[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.
____________________