly Committee that researched and wrote the report on Iran's
nuclear weapons program, he has unique insights with respect to the
threat posed by Hezbollah--not just to Israel, but to the West. We
thank them both for their work on this measure.
I also want to thank Senators Rubio and Shaheen for recognizing the
urgency of this problem and working in a bipartisan way to ensure that
this legislation was able to pass the Senate so that today we can send
it to the President's desk.
And, most importantly, I want to thank my good friend and colleague,
the gentleman from New York, Mr. Eliot Engel, for his work to push back
against Iran and its proxies that threaten the United States and
threaten our allies globally.
Now, I will say that this day is overdue. This past May, the House
passed this bill by a vote of 423-0. In fact, last Congress the House
also passed legislation spearheaded by Mr. Meadows in the 113th
Congress 404-0, which the

[[Page H9344]]

other body failed to take up. Thankfully, this year is different
because right now, Iran is on a roll.
Last week we learned the regime test-fired another ballistic missile
in violation of two U.N. resolutions. Meanwhile, Iran continues to hold
American hostages. And its terrorist proxy--which is Hezbollah--is
wreaking havoc throughout the Middle East.
Mr. Speaker, it is critical that we confront this kind of aggression.
We cannot stand by while the Iranian regime exports violence and
exports its revolutionary ideology. That is why this legislation
targeting Hezbollah is so important.
Prior to September 11, 2001, Hezbollah was responsible--before that
attack by al Qaeda--for more American deaths than any other terrorist
organization on this planet. In 1983, Hezbollah suicide bombers struck
the U.S. marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241 American servicemen,
and in a similar attack in 1996, in Saudi Arabia, killed 19 American
servicemen.
Hezbollah continues to serve as Iran's frontline against Israel, with
100,000 rockets pointed at our ally. The terrorist group also plays a
key role in Iran's effort to prop up Syria's murderous Assad regime.
Thousands of Hezbollah fighters freely cross the border between Lebanon
and Syria to join the fight.
Unfortunately, the threat posed by Hezbollah and other Iranian
proxies is poised to become even more dangerous.
Iran is Hezbollah's primary benefactor, giving the Lebanese political
party and militant group some $200 million a year in addition to
weapons, training, intelligence, and logistical assistance as well.
Over the past few years, Iran has been forced to cut back its
financial support to Hezbollah due to the international sanctions
regime that the Obama administration will dismantle in the coming
months.
As a result of the sanctions relief due to Tehran under the Iran
deal, Hezbollah will see additional funding come its way, a boost that
will benefit Hezbollah's regional and international operations.
With more money, Hezbollah will step up its aid to Shia militias in
Iraq and Yemen in cooperation with Iran. It will increase its presence
in Syria, and, most significantly, it is going to increase its threat
to Israel.
Finally, increased funding will help Hezbollah rebuild its
capabilities beyond the Middle East. A newly enriched Hezbollah will be
more aggressive at home and abroad, boosting its destabilizing
activities inside and outside of Lebanon.
Yet, this is not a foregone conclusion. This legislation represents
an important first step in pushing back against Iran and Hezbollah and
repairing the damage that the administration's sanctions relief for
Tehran has done to our national security.
Hezbollah is worried, as this bill puts Hezbollah's sources of
financing under additional scrutiny, particularly those resources
outside of Lebanon, given that many Lebanese banks have stepped up
their game now to prevent money laundering.
It will also promote the application of advanced antiterrorism and
antimoney laundering methods to both financial institutions and
business enterprises operating as financial institutions, such as those
adopted by regional banks, including many in Lebanon.
In addition to targeting the terrorist organization's diverse
financial network, the legislation also requires the U.S. Government to
focus on Hezbollah's global logistics network and its transnational
organized criminal enterprises, including its drug smuggling
operations, key areas of expansion for that terrorist organization.
How do I know they are worried? Because they said so in their own
words. After the Senate passage of this legislation, Hezbollah issued a
formal statement condemning the Senate vote and describing it as a
``crime'' against Hezbollah. With their international networks,
particularly their most lucrative networks outside of Lebanon in Africa
and Latin America, in our crosshairs, they should be worried. They
should be worried.
I strongly urge my colleagues to support this critical measure.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in strong support of the Hezbollah International Financing
Prevention Act.
The House first passed this bipartisan legislation on May 14 by a
vote of 423-0. That is as bipartisan as you can get. On November 17,
the Senate sent the bill back to us with a number of very modest
changes. By passing it again today, we send it to the President's desk.
I want to commend my friend, Chairman Royce, for being the driving
force behind this very, very important bill. When Chairman Royce
introduced the bill, I was glad to join as an original cosponsor.
I also want to acknowledge Representatives Deutch, Meadows, and Meng
for their had work on this important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, over a decade ago, I authored the Syria Accountability
and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, which is now law. My partner,
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, and I pushed very hard for many years
to get this bill finally passed by both Houses and signed into law by
the President.
This measure aimed to end Syrian support for terrorism, including
support to groups such as Hezbollah. Since then, Hezbollah has found
new ways to siphon resources and expand its reach, all the while
working toward the same goal: to undermine Lebanese political
independence and support Iran's dangerous agenda throughout the region.
It is a bit ironic that the group that really controls Lebanon today
is not really the Lebanese Government, but it is Hezbollah, which
really has the same type of duplication, but they are stronger
militarily than the Lebanese Government. That is a shame for Lebanon.
It really is.
We know the aggregation that Hezbollah has had with Lebanon's wars
against Israel and being Iran's proxy in Syria and doing all kinds of
things that are detrimental to the world. Our laws to crack down on
this group of Hezbollah need to keep pace. Again, their goal is to
undermine Lebanese political independence and support Iran's dangerous
goals. We need to be one step ahead of them.
Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. Let's not
forget that. While the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its Quds
Force spread instability throughout the region, Iran's most destructive
terrorist tool has been Hezbollah.
Among other things, this heinous group was behind the bombings of the
U.S. Embassy and marine barracks in Lebanon and the Israel embassy and
Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Hezbollah's nefarious activities are not limited to terrorism. The
group has put down roots in drug trafficking and other forms of
transnational crime. Hezbollah has become a sophisticated and complex
terrorist organization, and we need a response adequate to meet this
challenge.
This legislation will move the ball forward by sanctioning foreign
banks for knowingly doing business with Hezbollah. We need to send a
clear message to companies getting tangled up with this terrorist
group. That message is: Walk away or face the consequences of the
United States of America.
The bill would also shine a bright light on Al-Manar, Hezbollah's
television station, itself a specially designated terrorist group.
Chairman Royce and I, working together through the years, especially
listen to what is being broadcast.
During the cold war, when we had Radio Free America and television
broadcasts, we felt that the message that the United States was getting
to these countries was very important. And we believed--both of us--
that it did, in fact, play a major role in the collapse of the Soviet
Union because they were fed the truth by us. We are strong supporters
of continuing that kind of thing.
Hezbollah uses Al-Manar for logistical propaganda and fundraising
purposes. It defies reason that this station is still carried by the
satellite providers all over the world. Can you imagine that?
Let me say that again. This legislation shines a bright light on Al-
Manar, which is Hezbollah's television station--itself, a specially
designated terrorist group--and Hezbollah uses this station for
logistical propaganda and fundraising purposes. It is outrageous that
this station is still carried by satellite providers all over the
world.

[[Page H9345]]

{time} 1115

We need to expose this puppet organization for what it is. Our
government needs new powers provided in this legislation, and I am
pleased that the House and Senate worked together to get the bill
across the finish line.
I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation; and I,
again, thank Chairman Royce for pushing this, for being the driving
force of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Indiana (Mrs. Walorski), a member of the House Committee on Armed
Services.
Mrs. WALORSKI. I thank the chairman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2297, legislation that
will impose sanctions on international financial institutions that
knowingly engage in business with Hezbollah.
Hezbollah is one of the world's largest, most dangerous, well-funded
terrorist organizations. Trained, funded, and deployed as a proxy of
the Iranian Government, with operations spanning several continents,
the Shiite group has effectively taken over the Lebanese Government and
has launched thousands of rockets at Israeli civilians.
There is no question that Hezbollah is stronger than ever. They have
murdered Americans, Israelis, Syrians, and citizens of other nations.
They have amassed an arsenal of advanced weaponry, including 150,000
rockets and missiles; have made technological advances; and have gained
battlefield experience in Syria, all which have helped turn Hezbollah
into what could be Israel's most dangerous enemy in a generation.
The bill also requires that President Obama report to Congress on
Hezbollah's involvement in its drug business, money laundering, and
other criminal activities--all of which are critical to funding its
terrorism.
We cannot jeopardize our national security and continue to ignore the
serious threat that Hezbollah poses to our country and to our allies,
including Israel. While this bill is not a silver bullet, it is a huge
step in the right direction.
I thank the chairman and the committee for their work on this
important measure.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. David Scott), who serves on the Financial Services
Committee, who was a valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee,
who has served as vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism,
Nonproliferation, and Trade. Congressman Scott is also a member of the
NATO Parliamentary Assembly. He does such a fine job, and I want
everyone to know he grew up in my district.
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman and
really appreciate that.
I, certainly, want to thank Chairman Royce for his very kind remarks
that he gave to me concerning our work.
Ladies and gentlemen of the House and ladies and gentlemen of
America, we have before us, perhaps, the most singular, significant
bill and thing that we can do right now to send a bold, powerful
message to the world that we are going to finally begin that really
intricate process, with determination, to dismantle one of the single
most horrific terrorist groups on this Earth--Hezbollah.
Now, why do I say that?
I don't say that just to get up and say a few words. I have spent 12
years on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and I have served as chairman
of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. For 3 hard years, we
did the research, and we wrote the report specifically on getting the
real truth out about Iran's nuclear weapons program. In the process of
doing that, we discovered the intricals, the tunnels and all of the
different things that gave support to Hezbollah by Iran. This is why
this is so important.
Let me just tell you that almost the single, solitary, main purpose
for Hezbollah is to destroy Israel. Make no mistake about it. Right
now, they have already got hundreds of missiles pointed toward Israel.
How can we do something right now to address this?
It is with this bill. You always follow the money, and the money
trails are so complex. You have corporations; you have dummy companies;
you also have individuals and third and fourth parties that our work
found out that Iran works through.
The language in this bill clearly points to and gives the President
of the United States the authority. As a matter of fact, it is almost
like a very strong demand and request from us in the Congress. It is
the executive branch that has investigative power. The CIA, Special
Ops, and the entire military are at its disposal, including the FBI.
We are the single most powerful nation in the world, and it is about
time we stood up and showed the world that we are no longer going to
tolerate Hezbollah and that we are no longer going to tolerate Iran's
working through these third parties to make the people of Israel suffer
and live under the conditions under which they are living.
Let me get to the other crux of this matter.
It is as I said on CNN, in my commentary, that I was fighting very
strongly against--and I talked with the President--and fighting as to
how weak the position the Iranian agreement has put us in. Sure, they
are going to get a nuclear weapon, probably within the next 9 years.
That worries us.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. But the real Achilles' heel in this
Iranian agreement is where we simultaneously lift up the sanctions on
their economy--and they are thriving now--and also unleash $150 billion
right away--cash. At the same time, we know that, with this cash,
already both Russia and China have signed agreements to get the most
sophisticated weapons there are.
This bill will help us because, in section 201, it very clearly
states that the President shall identify any country that is helping to
finance the terrorism coming out of Hezbollah. We will be able to track
this. We are sending a powerful message with this. Once Iran has this
cash, there is no boundary as to what they can use it for. I guarantee
you, because Hezbollah is an arm--a very terroristic arm--of Iran, they
will channel money there, and that will help us.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has again expired.
Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Finally, in my few minutes, ladies and
gentlemen, we can't stop there, because Israel, as I said, is a target,
and we have got to put forth a new memorandum of understanding. We need
to do this, Members of the House, and we need to do it right away. The
President and the executive branch need to go to work and start
identifying these people who are providing this support.
There is another step we have got to go through right away. We
support Israel with a memorandum of understanding in the form of
military aid. Right now, it is at $3.1 billion annually; but, ladies
and gentlemen, given the circumstances, we need to increase that to $5
billion annually.
Now, why do I say that?
I hope that my previous remarks will give support to that. At no time
has Israel needed our help as they need it now. This was, in my humble
opinion, a weak Iranian agreement. A lot was made out of it as to the
United States and Israel. We need to send a powerful, strong message
that there is no light between the United States and Israel and that we
are going to send $5 billion.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has again expired.
Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. The other point is that our current
appropriations for Israel end in 2017. I want to repeat that because I
don't think the people of America know the aid they will get. Where
would Israel be? It could have been blown away if they hadn't had the
Iron Dome; but it is because we had an understanding--a memorandum--and
because we are giving them $3.1 billion.
With all of this upsurge of terrorism all around the world now--right
here in California just last week, in Paris, and all over--we may not
think we are

[[Page H9346]]

going to war, ladies and gentlemen, but war has been declared on the
United States, on Israel, and on Europe. By George, it is time we
declared war back on them. That is why we need to increase this
memorandum of understanding to that $5 billion mark for that year, and
that will send a powerful message as to how strong Israel and the
United States' relationship is.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on
Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International
Organizations.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank the gentleman.
First of all, let me thank our distinguished chairman for offering
yet another important bill in the fight against terrorism, especially
as it relates to Hezbollah. The Hezbollah International Financing
Prevention Act of 2015, has been very adequately explained by both the
chairman and the ranking member. I don't want to be redundant, but it
is a very, very important bill that will make a difference.
Hezbollah, as we all know, is a terrorist organization and is a proxy
of the Iranian regime, which directly threatens our close ally Israel
as well as ourselves. This bill would help hobble Hezbollah's ability
to finance its terrorist activities, and it is strongly deserving of
the support of every Member of this Chamber.
This bill sends a message to the administration. It seeks to mitigate
at least some of the damage that has been unleashed by President
Obama's misguided policy towards Iran, and by an egregiously flawed
nuclear arms deal that lifts sanctions that will free up billions of
dollars for the regime in Tehran to finance anti-American and anti-
Israel terror groups, such as Hezbollah.
Let's not forget that Hezbollah is an organization that has attacked
Americans. It not only fires missiles unprovoked--like Hamas--into
Israel, but it finances all sorts of terror and bombings, including of
U.S. Embassies. Many of the terrorists associated with Hezbollah were
involved with the killing of the marines back in the early 1980s. One
of those marines was Paul Innocenzi, from my district--from my
hometown--who left behind his dear wife and children. She was left a
widow, as were many others, by that horrific act of terrorism.
I ask Members to support this bill. Again, I thank Chairman Royce for
his leadership. I will remind my colleagues that, I think, to date, the
chairman has had about 35--three dozen--hearings on Iran and on issues
related to Iran. Every aspect of our misguided policy has been focused
upon, as have the ideas that seek, to mitigate the damage. This is one
of those initiatives. Interdict the money flow, and you can help to
stop some of the terrorism.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Colleagues, in closing, we all know too well that Iran is the world's
leading state sponsor of terror and that its most destructive terrorist
tool is Hezbollah. This group's nefarious activities are not limited to
terrorism. They range from drug trafficking to other forms of illicit
activity. Hezbollah has transformed into one of the world's most
sophisticated and complex and dangerous terror organizations.
H.R. 2297 is the adequate response to meet this challenge. On the
terror financing front, this bill would move the ball forward by
sanctioning foreign banks for knowingly doing business with Hezbollah.
The bill would also expose Hezbollah's television apparatus, as I
mentioned before, Al-Manar, which is used for logistical, propaganda,
and fundraising purposes.

{time} 1130

Again, I want to commend Chairman Royce and commend all the other
people who worked so hard making this a reality. This will be signed
into law. This will go to the President's desk. I think we can all be
proud, once again, of the bipartisan way in which the Foreign Affairs
Committee works.
I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I would just remind our colleague that, yes, indeed, Hezbollah has
cost the lives of 260 marines and other U.S. service personnel.
I would share with you that in 2006, during the second Lebanon war--
during the Hezbollah war, as I would call it--I was in Haifa. At that
time, I witnessed what were probably 4,000 to 5,000 rockets being fired
over a period of time into Israel and saw firsthand the human cost of
this.
I mentioned the 260 marines that died in two attacks. Going down to
the trauma hospital and seeing firsthand the 600 victims of those
Hezbollah attacks, including the realization that Hezbollah had
tunnelled underneath Israel's territory to bring fighters up within
Israel, you see the impact that Iran's encouragement, money, and
training is having on these terrorist fighters, and you see the
consequence and the cost in terms of human lives lost.
Representative Eliot Engel and I, after the Gaza conflict, by the
way, were in one of these tunnels that came up right outside of a
school. This one was coming from Hamas but, again, financed by Iran.
The engineering work for the tunnels in Lebanon underneath the border
there was, again, done by Iran.
You look at these rockets, whether they are the antiaircraft rockets
or the antiship rockets and missiles or the ground-to-ground missiles,
where do they get these rockets? They get them from Iran. When I was in
Haifa, there were maybe 15,000 of those rockets. Today, as you know,
there are over 100,000.
Mr. Engel and I have held a number of hearings on this subject. But
those 100,000 rockets have a much longer range, again, thanks to Iran.
Hezbollah, in the meantime, is gaining in its position and strength
monetarily, both from the money it gets from Iran and from its
clandestine activities in smuggling. We have an opportunity with this
legislation to cut off its international financing.
I want to thank my colleagues for their work because we have got to
have a strategy that cuts off their illicit activities and that holds
other countries and banking systems accountable. We have got to go
after the vulnerabilities that Hezbollah has in terms of sustaining
this terror network. Let's cut off their cash and their support system
with this legislation. I urge passage.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill, H.R. 2297.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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