[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 23, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H1557-H1560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONDEMNING THE TERRORIST ATTACKS IN BRUSSELS

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 658) condemning in the strongest terms the 
terrorist attacks in Brussels on March 22, 2016, which murdered more 
than 30 innocent people, and severely wounded many more.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 658

       Whereas, on March 22, 2016, at least three Islamist 
     terrorists conducted coordinated attacks against two sites in 
     Brussels, Belgium, resulting in the loss of more than 30 
     innocent lives and the severe wounding of many more innocent 
     civilians;
       Whereas a number of American citizens are among those 
     wounded;
       Whereas the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has 
     claimed responsibility for the attacks;
       Whereas the brutal attacks at the Brussels airport and the 
     Maelbeek metro station are the latest in a series of assaults 
     by ISIS in Europe, including the November 13, 2015, terrorist 
     attacks in Paris, France, that were deliberately aimed at 
     killing and maiming as many innocent people as possible;
       Whereas Belgian first responders and law enforcement 
     reacted swiftly and heroically, caring for the wounded and 
     taking immediate measures to prevent additional attacks and 
     the further loss of life;
       Whereas at least two of the terrorists were killed in the 
     suicide bombings, and Belgian intelligence and law 
     enforcement are pursuing others possibly connected to these 
     attacks and to those in Paris;
       Whereas Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel called the 
     attacks ``a black moment'' for the country and urged his 
     fellow citizens to stay united in their response;
       Whereas Belgium and its capital Brussels are the symbolic 
     center of the alliance between the United States and Europe 
     that was created following the devastation of World War II, 
     including by hosting on its territory the headquarters of the 
     North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the 
     institutions of the European Union;
       Whereas Belgium and the United States have maintained 
     strong ties based on shared values since Belgium's 
     independence in 1831;
       Whereas Belgium was a founding member of NATO in 1949 and 
     has been a steadfast ally of the United States in the decades 
     since;
       Whereas, on September 12, 2001, for the first time in the 
     history of the Alliance, Belgium joined our NATO allies to 
     invoke Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty that states 
     ``an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or 
     North America shall be considered an attack against them 
     all'';
       Whereas Belgium has been a steadfast partner of the United 
     States in the international effort to defeat ISIS and other 
     terrorist threats;
       Whereas the coordination of these attacks, following the 
     terrorist assaults in Paris and in several other countries, 
     demonstrates that ISIS members continue to plan and execute 
     attacks, targeting United States interests and allies;
       Whereas continued and enhanced intelligence cooperation, 
     law enforcement engagement, and information sharing on 
     emerging threats and identified Islamist extremists is 
     essential to enhancing security for the people of the United 
     States, Europe, and our allies around the world;
       Whereas the loss of innocent lives in Brussels strengthens 
     our resolve to defeat ISIS and its terrorist affiliates which 
     pose a growing threat to international peace and stability; 
     and
       Whereas we stand in solidarity with our Belgian allies in 
     their time of national mourning, ready to provide assistance 
     in bringing to justice all those involved with the planning 
     and execution of these attacks, as well as identifying and 
     disrupting any plans to undertake similar assaults in the 
     future: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks 
     in Brussels on March 22, 2016, which murdered more than 30 
     innocent people, and severely wounded many more;
       (2) expresses its deepest sympathies and condolences for 
     those killed and injured in the attacks and for their 
     families and friends;
       (3) pledges support for the Government of Belgium in its 
     efforts to bring to justice all those involved with the 
     planning and execution of these terrorist attacks;
       (4) declares that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria 
     (ISIS) poses a fundamental threat to the universal value of 
     freedom in all countries;
       (5) remains concerned regarding the flow of foreign 
     fighters to and from the Middle East and West and North 
     Africa and the threat posed by these individuals; and
       (6) expresses its readiness to assist the Government and 
     people of Belgium to respond to the threat posed by ISIS and 
     its terrorist affiliates.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Poe) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.

                              {time}  0915


                             General Leave

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 
658, condemning the series of terrorist attacks in Belgium carried out 
by Islamic extremists yesterday.
  I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), 
chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution, 
condemning the terrorist attacks in Brussels carried out by Islamist 
extremists yesterday.
  ISIS terrorists have once again struck in Europe, and this time in 
Belgium. The murderers coldly chose crowded areas at the Brussels 
Airport and at the metro system in order to kill and maim as many 
innocent men, women, and children as possible. And the latest numbers 
are 31 dead and 270 wounded, including a number of Americans.
  ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks, the latest in a 
series that includes an horrific attack in Brussels, the attack in 
Paris, a double suicide bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, and the boast of 
responsibility for downing a Russian passenger jet in Egypt's Sinai 
Peninsula. The list of atrocities is far

[[Page H1558]]

longer, including those by ISIS affiliates elsewhere, such as the 
recent attack in Ivory Coast.
  As these and other assaults show, ISIS is rapidly expanding its reach 
beyond its bases in Syria and in Iraq. Over 30,000 fighters from more 
than 100 countries have joined ISIS, including more than 250 Americans. 
We had a young Yazidi girl tell us that she was taken as a concubine by 
one of these Americans who had been recruited 4 years ago on the 
Internet by ISIS.
  More than 4,500 of this terrorist diaspora hold Western passports and 
are but a plane ride away, a plane ride away from the United States and 
from Europe.
  This resolution puts the House on record as condemning the attacks in 
Brussels and extends our sympathies to those affected by this tragedy, 
and it reaffirms our support for the people of Belgium in their time of 
national anguish.
  But we must do more than just express our sorrow. We must take 
decisive action to eliminate the threat, including expanding 
information-sharing with our friends and allies, putting stronger 
border checks in place, combating the online propaganda and hate speech 
of ISIS extremists, and sharpening coalition efforts to destroy ISIS 
itself.
  I will remind the Members that our committee, the Foreign Affairs 
Committee, has held a series of hearings on this. When ISIS came out of 
Raqqa in the first place and headed towards the border and headed 
towards Fallujah, that was the time to hit this so-called JV team.
  This group of guys in pickup trucks, as the President called them at 
the time, were an open target on the open desert as they headed to 
Fallujah and, after that, as they headed to city after city after city 
without us using our airpower to hit them early on. They finally took 
Mosul and, with it, they took the Central Bank of Iraq.
  At this point, they have to be destroyed, and it is going to take a 
strategic plan to make certain the United States leads in that effort. 
We need to get it done.
  Mr. KEATING. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 658, a resolution 
condemning yesterday's tragic attack in Brussels, Belgium.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my colleague from Texas, Judge Ted Poe, chairman 
of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee, on which I 
serve as the ranking member, in expressing my deepest condolences to 
the victims, families, and loved ones of those affected by yesterday's 
brutal attacks.
  The resolution before us today strongly condemns the terrorist 
attacks perpetrated in Brussels yesterday and expresses the sympathy of 
the House of Representatives for the people of Belgium. With the 
strength of the U.S. intelligence community, we pledge our support for 
the Belgian Government in its efforts to investigate and to bring to 
justice all those involved with the planning and execution of these 
deadly plans.
  Belgium remains one of our strongest allies, a nation with which we 
have worked closely in bilateral and multilateral arenas. Belgium was 
on our side as an active participant in the International Security 
Assistance Force in Afghanistan, as a leader in the European Union 
mission in Mali, and as an ally in the 2010-2011 NATO operations in 
Libya.
  As host of the European Union and NATO headquarters, Belgium--
Brussels, in particular--represents both a symbolic and a concrete role 
in promoting transatlantic cooperation between our two countries and 
our allies.
  It is not by accident that the Maelbeek metro station and the 
Brussels Airport were selected as the site for such heinous violence. 
Nearby, a mere stone's throw from the Maelbeek station, sits the 
headquarters of the European Union and numerous government offices, 
including the U.S. Embassy, which is less than a mile away.
  Daily, hundreds, if not thousands of civil servants and public 
interest sector workers cross through the station on the way back and 
forth to work. And at Brussels Airport, dozens of innocent travelers 
and family members were drawn into a bloodshed that has spread from 
Iraq and Syria to the surrounding region and beyond.
  I visited both while in Europe last year on a security codel, and I 
saw, firsthand, the strong police presence providing a sense of 
security for Brussels residents and visitors.
  Due to the bravery, courage, and preparedness of Belgian law 
enforcement authorities and emergency response teams, many families 
were spared the pain of losing a loved one. And we honor, today, their 
quick action and their bravery.
  These terrorist attacks are misguided attempts to divide the global 
coalition that has come together to degrade and defeat ISIS and their 
affiliates. From Ankara, to Istanbul, to Beirut, to Baga, we recognize 
that the prominent sentiment across the Middle East identifies ISIS 
rhetoric and actions as contrary to the tolerance and teachings of 
Islam.
  While this remains an open investigation, the nature of yesterday's 
attacks hit close to home. Whether it is New York City, San Bernardino, 
or whether it is Boston--where I saw, firsthand, the resilience in 
spirit come forward that any physical attack can never conquer--we see 
that same spirit and resolve in the people of Brussels and Belgium 
today.
  The flow of foreign fighters, the traveling that they do, and the 
extenuating threat that they pose have been our top security-related 
concerns here in Congress. Congress and the administration have taken 
actions to address these issues and prevent the risk of such an attack 
here at home. We have tightened security restrictions for travelers 
from visa waiver countries who are known to have traveled to Iraq and 
Syria. We have sealed intelligence-sharing gaps between Federal, State, 
and local law enforcement, as well as our international partners in the 
intelligence community. And we are in the process of an unprecedented 
top-to-bottom review of airport security threats that will ensure our 
airports are safer than ever.
  The international community, including governments and prominent 
organizations throughout the Middle East and Muslim-majority nations, 
have spoken out against these heinous attacks. With passage of this 
resolution, the U.S. Congress joins these communities around the world 
in its condemnation of the terrorist attacks yesterday in Brussels.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I do want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Keating) for his comments, for his support of this legislation, and 
also for the privilege to work with him on our Terrorism, 
Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee, where we have had numerous 
hearings on the issue of ISIS and other terrorist groups that are 
lurking throughout the United States and the world.
  Mr. Speaker, the attacks began shortly before 8 a.m., with an 
explosion at a departure terminal at the Brussels Airport. The area was 
between two American airlines--American Airlines and Delta Air Lines--
American companies. It was believed to be a luggage bomb, followed by 
another bomb shortly thereafter.
  Then, at 9:11 a.m., Brussels time, a bomb tore through the last car 
of a subway train as it was pulling out of a station in central 
Brussels.
  Belgian officials have said that the bombings killed at least 10 at 
the airport and at least 20 at the subway station. More than 230 others 
were wounded. Details are still surfacing, but we now know that at 
least 10 Americans were wounded in the attacks. One of those was a 
member of the United States Air Force.
  Later in the afternoon, a news agency affiliated with ISIS issued a 
report bragging and claiming responsibility for the murders. Reports 
said that the attacks were in retaliation for Belgium's participation 
in a coalition against ISIS.
  Mr. Speaker, ISIS, this group that is relatively new in the terrorist 
industry, has already committed 70 terrorist attacks worldwide in 20 
countries, as of January 1 of this year, and yet this is one more. 
These attacks in Belgium occurred just 4 days after the capture of one 
of Europe's most wanted terrorists,

[[Page H1559]]

Salah Abdeslam, the sole survivor of the 10 men who carried out the 
November horrific attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.
  The attacks in Belgium made it clear to all that ISIS still maintains 
operational networks in Europe, capable of carrying out attacks abroad, 
even as security services are on highest alert. The bombing in downtown 
Brussels occurred just steps away from major institutions, as the 
ranking member, Mr. Keating, has pointed out.
  Brussels is the capital of Belgium. It is the headquarters of the 
European Union. It is the headquarters of NATO. This bombing attack 
occurred near the U.S. Embassy that is there. This area, Brussels, 
Belgium, stands and represents, really, the free world's endeavor to 
work together under democracy and liberty and those ideals that we 
value. It was no accident that Brussels was picked for the attack.
  The fact that ISIS could operate cells in Europe and manage to strike 
at the heart of European society only a few months after the Paris 
attacks should make us cognizant that our current strategy against ISIS 
is really not successful. ISIS has been able to hold on to territory 
for close to 2 years. It is from this territory in Iraq and Syria that 
it trains its fighters, recruits foreigners, and plans to launch 
attacks against not only Europe, but other countries, like the United 
States.
  Words claiming progress and success against ISIS are meaningless when 
confronted with devastating carnage like what we saw in the United 
States, in San Bernardino, and what occurred in Paris and now in 
Brussels. The United States must change its strategy against ISIS. We 
must allow ISIS no safe haven anywhere in the world. We must take away 
their capabilities to strike American cities.
  This resolution shows that the people of the United States stand 
alongside our European and Belgian allies in solidarity. The American 
people extend their deepest sympathies to those affected by the 
tragedy. Let the people of Belgium know that the United States will 
support them through this time in every way possible, and we must be 
more united in the face of this terrorist onslaught that threatens the 
very freedoms that we hold dear.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), my colleague and fellow New Englander.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I 
thank both the gentleman from Massachusetts and the gentleman from 
Texas for their extraordinary leadership on this important resolution.
  Yesterday, the world saw the face of evil in a series of cowardly and 
despicable terrorist acts that claimed the lives of 34 innocent people 
in Brussels.
  I, too, extend my thoughts and prayers to all of the families 
affected by this horrific violence.
  At the same time, Mr. Speaker, here in Congress, we must renew our 
commitment to keep Americans safe from terrorism, continue to support 
our intelligence services and law enforcement agencies in their 
critical work, and do all that is necessary to defeat and destroy these 
terrorists wherever they are.

                              {time}  0930

  Today the United States and the entire world are standing shoulder to 
shoulder with the people of Belgium. The ISIS terrorists who 
perpetrated these attacks did so in an attempt to strike fear into the 
heart of anyone who does not share their radical world views.
  We have seen these same tactics tried before in our own country: in 
San Bernardino, at the Boston Marathon, the Pentagon, the World Trade 
Center, and in a field in Pennsylvania.
  But for each time they have tried, terrorists have failed to shake 
the resolve of those they have targeted, and we will not allow them to 
succeed this time.
  The motto of the country of Belgium is ``eendracht maakt macht,'' 
``unity makes strength.'' Let there be no doubt.
  We stand today united and strong with the people of Belgium. We will 
do whatever it takes, no matter how long it takes, to help Brussels 
rebuild and to bring all those responsible to justice.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Engel), the ranking member of the full committee.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts and 
the gentleman from Texas. I am pleased to join with them on this 
matter. I am pleased to support this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, with this resolution, we are sending a clear message 
that we stand with the people of Belgium. Like my colleagues and like 
so many around the world, I am angry, I am outraged, and I am deeply, 
deeply saddened by the terrorist attacks that ripped through Brussels 
yesterday.
  My heart goes out to those whose loved ones were killed or injured, 
and I am mindful there are families here in the United States that have 
been directly touched by this violence and that we are still uncertain 
how many Americans are themselves victims.
  For me, as a New Yorker, let me speak personally because September 
11, 2001, is a scar and a stain that will never go away as long as I 
live and as long as other New Yorkers live.
  We know how it feels when hatred and violence take aim at our home. 
We know what it feels like when innocent people are killed by pure 
evil. So today we grieve with our brothers and sisters in Belgium.
  But in the midst of grief, we cannot lose focus on our work to stop 
this kind of violence. We need to stand with our Belgian friends not 
just in spirit, but in action, to figure out who was responsible for 
these attacks, how they were able to carry them out, and what it will 
take to hold them accountable.
  We need to look for new areas for collaboration in terms of 
prevention, surveillance, and information sharing. Along with our 
coalition partners, we need to press ahead in our effort to destroy 
ISIS, which has claimed responsibility for yesterday's attacks.
  How horrific, the thought that human life is so worthless to these 
terrorists. It is just absolutely amazing that they claim to be 
religious people but, instead, they are pure evil.
  ISIS terrorists and other violent extremists target democratic 
societies because they want to shatter our spirit and force us to live 
in fear. We will not allow them to succeed.
  Going forward, we will work with our Belgian partners and our other 
allies to move past this tragedy to fight terrorism, to enhance 
security, and to promote justice and democracy around the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to 
do the same. Again, I commend my good colleagues from Massachusetts and 
Texas.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers and just will 
briefly close.
  Again, I want to thank my colleague from Texas.
  In a Congress that is often divided, we speak as one. In a country 
that is sometimes divided, today we speak as one. With the citizens of 
the world who value freedom and abhor violence and value human life, we 
speak as one.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I thank 
again the ranking member of our full committee as well as the chair of 
the full committee for joining with us.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, our hearts do go out to the people of Brussels and the 
people who were killed and their families that are throughout the 
world, including those that are injured from the United States. We 
cannot bring back those lives from yesterday, but we can do something 
about the murder that occurred yesterday in Brussels.
  Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that the ISIS terror network is 
successful. ISIS exists for one reason, to murder people and, because 
of that murder and violence that they incur, to scare and to bring fear 
and terror to countries that are attacked by ISIS.
  As I mentioned earlier, they have committed terror attacks in now 20 
countries. To some extent, it seems to me that it is working because 
every time there is a terrorist attack, free

[[Page H1560]]

people react in the sense that we find more security.
  I am concerned that we are getting into the bunker mentality, people 
afraid to go anyplace and afraid to leave. Why? Because some terrorist 
attack may occur.
  It is obvious that we need to react to the crimes and these murders 
as a people that are affected by it. But we can't just be defensive 
against ISIS and other terrorist organizations. We can't just defend 
ourselves.
  We have to eliminate ISIS. They are at war with the world and people 
who don't agree with them. They are at war. Now, we probably need to 
understand that their goal is to not only kill and maim, but to cause 
fear--fear--individual fear. They use every possible way they can do 
it, from social media to bragging about the murders on YouTube.
  So we, as a people, need to understand that we are going to have to 
eliminate ISIS. We are going to have to track them down, go get them, 
and eliminate them. You can't negotiate with these people. That is out 
of the question.
  So we either just react and try to defend ourselves when they commit 
crimes or we go after them. So I hope that the United States presents a 
better strategy and lets those folks know that, to just kill anybody 
that disagrees with ISIS, their days are numbered because we are going 
to go eliminate them. We have to.
  Because they have attacked us, our response must be more than 
defensive. We must be offensive. We must let them know: you can't do 
this. You can't kill people because you don't like them, no matter 
where that occurs in the world.
  So I would hope that the United States, with our partners in other 
countries, finds an overall strategy that is successful and that 
eliminates these people who kill because of a perverted sense of their 
religion.
  But today we do mourn the loss and we show the support of our country 
with our neighbors across the seas for the crimes that have been 
committed against them.
  As the ranking member has pointed out, this is an issue that is 
totally supported by both sides of the House. The Foreign Affairs 
Committee works together on almost all issues, and this is another 
example of that.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, that is just the way it is.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise n strong support of H. Res. 658 
and in remembrance of the innocent victims who lost their lives, and 
those who were seriously injured, this morning in the barbaric attacks 
perpetrated by terrorists in Brussels, Belgium.
  Our hearts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the 
victims and our thanks and appreciation go to the first responders who 
selflessly came to the aid of their fellow members of the human family.
  Brussels will emerge from today's attacks stronger than ever and more 
firmly committed to the values and principles that have made it so 
great.
  And as Brussels recovers and responds, I hope its people take comfort 
in the certain knowledge that the people of the United States stand in 
solidarity with them.
  Today's attacks are a reminder of the common danger the free, 
democratic, and peace loving nations of the world face from those who 
reject the norms of civilized society and abuse the liberties and 
freedoms afforded them by free societies.
  Those responsible for today's crime against humanity should make no 
mistake; they will be held to account in this life and the next.
  But today our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Brussels, 
which represents everything terrorists despise: a symbol of the modern 
world where persons of differing faiths, creeds, races, and cultures 
live together in peace, harmony, and freedom.
  That symbol is recognizable to Americans because it also represents 
the American heart and spirit.
  The terrorist attacks in Brussels were horrific acts on innocent 
civilians perpetrated by depraved individuals who misuse the peaceful 
religion of Islam for their own misguided purposes.
  Their horrible and heinous acts are their responsibility, and theirs 
alone, and for which they can be assured that they alone will be held 
accountable.
  But that will come another day; today I ask a moment of silence for 
the victims killed and injured in the terrorist attacks in Brussels.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 658.
  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. POE of Texas. 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.

                          ____________________