[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 173 (Thursday, October 26, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HIZBALLAH INTERNATIONAL FINANCING PREVENTION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2017

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                               speech of

                  HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 25, 2017

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 3329, the 
Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of2017. 
This is an important piece of legislation strengthening economic and 
financial sanctions on Hizballah and its enablers, and I am pleased to 
support it.
  Hizballah is an organization based in Lebanon that plays a major role 
in regional tensions in the Middle East. Based on existing 
intelligence, it is believed that Hizballah is simply being used as a 
proxy by foreign governments to fight against Israel and other western 
influences in the area. In order to prevent the situation from 
escalating, the first step is to prevent the group from being able to 
fund further military actions. H.R. 3329 would direct the President to 
apply sanctions that would freeze Hizballah's assets, prevent 
fundraising, and prevent financial institutions from working with the 
group. Furthermore, this legislation would extend financial sanctions 
to any foreign entity that provides funding to the group. The bill 
would also authorize the proper congressional committees to create 
reports on Hizballah's racketeering and international narcotics 
trafficking.
  This legislation requires the President to report valuable 
information to Congress regarding the relationships among Iran, other 
foreign countries, and the Hizballah organization. Opening up this line 
of communication will help Congress better decide how to apply future 
sanctions against these state sponsors of terrorism.
  With as many military bases as Georgia accommodates, I understand how 
conflict affects not only our nation, but also the young men and women 
who will be thrust into a needless international conflict. It is 
important that we take the necessary steps to prevent an escalation to 
prevent losing American lives in any conflict, which is why I support 
H.R. 3329.

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